The Ravages of Time

Wakas

Wakas

"Sa wakas."

Napabuntong-hininga ako habang nakatitig sa pangalan niyang nakaukit. Dahan-dahan akong napaupo sa berdeng damuhan habang nilalanghap ang masarap na simoy ng hangin.

Napadpad ang mga mata ko sa kulay puti at asul na kalangitan.

Sa wakas dahil nagkaroon na ako ng lakas na makita siya rito.

Nagawa ko nang puntahan siya rito.

Ramdam na ramdam ko kung gaano kagaan ang paligid ko ngunit gano'n naman ang kasing bigat ng nararamdaman ng puso ko.

Dahan-dahan kong inilapit ang kanang kamay ko sa pangalan niyang perpektong nakaukit sa puntod niya.

Isang luha ang tumulo mula sa mga mata ko na pumatak sa lapida niya.

Ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob upang bisitahin siya.

Ang isang luha ko kanina ay nasundan pa. Pinunasan ko ito at tipid na ngumiti.

"It's been two years."

Naramdaman kong may umupo sa tabi ko. Napalingon ako sa kanya at gano'n rin siya sa akin.

"I hope she'll rest in peace," dagdag niya.

May inilabas siyang kandila mula sa kung saan. Tatlo ang mga iyon at mabilis niyang pinailawan. Ipinatong niya ito sa taas ng kanyang puntod at inilapag ang bulaklak na inihanda niya.

Binalot kami ng katahimikan at sabay kaming napatitig sa pangalan niya.

Kahit naging masama siyang tao, hindi ko parin maiwasang hindi malungkot simula noong namatay siya. She once became a good person despite all of the bad things she did to me.

"You were also in bed for almost two years," Kuya uttered.

I smiled and nodded.

"I dreamed so long, as in, so long," I answered.

He chuckled. "I didn't ask."

I gave him my deadliest glare.

Seriously? What's with him and Oren? Lagi na lang nila akong binabara!

"Say goodbye to mom."

I faked a cough and glanced at her name again.

"Bye, Sadie—or maybe—I'll call you mom, just this one moment. Bye... Mom," I uttered and couldn't help but let my tears fall.

"We'll be good kids, mom. Don't worry," Kuya added.

He stood up and offered his hand to help me stand up. He walked first before I followed him. I once took a glance at her name for the last time.

Sadie Claire Vinco

Her name is too beautiful for her to become like this... to end up like this.

If I were to ask myself if I have already forgiven her ...

No.

I haven't.

But I am looking forward to forgiving her. I still can't today.

Her sins are all still fresh in my mind.

Maybe someday, I'll find a reason to forgive her.

It's been almost three months since I opened my eyes after sleeping for a long time. It's been almost three months since they told me what happened to Sadie.

And I just got to process everything after three months from the moment I woke up.

***