The Way He Smashes Her Heart

Chapter 56: The Cliff-Hanger; Kristel's Return

<Elnor's point of view>

Sumakay na kami nina Allen at Angie sa jeep papuntang Meitan Montessori School. Pwede naman akong umalis dahil andoon sila Tito at Tita para bantayan si Kian doon. Kailangan ko kasing hanapin yung box na iniwan ni Sir Cris doon. Pagbaba ng jeep, pumasok kami sa Gate 1 ng dati naming elementary school. Binati kami ng aming principal at sinabi namin na bibistahin lang namin ang cliff. Good thing she allowed us to.

The cliff was located behind the school. Sa cliff na iyon ay doon mo makikita ang sapa na sobrang malinis ang tubig. The cliff has flowers and other colorful plants na naka-tanim doon. Today is Saturday at meron kaming nakikitang mga estudyante nag-siswimming sa sapa. Farewell party nila daw.

"Set aside the farewell party first. Let us find the box right now." sabi ko. Kailangan na din namin na magsalita ng English dahil English-speaking environment dito.

"Yes, Ma'am!" Allen and Angie replied as we split up. Naghahanap sila sa may mga halaman at ako naman ay sa mga puno na naka-paligid sa cliff. Minutes passed ng paghahanap...

"I found it!" Allen let out a triumphant cry. Nahanap niya yata ang box. Nagtipon kaming tatlo sa pwesto ni Allen to check the box. Medyo nahirapan kaming buksan ang box dahil ito ay naka-tape na pang electric wire. Pinagtulungan namin ang box at dahil doon ay muntik nang mai-squash ang box.

After we removed all the tape and opened the box, there is another one inside. Same trick to the boxes I recieved way back. When we reached the smallest box, it is labeled "For you, Elnor J. Caspor"

"Well, I guess Elnor will be the one to look whats inside." Angie said and they backed away, leaving me and the box. I carefully opened it and I saw pictures .... pictures of Angie, Allen, Kristel, Kian and I. "Look!" I said telling them to come over.

Medyo maluma-luma na yung mga photo pero naging safe ito sa loob ng box na naka-electric tape. We looked on the memories three years ago. Paparazzi din yata ito si Sir.

"Elnor, look at this. Isn't this beautiful?" Angie said as she caught my attention. She found something yellow in the box. Wait. No, it's not yellow. It's gold. A golden shuttlecock. Napa-wow ako sa sobrang ganda nito. I hold it. Isang lang siyang ordinary shuttlecock pero gold ang kulay.

"Who owns this?" I asked.

"I dunno." Allen replied. "Me either." Angie added.

I looked at the shuttlecock and I thought maybe this was Kian's. Pero kung babalikan natin yung time noon ay wala akong maalala na may ganito siyang shuttlecock.

"I am going to find out who." sabi ko.

We got now the box at kailangan na naming umalis. Habang naglalakad pabalik ng school, yung mga bulaklak at ang mga halaman doon ay sabay-sabay na nalalanta. Lahat ng mga dahon nito ay nag-uumpisang namamatay.

"Anong nagyayari dito?" I asked. I heard Angie mumbled a "No". Looks like she's upset on what is happening right now. The colorful Meitan cliff is turning into an old and unattactive cliff.

"What is the matter?" I asked again and my two best friends gave me a sad look. Then, nagsalita si Allen, "Wala na."

"When plants and trees here are starting to die, the cliff will loose it's miracles and it will loose it's ability to grant wishes anymore." Angie said.

No, it can't be right! Hindi pwede! Kailangan ko pa na mag-wish sa Meitan Cliff na sana gumaling si Kian sa kanyang sakit. I ran back to the cliff then despite how it looks and my friends' voices, ipinikit ko ang aking mata at nag-concentrate.

"Cliff, I wish Kian will be healed so he can stay with me for a long time."

The wind blew really hard. Nagsiliparan ang mga dahon as a sign na invalid ang wish ko. Dahil una sa lahat, hindi pa February 15. I looked at my surroundings. Kalbo na ang mga puno, tuyung-tuyo na ang mga bulaklak. Parang binagyo ang Meitan cliff. It is all.... over.

I looked down, convincing myself to accept the truth. Kian will surely die any moment now. Ang maskit pa doon, I did nothing to save him. Lumapit sa akin sila Allen at Angie and they comforted me. Together with the box and it's contents, we went back to Damonca with sadness and disappointment on our faces.

When we arrived, kami muna ang in-charge sa pagbantay kay Kian. This time, tulog siya. Sabi ng doktor na kailangan niya na magpahinga. Alam mo naman, napagod siya sa pakikipagkwentuhan sa mga bisita kanina. After that, umuwi na rin sila Allen at Angie. Sabi nila na bibisita ulit sila sa susunod.

Pagsapit ng gabi ay pinapatawag sila Tito at Tita ng doktor. Sasama na rin ako dahil importante daw ang sasabihin niya. Debale malapit lang ang office ng doktor sa room ni Kian. When I'm about to open the door ay doon nagising si Kian.

"Elnor, saan ka pupunta?" tanong niya. "You are leaving again."

"Pinapatawag kami ng doktor. Importante daw." I answered.

Tapos bumangon siya sa kanyang kama and he sat down. "Kindly call my parents."

"Bakit?"

"Just call them, Elnor. It's urgent."

Napa-okay nalang ako at tinawag ko sila Tito Kiko at Tita Jolina. Naghintay ako sa doctor's office in a few minutes. Suddenly, Tito Kiko want me to stay outside the room. Kian requested na sa kwarto nalang sila mag-uusap para malaman din niya kung ano ang sasabihin ng doktor. Usapang pamilya din daw nila so hindi ako pwedeng makialam. I just follow.

Pumasok ang doktor sa may kwarto at ako naman ay naglakad-lakad muna sa may ospital. Wala akong kamalay-malay na nakarating na pala ako sa second floor. Habang naglalakad at tumitingin sa mga poster, meron akong nakitang isang babae na umiiyak sa may waiting area. Nilapitan ko siya.

"Bakit ka umiiyak?" tanong ko sa babae.

"Namatay ang lolo ko. Mamimiss ko po siya ng sobra." she replied.

Now that made me think. Feeling ko I am going to this kind of situation one day. It might happen anytime. I understand her. Pag sumakabilang buhay ang taong mahal mo, you will surely, badly miss him or her so much. Kaya payo ko sa inyong lahat, mahalin ninyo ng sobra ang mga taong mahahalaga sa inyo hangga't maaga pa. I sat down beside the girl and tapped her shoulder.

"Alam mo, mawala man ang lolo mo, mahal na mahal ka nun. He may die but his love will stay forever." and I think I am also giving myself an advice.

"Wow, english speaking ka, ate? Galing kang Meitan Montessori?" wow ah, wait alam niya ang dati kong school? Sikat na yata yun dahil nga English-speaking school.

"Oo. Elementary graduate ako doon."

"Me too!" sabi niya, nag-umpisa na kaming nag-englishan.

"You studied from there. What is your name?" I asked. The girl smiled at me. That moment made her face looked familiar to me. Nakita ko na yung dating cute smile na ito. Hindi kaya siya si...

"The name's Kristel."

Siya si Kristel! I knew it! Siya yung kasama ko na cute na grade four noong intrams. She already grew up. Until now, she is still cute!

"And you are?"

"You can't remember me? Ako yung tinatawag mong 'mommy' noon!" I said as I'm giving a hint to introduce myself. Her eyes widened and her tears were replaced with a big smile. "Mommy Elnor!"

Next Elnor's hint: letter
Stay tuned!