Bygone Memories of Yesterday (Affliction Series #2) ✔

Epilogue

A/N: This will be the last chapter for Bygone Memories of Yesterday. I would like to thank everyone who supported me throughout this journey. This was my first time writing such genre and I'm grateful you gave it a chance. There will be ONE SPECIAL CHAPTER that can only be read on the ACTUAL BOOK. I couldn't say a lot about it aside from it's written in a different POV and is the continuation of this chapter. Details about the book will be posted soon enough.

To Conquerors and everybody reading this, once again, thank you and enjoy reading!

EPILOGUE

Pareho kaming naupo sa ilalim ng puno. May munting ngiti sa ‘king labi habang kinukunan ng litrato ang langit. 

The sky is clear and the wind is calmly blowing. It feels so peaceful. But what made it more peaceful was the presence of the man beside me.

“Kumusta ka na? It’s been months since . . .” he trailed off, not wanting to mention what happened. Ngumiti ako.

“Maayos naman. I accepted Gloriebelle’s job offer and I am supporting my parents from here. Pero ‘di rin naman ‘yon magtatagal. Sa susunod na buwan, baka uuwi na sila rito.”

“You’re staying here for good? Hindi ka na babalik ng Florida?” gulantang niyang tanong. 

Tumango ako. “Yeah. Actually, matagal ko na ‘tong pinag-isipan. I refused to come back to Florida after my work here with the thought of extending my vacation. Para makasama pa kita ng matagal. When I agreed for us to start over, I already thought of staying a little bit more than what I planned. Hindi ko sinabi sa ‘yo because I wanted to surprise you. Kaso ... shit happened. That’s when I decided, dito na lang ako. Ayoko na ulit malayo sa ‘yo.”

Inamin ko lahat ng mga hindi ko nasabi noon. Kahit naiisip ko lang, gusto ko ring ikuwento. Who knows when will I get to talk to him like this?

“You stayed for me?”

“Mm-hmm. When I agreed for us to start again, sineryoso ko ‘yon. I was eager to create more memories with you. I was certain to let you in my life again. I was ready to embrace whatever may come. Surely, it will be a rough ride. But I never expected it to be this rough.” Nagbaba ako ng tingin. I’m starting to get emotional again.

Siguro kasi ilang buwan ko ring pinigil makaramdam kaya naipon na lahat.

“Anj ...”

“I miss you everyday, Neus,” bulong ko. “I miss you so much that it hurts. Here.” I pointed to my heart and looked at him with teary eyes.  “Pakiramdam ko, kulang. Kulang ang mga alaala natin para punan ang puwang sa puso ko. Hindi sapat ang mga alaala para maging masaya ulit ako. It craves for you. My heart craves for your presence, your face, your voice, your smile — your love. Kung alam ko lang ... sana hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na ipakita sa ‘yo kung gaano kita kamahal. I wouldn’t have taken it slow and be with you again already. I would’ve gone all out just to make you feel that you are my beloved. Kasi ‘yon ka sa buhay ko.”

He shook his head. “You don’t have to regret anything kasi naramdaman ko naman ‘yung pagmamahal mo. I have always believed you love me.”

“Pero hindi sapat, Neus. I haven’t given my all yet.” Tinakpan ko ang mukha gamit ang mga palad to hide my frustration. 

Even how much I tried to discard it, the regret is there. Kahit anong takip ko, it’s always there. Hindi mawala-wala.

“Look at me, Angelique,” utos niya saka hinawakan ang mga kamay ko para maalis sa pagkakatakip ang mukha. 

He looked at me deeply. His eyes were hypnotizing that I couldn’t look away. Parang noong unang beses lang. He wiped the traces of tears in the corner of my eyes.