THE FOOL-Chapter 42: Homecoming

— Three Years Ago —

Alfi was on his flight home from abroad, his eyes glued to the airplane window, a look of pure excitement etched across his face.

"Loren... finally, I'll see you again," he whispered to himself, his heart racing at the thought of reuniting with his beloved.

In his hand, he clutched a small item—something he had long been eager to give her. It was more than just a gift; it was a symbol of everything he had worked so hard for while living overseas.

After years of sacrifice and tireless work in a foreign country, Alfi had finally saved enough to offer the kind of life he believed Loren deserved. And now that he had something to show for it—something to prove his commitment—he was ready to take the next step.

Resting in the small box he held so tightly was a ring.

His heart swelled with hope and love as he imagined the moment. This wasn't just about coming home. It was about fulfilling a promise... and asking Loren to marry him.

Every inch of his expression was glowing with determination, affection, and the dream of a future he was ready to build—with her.

Excited and filled with longing to see his beloved again, Alfi finally stepped off the plane.

As soon as he set foot in the airport, he quickly inserted his old SIM card into his phone, eager to regain signal and make contact.

Without wasting a moment, he dialed Loren's number. The line rang once—then connected.

"Love! I just landed. We're finally going to see each other again!" Alfi's voice trembled slightly, full of excitement and emotion as he spoke to the woman he had missed for so long.

On the other end of the call, Loren's joyful laughter and warm voice greeted him, clearly just as thrilled to hear from him.

Alfi didn't hang up the call.

"Let's just stay on the line, love—this way we'll find each other faster once I'm out. I'm just waiting for my luggage now. It's packed with souvenirs for you," he said with a grin, eyes scanning the conveyor belt.

"Just a little longer, love... Just a few more minutes and we'll finally be together again," he whispered, unable to keep the smile from his face.

But as soon as he spotted his suitcase and stepped forward to claim it, two men—airport personnel—approached him.

"Sir, we need you to step aside for a moment. Your baggage requires additional inspection," one of them said calmly but firmly.

Alfi froze, confused. He had no idea why this was happening, but he nodded politely. Maybe it's just routine, he thought. I don't have anything to hide anyway.

He kept the call with Loren going.

"Love, hold on a bit. They said they need to inspect my bag. It's probably nothing. Just wait for me, okay?"

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Loren responded with an understanding voice, waiting patiently on the line—unaware that this was the moment everything would begin to change.

The two airport personnel glanced back at Alfi, their expressions stern and unreadable. Alfi's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Is there a problem, sir?" he asked, trying to stay calm despite the growing unease building inside him.

Moments later, the airport staff called over two uniformed police officers. One of the personnel turned to them and said, "There's something suspicious in his luggage."

"Love? What's going on? Are you okay?" Loren's voice crackled with concern on the other end of the line. She could sense that something was wrong.

"Hold on, love," Alfi replied, now clearly unsettled. He turned to the officers. "What's happening? Why are the police involved?"

One of the officers seemed to reach for something in his pocket. Alfi noticed it but was quickly blocked from seeing what it was by another officer who stepped in front of him.

"Sir, we need you to come with us," one of the policemen stated firmly.

"What? Why?" Alfi asked, his voice rising slightly. The once bright and hopeful expression on his face was quickly turning into one of dread and confusion. Sweat began to form on his forehead as the atmosphere shifted from joyful to hostile.

Another officer stepped forward—the one Alfi had seen reaching into his pocket earlier. He was now holding a single bullet in his hand.

"This was found in your luggage," the officer declared.

"What?! That's impossible!" Alfi exclaimed. "How could a bullet end up in my bag? I only packed souvenirs—chocolates, perfumes, gifts! That's all!"

But none of them seemed to be listening—not the officers, not the airport staff. Their faces remained cold and emotionless.

The commotion started drawing the attention of people nearby. Bystanders began to gather, watching curiously, whispering among themselves.

"Sir, you need to remain quiet and come with us to the station," the officer repeated sternly.

Alfi clenched his fists. Just moments ago, he was filled with excitement to see the love of his life. Now, that happiness had twisted into anger and disbelief.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

"I know this! I've seen this before!" Alfi suddenly shouted, his voice filled with rage.

"You're the ones who frame OFWs! You plant bullets in our luggage so you can extort money from us!"

He was seething, his fists clenched tightly as he glared at the airport personnel and police officers who surrounded him.

"Sir, we need you to calm down and come with us to the station," one of the officers repeated in an irritatingly steady tone—almost as if he was purposely provoking Alfi further.

Alfi had had enough.

Fueled by anger and desperation, he tried to wrestle his bag away from them, shouting for help. "Someone help me! They're framing me! These cops are planting evidence!"

But as always, the surrounding crowd did nothing.

Whispers floated in the air. People pulled out their phones, some recording the scene—but not a single one stepped in to intervene. Not one tried to help.

Alfi's frustration exploded. His movements grew more frantic, wild with disbelief and rage. That was when the two officers stepped in and handcuffed him on the spot.

"Sir, we'll continue this conversation at the station," one of them said coldly.

"You're disturbing the peace. Too many people are gathering."

And just like that, the hopeful homecoming turned into a nightmare.