Kiss of Sunset

Kabanata 30

Kabanata 30: Begin Again

"She's so calm," Richter said while looking at the peaceful cloudy sky. "I wonder if she's watching us right now." He chuckled.

"I'm so proud of you, Rich," I blurted out of nowhere.

Napatingin ito sa akin. "Why so serious?" Tumabi ito sa akin. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa garden ng university, nakaupo sa ilalim ng puno.

"You can still manage to put a smile on your face after all the battles you've been through." I honestly said.

"You know what, Ate made me this way. She made me realized that no matter how hard the situation is, as long as you can conquer, you can break the agony and suffering. Kung kinaya niya noon dapat kayanin ko rin." Sagot nito sa akin. "Tsaka kahit nakikita mo akong tumatawa o ngumingiti, hindi ibig sabihin na hindi na ako nalulungkot sa nangyari. Nandito pa rin 'yung sakit," he pointed his chest.

"Sabagay, we can not just let ourselves stick in a situation wherein we knew from the start that we can pass through." Sambit ko na sinang-ayunan niya. "But sometimes, we let ourselves stick on that situation because there were memories left and we needed to reminisce repeatedly for us to feel tired and be able to finally let go."

"And also sometimes, we need to move forward like nothing memorable happened for us to be able to breathe comfortably." He sounded so serious and genuine.

"Hoy! Ano na namang ine-emote-emote niyong dalawa diyan?" Halos mapasigaw ako nang biglang sumulpot si Cassie at Shaina sa gilid namin.

"Is it about Ms. Carson?" Napaupo si Shai sa harapan namin. "What exactly happened before?" Usisa pa nito.

"Kyrie," may halong pag-aalala sa boses ni Rich pero ngumiti lang ako.

Months had passed yet I could still remember everything what was happened before.

"Kyrie," I heard Rich voice.

"W-wala na siya," pinilit kong maging matatag para harapin si Rich na ngayo'y kasama na si Hope. Tumayo ako at pinuntahan ang dalawa. "Thank you for leading her to me." Tinapik ko ang balikat ni Hope. "Rich, she peacefully left. There's nothing to worry about."

"Kyrie," inalalayan nila ako nang bigla akong mapaluhod. "I'm sorry,"

"H-hindi ko na siya makikita. She left me her heart pero bakit parang tinangay niya rin buong pagkatao ko." My voice was heavy with pain and sorrow. "S-she just disappeared in the wind. B-bakit gano'n? Bakit gano'n siya kinuha sa akin?"

I lost my strength to even stand in my own feet. I feel fragile that one single pain could break me into million pieces.

"Hope, hindi na ba talaga pwede?" My voice cracked from crying. "C-can you just take my life too? C-can we forget the agreement and take me to after life? Nanalo naman ako, 'di ba? I made Rich live. P-pwede bang..." my eyes were covered with tears, "...pwede bang huwag niyo na lang kaming paghiwalayin ni Elionhir?"

"I'm sorry," Hope apologized.

"Hindi ko ba talaga deserve maging masaya?" I laughed bitterly. "Lahat na lang ng mamahalin ko, iniiwan ako. How cruel this world could be. Nagmamahal lang naman ako. Bakit kailangan ipagkait sa akin ang pagmamahal na nararapat sa akin?"

Isang nakasisilaw na liwanag ang biglang lumitaw sa kalangitan. Kasabay nito ang makapanindig balahibong boses na nanggagaling mula sa alapaap.

Her face is  enchanting, with high cheekbones, a perfectly symmetrical nose, and full, sensuous lips that are perpetually curved into a seductive smile. Her eyes are sparkling and intoxicating, and are a mesmerizing shade of ocean blue.