Saving Austin

Epilogue

-Sophia Bailey-

November 24, 2026
Wednesday 1:30 pm
Jensens District Subdivision, Ireal City

"Bye, Ma! Aalis na ako! Kailangan ko na talagang umalis!" Malapit na akong mapatid nang patakbo akong bumaba sa hagdanan dahil sa sobrang pagmamadali. Kailangan ko na talagang makarating doon at sana naman, hindi ako male-late! 

Pagkababa ko ay sinalubong ako ni Mama na may dalang isang platong puno ng sliced potatoes. May hawak pa siyang sandok. "Take care, Sophy! Pakumusta na rin sa mga kaibigan mo, ha?"

"Opo! Bye na!" Me and my Mom waved at each other when I was about to leave our gate. I really need to make it in time or else they will scold me for being late.

Because this time, they will all come with us to meet her.

Because this time, we know what will happen already. He will be in a safe condition, all thanks to Raquel. All thanks to the person we'll be seeing today.

I was very, very glad. I was glad to experience such pain and suffering that time. I was so thankful that I finally realized that it wasn't true at all---or maybe.

But what's the best part of me, being so happy right at this day? It's the part of seeing him smile at me all the time! Na hindi na ngayon ang magiging huling araw na 'yon. Makakasama na namin siya sa wakas, makikita na namin siyang ngumiti na parang nakakawala ng lahat ng problema iyon. I was so glad!

I realized that I my tears were falling while i was dashing to the main sideroad which made me stop from running in order to wipe it. Pinagtitinginan pa ako ng mga napapadaang tao kasi patuloy pa rin ako sa pag-iyak.

Ang akala nila ay may nanakit sa akin o hindi ko na napigilan ang umiyak sa sobrang lungkot. Pero gusto kong malaman nila na kabaliktaran pala ng iniisip nila ang nararamdaman ko. Nalulugod lang kasi talaga ako. Sobra!

Matapos kong punasan ang mga luhang natapos na sa pag-agos sa mukha ko, naalala ko bigla ang kuwento ng Clock Shop at ang kuwento nilang dalawa.

Siguro, hindi niya lang ginawa 'yon para kay Austin. Ginawa niya rin talaga 'yon para sa pinakaminamahal niyang tao. Naiintindihan ko siya. And I appreciate her very much. Sa oras na magkikita kami, pasasalamatan ko siya. Sobra ko siyang pasasalamatan kahit hindi niya man alam ang dahilan ko o alam niya na dati.

"A-Ate..."

I flinched that my shoulders even jumped in my surprise because the familiar voice of a guy crossed my ears. It felt like all the things went slow when I gazed at the guy who was standing right in front of me.

He's carrying a delivery box and he's wearing a very familiar jacket and pants. Natawa na lang ako sa aking isipan nang maalala ko ang sarili kong nakasuot ng damit na suot ng lalaking kaharap ko ngayon.

"A-Ako ba ang tinutukoy mo?" maalumanay kong tanong sa lalaki at nabigla ako nang mabilis itong lumapit sa akin. His face was filled with excitement when he strolled near me that I even stepped backward.

"A-Ate Sophia! I am Cedric Edward! Naaalala niyo po ba ako?"

Eh?

What did he mean by that? Hindi kaya...

Awang ang labi kong natulala.

"I-I mean," he added and he was getting red when he looked away. Hindi ito mapakali pero tila may gusto siyang sabihin.

I chuckled because of his cute gesture. "May gusto ka bang sabihin?"

"T-Teka. Do you remember me? I was actually... I was the one who was introducing myself to you when you we're still in High School!" Medyo natulala ako sa sinabi niya upang alalahanin ang tinutukoy ni Cedric.