Lasta Sanco (A Collaborative Novel)

Epilogue

The end

Ariadne

"Hector.. I'm sorry."

"Ariadne... Please please.."

"I have to go.. It's hurting me.. So listen to me.. Okay?" I tried to smile kahit pa nahihirapan na ako. Ang hirap pigilan ng luha ko. Unti-unti na akong nagpipiraso palayo.

"Huh? Ariadne.. Ariadne!"

"Thank you.. Thank you Hector."

"Please! Stop this... Ariadne!"

"Thank you for falling in love with me... You're my dream and you just made my dream come true.. Thank you."

"Ariadne!!"

"Salamat kasi... Salamat dahil.. Sa wakas nakita mo na ako. Salamat sa ligayang pinadama mo sa'kin sa maikling panahon..."

I can't feel my left arm anymore.

I can't feel my warm anymore.

"Ariadne!!" Lalo akong napahagulgol ng buong lakas niyang tinutulak ang pader sa pagitan namin. I tried to smile at him again. Whil he's still trying to push the invisible wall. "AAARHGH!!"

"Hector.. You truly.. Truly.. Made me happy... Please.. Take care of yourself, I don't want to see you suffering because of me.. I'm sorry, I had to.. To leave." Sinubukan kong pigilan pa ang luha ngunit hindi ko talaga magawa. I can't feel myself anymore. Ang kalahati ng diwa ako ay naglaho na.

"Hector I.." Natigilan ako ng makita ang biglang pag-crack ng barrier sa pagitan namin. He's crying while giving all of his strength. I was happy he could do it.

"Hector... I love you."

Kasabay no'n ang tuluyang pagkawasak ng harang, bagay na nagpangiti sa'kin. Nawalan pa siya ng balanse but he immediately stood up and run towards me.

Sinubukan kong lumapit rin, but I can't feel my legs anymore.

I smiled one last time, hanggang sa mayakap niya ako at mayakap ko siya. I was happy.. I was happy.. I was able to hugged him one last time.

Third person

Ariadne turn into green light dusts saktong-sakto nang mayakap siya ni Hector. Mabilis sumabay sa hangin ang pira-pirasong mga liwanag na iyon. Leaving him alone beside the river.

Ang tanging nayakap nalang ni Hector ay ang mga damit ng dalaga.

He's just standing there, lowering half of his body in despair, crying so badly while hugging Ariadne's clothes. He can't help but to screaming in pain, shouting her name, wishing her to come back.

'Bakit? Bakit? Bakit? Bakit?'

****
Ariadne!? Ariadne!?" Bakas na bakas na ang pag-aalala sa mukha ni Julia habang kinakatok ang pintuan ng dalaga. "Julia!" Tawag naman ni Loid na halatang kadarating lang. "Loid!"

"Tinext ka rin ba ni Ariadne?"

"Oo! Same text din ba sa'yo?"

Agad pinakita ni Loid ang kaniyang phone sa kaibigan.

I'll be leaving any moment now, please take care of my brother.. You're the only people I could trust.

"No way.. Ariadne!? Andiyan ka ba!?" Sinubukang ikutin ni Julia ang doorknob. Pareho silang nabigla ng bumukas ito. It's not even locked.

Agad silang pumasok at naghanap sa paligid ng bahay. "Ariadne? Aravel?"

"Sa taas, tingnan natin!" Natatarantang saad ni Loid at saka sila sabay na umakyat agad sa taas. Agad nilang tinungo ang kuwarto ni Ariadne na hindi nila akalaing bukas.