Kiss of Sunset

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26: Memory

"You good, love?" She worriedly asked. Looking at her eyes, pain started to register in my mind again. "I reassured you before that you will not experience the same phase again but looked what's happening right now, it is far from worse. I'm too vulnerable to set everything right. Pero isa lang ang alam kong sigurado ako, konting tiis na lang, ha? You will get through this."

"What do you mean 'me'? Aren't you going through this too?" I asked confused but feeling anxious.

She flashed a feeble smile. "Let's have our freedom later? Besides I want some sopas too!" She excitedly uttered. "Bring your phone too. Let's keep everything in a photograph."

She really loves to place memories in a photograph. I get it. Everything will change. Everything may be irreversible. We never know. As long as you have the time to keep everything fun, do it. Place it in a photograph, where memories are living. Afterall, only memories left in us.

Ilang minuto pa ay nakabalik na si Tita Melanie na may dala-dalang pagkain at bag. "How are you both?" Tita approached us after preparing the food. "Anak, kumusta pakiramdam mo?" Tita asked Elionhir. I almost melted when I heard her calling Elionhir 'anak'.

"Ma, ayos lang po. Wala po kayong dapat ikabahala." Sagot nito bago ngumiti. "Si Rich po?" Tanong nito.

"Marami pang ginagawa. Hayaan mo, pagkatapos niya ay dadalawin ka rin niya." Sagot naman ni Tita Melanie. "Kain muna tayo?" Aya ni Tita.

"Susubuan ko na po si Elionhir," a loud 'yes' vociferated by her that echoed along the four corners of the room. Napatingin na lang ako sa kaniya nang kalabitin niya ako. "What?" I arched my brows.

"Would you?" Tila hindi naniniwalang tanong nito. "I mean, thank you for that. I appreciated it." She softly spoke.

Tumango ako at kinuha ko na sa lamesa ang pagkain. Hindi na rin ako nahirapan na pakainin siya. Nagku-kwento rin pala siya habang kumakain. Kwinento niya kung paano siya magtrabaho sa site, kung paano siya nakipagtalo sa mga kliyenteng matataas ang pride, at kung ano-ano pa. I enjoyed listening to her. I would gladly listen to her stories even if it takes forever.

"Kyrie, thank you. It was just a small gesture yet I felt the sincerity." Napaupo na lang ako sa tabi niya. "You love me right?" Tanong nito sa akin na agad kong tinanguan. "I hope you will remember what we did and what we had... Ano kasi..." I can how she struggle to find the right word.

"Hush, love. Magpahinga ka muna at lalabas tayo." Hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti nang ngumiti ito sa akin. "Dito lang ako." Sambit ko sa kaniya.

Humiga na ito at pumikit. I saw how a tear dropped from her eyes. I held her hand and caress the back of her palm. I could sense her pain, I know it is unbearable. Alam ko ring nahihirapan siya.

"Hindi ako aalis," siniguro kong maririnig niya 'yon. "Hindi kita iiwan." I whispered.

"Paano kung ako ulit ang mang-iiwan?" Mahina pero para akong nabingi sa tanong niya. I gulped as she slowly open her weary eyes. "Paano kung iiwan na naman kita? But this time, I won't come back anymore? Paano kung..." her voice cracked.

"Nandito pa rin ako. Babalikan ko kung saan tayo nagsimula. Kaya kahit iwan mo ako, alam kong hindi ako iiwan ng pagmamahal mo." My chest hurt when I said those words. I wasn't expecting a direct question to me. "But, y-you'll fight, right?"

A moment of silence... I knew it right from there.

"Labas na tayo?" Pag-iiba niya ng usapan.

Hindi pa ako nakakapagsalita ngunit tumayo na ito at nagpaalam kay Tita Melanie. I watched how she grin when Tita Melanie approved. Lumapit na ito sa akin at hinila na ako palabas.