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XAVIER VECENTE
As i stood there my mind went blank, seeing her name carved out in stone
Celeste Dechaves
2000 - 2022
Forever in our hearts
One week ago . . .
"Ladies and gentlemen, Philippine airlines welcomes you to Manila. The local time is 11:23AM. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisles clear until we are parked at the gate." The Flight Attendant Said
"On behalf of Philippine Airlines and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice stay!" She said before everyone started to get off of the plane
I quickly got up and got off the plane, it took me a few minutes but I eventually got out of the airport and got into a cab
"Where to sir?" The driver asked, i just handed him the note Celeste gave me with the address that was written
The driver just nodded before driving off to the place that was written in the letter
As time went by whilst i sat in the car looking at the city streets a lot of thoughts flew by.. "How is she?" "How will she react when she see's me?" "Is she alright?" "How has she been?" Were only a few of those
"There's so much.. i want to say.. i want to see her.. and talk to her.. right now" I whispered under my breath
"Knock knock"
As i heard footsteps get louder and closer to the door i felt my chest beat faster and my fingers curl into a fist.. "calm down" i thought to myself as i looked down to check myself if i looked alright
"Ahh hi? Is there something you need?" A lady's voice said as the door opened, what greeted me wasn't Celeste but an older woman with a warm welcoming smile as she talked
"Ahh Good Afternoon.. does Celeste Dechaves live here?" I asked
Her eyes widened From surprise to confusion then resting with a blank expression
I took two steps back to see if i was at the right address "Blk 35 lot 4 | Dechaves Residence" it said on the sign
I heard her sigh which brought my attention back to her "What type of relation do you have with my daughter?" She asked in a stern voice
"Her boyfriend." I answered directly which made her blank expression turned to anger
"Are you really?" She asked almost scoffing at the thought of my words "yes. I am. Or atleast i think so.. we had an awry ending so i wanted to clear things up so thats why I'm here" i said
She looked up and stared at me for a few seconds before continuing "awry? Explain"
I took a deep breath before answering "about a year ago.. It was a normal day, we went out on a date, then ate together watched a movie everything seemed fine.. we even slept next to each other but then.. i woke up and she was.. gone." I explained
"I tried to look for her, call her, go to her hotel and to the places she frequented but still couldn't find her.. for a year I didn't stop coming back to the places she used to love going to.. And a month ago when i went to her favorite jewelry store, a little kid went up to me and gave me a letter.." i said as i took it out of my pocket, I quietly gave it for her to read
Little by little her expression calmed down from anger, To surprise and then sadness
Tears started to fall down her face as she read the letter "please.. let me see her and talk to her.." i pleaded
She closed her eyes and calmed herself down before giving me back the letter "alright, just give me a few seconds.. stay right here" she said as she entered the house
Not too long after the door opened again, and she came out wearing a black turtleneck and keys in her hand "get in, I'll take you to her" she said as she opened the car door
I was reluctant, but since this was Celeste's mother.. i trusted that nothing bad was going to happen
As we drove off and turned into a garden like place with shrines it made me confused as to where we were actually going "does she not live with her parents anymore?" I thought to myself
The car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road "we're here" the lady said as she got out of the car
I followed suit and opened the car door and my heart sank to what i saw.. I couldn't speak.. i felt a lump inside my throat and my hands start shaking
"Please no.." I thought
The lady started to walk away from the car and stopped. Looking down on the ground, and looked to my direction, signaling for me to come
As I walked closer each step felt like i was sinking to the ground, i felt my legs start to feel numb and my hands shaking more and more with my heart beating faster and faster
As i stood next to her she looked down again "There she is.. Celeste, my lovely daughter"
My legs gave in and i fell on my knees as tears started to fall from my eyes
"Please let this be a cruel joke, a Nightmare please let me wake up.. No it can't be" as my thoughts spiraled my cries echoed through the cemetery.
Present Time
"I wanted to talk to you, i had so many things i wanted to tell you.. So many things i wanted to ask.." i spoke to the wind as i stared at her tombstone
"I made a lot of promises I couldn't do.. So your last wish is the only one that i have left to keep"
"You told me in the note 'don't cry when I think of you' and Everytime I don't.."
"I Almost do.."
The End
YOU ARE READING
I Almost Do
Short StoryRed Series #6 : I Almost Do I had a dream the other day You were there. Saying all the sweet words you used to say You asked me "why did you leave?" "comeback, i missed you" But if i stayed i thought of the pain you'd have to go through So i left...
