Was Ready For Brent (Varsity Series:1)

TWENTY

His heart stop beating.

The moment after I said Yes to him, his body surrender. My tears cannot stop flowing as it sync the cry of the waves.  I embrace his cold body endlessly. Humagulhol ako. Nilabas ko lahat ng luha ko. Para nang sasabog ang puso ko sa sobrang sakit.

He probably just waited to slid his vow ring through my finger because he knew himself that he will not able to make it. We will not have the chance to greet each other a 'Happy Married!'. I lean my head onto his chest and my tears overflow when it really sink in to me...wala na talaga.

"B-Brent...mahal.."paulit ulit kong binabanggit iyon.

Hanggang sa naramdaman ko nalang na may kumalabit sa akin at diretsahang niyakap ako. It was Acel, together with Deo and Timothy. Sinabunutan ni Deo ang sarili at napahilamos naman si Timothy habang pinagmamasdan ang wala ng buhay na katawan ni Brent. 

They cried it out. They loss their brother. The best brother.

It took a while for them before they hug Brent's body.

"Ayan kana naman eh, palagi kang nauuna.."Deo sobs.

Nagtago ako sa dibdib ni Acel. Kahit si Acel ay naririnig ko ang mahinang iyak niya. Timothy grab his last chance to hold Brent's hand.

"H-Hindi mo man lang kami hinintay.. Madaya ka talaga palagi.."it's Tim this time.

Umiling iling ako na halos ayaw na bumitiw kay Acel."H-hindi ko t-talaga kaya..."

Humigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin."Hush...nandito ako. Hanggang dun lang talaga Shan eh, wala na tayong magagawa pa."

We gave off space for Yara's car. Dahan-dahang binuhat nina Timothy at Deo si Brent kasama ang ibang staff ng Elyu pasakay sa sasakyan ni Yara. Nasa labas ng resort ang porlon at itatransfer roon si Brent. Lumapit sa akin si Yara at mabilis akong niyakap.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Brent was a great man, God will give him the best life in heaven."she whispered.

Sumabay ako sa sasakyan ni Yara. Nasa likod ako at yakap-yakap ang katawan ni Brent. Kahit pa noong nakalabas na kami ng resort ay hindi tumitigil ang agos ng mga luha ko. Nasa loob ako ng porlon at hawak-hawak ang kamay ni Brent. Sumabay sina Deo pabalik ng Manila habang naiwan naman sila Acel para asikasuhin ang mga gamit namin ni Brent sa villa.

While holding his hand, a lot of memories came into my mind. Bumalik lahat ng mga ala-ala naming dalawa. Simula pagkabata ay magkasama na kami kaya hindi mapupunan ang bawat araw na kasama ko siya. It seems like Shannel and Brent in all always. 

It all came back. Tuwing sinusundo niya ako sa bahay para maglaro kami sa basketball court. Yung mga liga nila na palagi naming pinapanood ni Acel. yung paghatid-sundo niya sa'kin na tila ba ay hindi man lang magawang mapagod. Yung mga gawain namin dati na halos ayaw ng umalis sa Trish's dahil sa blueberry cheesecake. Yung sa bawat araw ng exam ko ay nakaabang na siya sa gate kapag hapon at may hawak na bouquet. Lahat-lahat. 

Halos bawat galaw ko na ay kasama ko si Brent. How will I be able to do things without him now? Halos sinukuan ko nga ang pitong taon...paano na ngayon na hindi na talaga babalik. Kahit mamiss ko pa siya minu-minuto, wala na akong magagawa. Hindi na pwedeng itext o tawagan kasi yung pagkawala panghabang-buhay na. Hindi na kailanman babalik pa.

"Can I get his name please, Ma'am?"

I look upon the staff of the burial. I smiled weakly at him."He is Brent..."I paused for a moment and gulp as I felt my tears in the corner of my eyes again."Brent Edison Gimenez."

His cousins and other relatives help me to assist his burial. I bought the goldest coffin for him because he is the brightest for me. At the first day of his wake, I talk to him, I talk non-stop as if he'll be able to answer or respond. I talk to him until noon. Nang mag-ala una ng hapon, dumating ang mga kasamahan ni Brent sa hospital. All of them cried while thanking Brent for letting them have a successful life. Sunod-sunod namang dumating ang mga blockmates niya noong college. Ang ka-teammates at couch niya na agad namang inasikaso nina Deo at Tim.