To The Moon And Never Back

C28

"So Ms Jimenez, who's your inspiration while writing the second book?"

Everyone's here. Fans, and all. It's been 5 years. Na- comatose ako for 8 months. Sa loob ng limang taon, di ko na nakita si Nathan. I'm with tita Hanni for the whole time.

Author. I became an author and a poem writer. Here I am having book conference at Australia.

I never quit my dream as stewardess. But, now. It's still my dream. But I have no plan to.

Limang taon naging matatag ako. Pag gising ko may tahi na 'ko. Pag gising ko limang araw ko lang nakasama si Doc Mendez. He passed away. Five days after my operation. Accident, car accident.

It was tough. Of course, but he visited me that day. Sa panaginip ko. I suffered for months, knowing he saved me. Sa loob ng walong buwan akong tulog, si Doc Mendez ang gumawa ng lahat na paraan upang maka apak ako dito.

I moved on. Kay Nathan, Xyra. Anika exposed the record and Xyra apologized. But not to me, personally. And I'm not waiting for her or his apologies.. nor explanations.

Forgive but never forget.

"My parents, are my inspiration. And Mrs Santiago. They are the ones who motivated me to write these feelings down and to keep on moving forward."

Flashes are everywhere.

"Are you single or taken ? "

Some random reporter asked.

Umiling ako at ngumiti. It's been five years, I haven't seen Nathan. And I had an ex, and a flings.. When I stayed in Davao after I woke up, my dad didn't let me finish my fourth year, but he let me work at his company.

Nika's living at Bulacan. Patrisha's engaged to Daniel and  Rina and Samuel are having a kiddo.

"I'm single, and no plans to have a boyfriend yet" I smiled.

Finally, it's over. I'm heading on my way to the mall to have shopping. My mom and dad are staying at home doing works.

My dad has a cancer so my mom is taking care of him.

And I'm handling our company.

I've changed. A lot. I can tell, I've learned a lot. To trust, to give chances. And to forgive. I looked for Nathan, for years. I saw his Instagram, wala ng update. Naririnig ko lang boses niya pag kausap sa call si tita Hanni.

I always act like I never met the person named Nathaniel. Kahit parati siya nasa magazines, news, and medias.

My heart? Ganoon parin. May sakit. Pero gumaan na siya, thanks to my best doctor. My asthma, is gone. I guess? Once a month na ko inaatake. Pero hindi parin ako nag papagod. I'm still handling my limits.

I was walking around the Dior, when I saw a familiar face.

It's Xyra.

She's still pretty, but looked pale. Is she wearing a wig? She's still sexy and still glamorous.

She greeted me.

"Toria?"

It's been. Years. Huling kita ko sakaniya. She's half naked.

"Xyra? Hey" I greeted her. No plasticity.

We're seating here at Starbucks, awkwardly in front of her. The girl. Who I slapped hundred times.

"How are you?" I asked to remove the awkwardness.

"I'm great. I'm so proud of you seeing on screen" she smiled.