Flying Without Wings (Del Gallego Series #1)

Epilogue

Seven months of writing a story were one of the most memorable journeys for me. I've been to many places while in the comfort of my seat and cup of coffee before my laptop. My thoughts turned to words that can be seen, felt, and heard... all by welcoming minds. It's just great... so great that I'm glad I'll be closing this book with a smile for new beginnings. All was worth it. All were poured in value. I just hope that anyone who reads my heart until this very end will feel the same way. I also hope that your patience is still there with my faulty writings. You know, it's been a puzzle for me to start this without knowledge of how to at first and at all. But I wished that you were somehow able to grasp things out of this story of Maximo and Athena. I hope you'll love them as I do.

Anyway, thank you so much for being here. To those who started at this part, oh, please... I'll tell you that you will miss amazing things! So I recommend reading from the start and having patience because that's where you will learn... at a slow pace... at a very slow but progressing pace. Learning that demands time and patience is a learning opportunity worth lifelong.

EPILOGUE

I stopped from walking when I caught my mother staring at our family photo. It was framed in the wall of our mansion's living room. Tahimik siya na nakatayo sa harapan no'n, habang nakasuot ng puting damit. Nakatalikod siya sa'kin, pero pansin ko pa rin kung ano ang nangyayari.

Tahimik ang buong paligid, kaya kaunting ingay lang ay maririnig na.

I suddenly released a breath when I saw her lift her hand to her face.

May tumusok na kung ano sa dibdib ko, dahil sa nakita at narinig na pigil niyang pag-iyak.

Alam ko kung bakit... at ano ang dahilan no'n.

I shifted my gaze to the frame, and there I saw my twin brother who died five years ago in a car accident.

He was serious in the photo while I'm smiling.

May pagkakahawig man sa mukha, pero hindi maikakaila na may pagkakaiba pa rin kaming dalawa.

Si Kuya ang mas seryoso. Si Kuya ang mas matapang. Si Kuya ang mas maasahan. Si Kuya rin ang mas binibigyan ng atensyon nina Papa dahil siya ang tagapagmana ng lahat ng negosyo ng aming pamilya.

Hindi ako kailanman nainggit sa kung anong meron siya, dahil kapatid ko ito. Kahit kailan ay walang namagitang away sa aming dalawa dahil lang sa bagay na iyon. Halos magka-sanggang-dikit nga kami at kapag nangangailangan ang isa, maasahan naman ang isa.

Kumuyom ang palad ko.

Masakit nga lang sa aking parte na noong nangyari iyon sa kanya ay wala man lang ako rito para tulungan siya. Wala man lamang akong binigay na tulong sa kanya. Wala ako noong... mga panahon na nangangailangan siya.

I brushed my palm to my mouth and exhaled sharply. My eyes glistened from the unshed tears so I looked up and smiled bitterly.

It was damn frustrating that I always feel worthless whenever I remember it. It's been years, but none of it has changed. Not even a bit.

Hindi ko kasi maintindihan bakit siya pa, kung pwede naman ako?

Ako naman 'yong mas mahina sa amin. Ako 'yong hindi maasahan. Ako 'yong mas walang kabuluhan ang paroroonan sa buhay.

Kaya nga minsan lang ako bumalik dito sa probinsya, dahil mas enjoy ako sa buhay na puro kagaguhan lang noon. Party kapag gabi at puro pasarap lang sa kama kasama ang iba-ibang babae. Kahit noong college pa lang. Wala akong pakialam kahit sa pag-aaral. Kahit pa noong binagsak ako ng professor ko sa ilang GED subjects.

Samantalang iyong kakambal ko, may nabuo ng pangalan sa larangan ng pagnenegosyo. He became the youngest successful businessman in the country even though he was still in college and studying Business Administration with me.