Class Picture 2 : Moriendo Renascor (Published under Cloak Pop Ficion)

Epilogue:Dreams Do Come True

Sakura

Today's the day. My whole life's about to change in the matter of hours. My worries and negativity were washed away by his words. It faded quickly whenever I hear his I love yous. God, why did you gave him to my life? I have sinned a lot of times. I even painted my both hands red just to survive in this world you've created. Thank you for letting me breathe life and learn to hope again for new beginnings. I saw myself in the mirror, wearing a magical smile in my face. I guess it's really true. You do remember a lot of stuff whenever you're getting in a new stage of your life. Totoo nga ang sinasabi nila. Maaalala mo lahat ng memories na nangyari sa'yo from the past. I remembered the time when me and my little sister Zoey always role plays to be princesses. Pretending that our long pink blankets are our gowns. Wearing our little pinned crowns on our head while holding our own hand made DIY pink scepters from our mothers. That memory was a perfect picture of sisters, sharing happiness during their childhood. As soon as the image stylist left the room, I walked in front of the cabinet. 

"Zoey." Mahinang bulong ko sa sarili ko habang pinagmamasdan ang isang locket. Dahan-dahan ko itong binuksan at nakita ang litrato naming dalawa. Ako ang nasa kanan, at siya naman ang nasa kaliwa. We're both highschoolers in this photos na, paano ba naman kasi, masyadong chaotic ang family issues namin. I don't even expect na magiging maayos pa kami. God do plans mysteriously. If you're just going to believe in him, everything will be in good hands. Let him be the author of your life. The smile on my face doesn't lasted long enough. There's this weird feeling in my chest that keeps aching whenever I see her face. Lahat ng masasakit na nangyari sa kanya, it all comes back. Yung makita mo siyang namamatay sa harapan mo, pero wala kang magawa. The healed wounds and scars suddenly becomes fresh again. 

"I wish you can come in my wedding, Zoe. Naaalala mo pa ba yung sinabi mo sa'kin by the time na una tayong naging okay? Sabi mo, after college, I need to get a boyfriend. I need to have someone who's going to take good care of me. It's kinda funny na nirequest mo pang si Zack ang lalaking iyon. Sabi mo sa'kin, you can see us being together in the future. Yung tipong ako ang prinsesa sa isang penikula, at siya naman ang prinsipe na laging handa para alagaan at ipagtanggol ako sa lahat ng kasamaan. But what did I replied? I said na no. This world is not like that. Sabi ko pa nga, na itigil mo ang kahibangan mo na maniwala sa mga ganoong bagay. I told you that everything in this world is good for a short-term only. Everything in this world is destined to change someday, even love." Bulong ko sa sarili ko, suddenly, there's this butterfly that entered the room. Looks like the image stylist forgot to completely close the door. It has a very playful palette that's kinda surreal from the ordinary ones. Dahan-dahan 'tong dumapo sa aking balikat. I suddenly felt a chill by the time it landed.

"But even though I gave you a pessimist answer, your sweet smile never faded. Your eyes that is filled with optimism shined through mine. Ang sagot mo lang sa'kin non na one must learn how to live first, before he or she can love someone. It left me hanging. I even asked you what's the meaning of that quote you gave me, but you refused to explain it. Sabi mo, na only I can solve the mystery of the quote. I guess it really is true. The day that I believed in life again is the same day that I opened my heart for someone."

I heard a couple of knock-knock's in the door. It's Karmina. She was one of people who made this day possible. She smiled gently and whispered, "Yung teacher kong laging nakasimangot lagi, nakangiti na." Wika niya, na nasundan ng pagyakap. "Thank you." Bulong ko sa kanya habang yakap-yakap siya. "No ma'am. We should be the ones who are need to be thankful for you. Thank you for not giving up the moment we've experienced hell. Thank you for giving us second lives." Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at tumango. "Ma'am, it's time for your life to change." Wika niya. Ihinatid niya ako sa kalesa na napapaligiran ng iba't-ibang klaseng bulalak. Sinenyasan niya ang driver at tumungo na kami papuntang simbahan.