Prologue

[Adem P.O.V.]

Life is full of surprises. I didn't expect that there's someone who came into my life and changes the way I thought in life, the way I felt in life. She was the most unexpected and precious gift that I received in my entire life and I didn't want to lose her.

She is worth keeping. 

She is worth waiting.

She is worth fighting.

And she is worth to be loved.

[Bro, let's drink! Barkadas are on their way] Mark said on the phone.

He called me several times to invite me in their party but as he always expected I rejected his invitation. 

"Bro, I'm sorry but I can't come. My girlfriend and I had something to do today." 

[O, come on, Adem. Kami naman ang bigyan mo ng time,] he jealousy said. 

"O, come on, Mark. I know you understand me." Then we both laughed in our own.

Binaba ko na ang linya ng telepono. I know Mark and my friends will understand my situation.

I immediately wore my suit for our date today and I can't wait to see her smile and her beautiful brown eyes looking at me. I want to hug her and kiss her.

While looking at the mirror, ilan beses ko tiningnan kung maayos ba ang itsura ko. If I am handsome and look comfortable to look at. When I finally convinced myself, I run fast outside my home and immediately rode in my car. 

Habang masaya akong nagmamaneho, hindi ko maiwasang maramdaman na habang papalapit ako nang papalapit sa babaeng pinakamamahal ko, mas ramdam ko 'yong kaba sa dibdib ko. Nagwawala ang mga paru-paro sa tiyan ko. Kaya naman hindi ko na pinatagal at mas lalong binilisan ko na ang pagtakbo ng sasakyan. 

When I finally reached our destine place, naglalakad ako nang mabagal at hindi ko na mapigilan ang kaba sa puso ko. Nanginginig ang mga kamay habang hawak-hawak ang isang palumpon ng mga Calla Lilies - her favorites kind of flowers. 

But then, I realized I was in her grave, crying for sudden death of my heart.

Para akong binalik sa nakaraan at sinaksak nang paulit-ulit. Ang kaninang puso na sabik makita ang pinakamamahal kong babae ay pinalitan ng mga luhang may pagdadalamhati. 

'Yong babaeng nag-iisang nakakaintindi sa akin, nagmamahal sa akin at nagbigay ng magandang kahulugan ng buhay, hindi ko na makakasama hanggang sa pagtanda ko. 

Hindi ko na masisilayan kung anong itsura niya kapag naging kulobot na ang kaniyang balat at naging puti na ang kaniyang mga buhok. Hindi ko na matutuklasan kung paano siya maglalakad nang may ngiti sa kaniyang labi at may tungkod para lang salubungin ako ng yakap at ng matamis na halik.

Hindi ko na mararanasan kung paano magkaroon ng masayang pamilya dahil ang pinapangarap kong makasama habang buhay ay imposible ko nang  makamit.

Talitha Garcia

March 1, 1998 - December 25, 2021

Family Remembrance

"How are you, Tali?" I asked even though I know she will not respond.

I sat down next to her grave and gently touched her tombstone on which her name was written and put my flowers on her. "Why don't you show up in my dreams? You don't miss me?"

I said with sadness on my face.

I go back to our past where she teased me that once someone showed up in my dream that was already dead, it means he was asking me for a prayer for him to be able to enter the Kingdom of God or that someone is missing me.

I smiled on my own when I realized that because of Tali, I became a priest. She loves talking about God and I love listening to her sweet voice. She became an instrument for me to know more about God. Little by little I just realized that I want to become a priest. She was my angel way back then and will remain my angel forever. 

"Are you already, there?"

I asked while looking up to the sky then I turned my focus back to her and I noticed how clean her grave was.

I cannot imagine myself believing in someone's saying. I cannot believe that someone like Tali will inspire me to trust God with all of His plans wholeheartedly.

"I hope we can meet up there," I said while looking up again to the sky, referring to heaven. "Thank you for believing in me, thank you because God gave me you..." I touched my lip to my hand and gently laid it on her grave as if I had been able to kiss her.

"I really miss you, Tali. I really do. You know how much I tressured you, right?" Napangiti na lang ako nang wala sa sarili habang nararamdaman ang unting-uting pagtulo ng mga luha ko. Lahat ng mga memories na iniiingatan ko ay nag-flashback sa isipan ko and it's really hurt. 

Sobrang sakit lang na minsan kong pinangarap na makasama siya sa buong buhay ko pero hanggang ala-ala na lang ako sa kaniya. 

After an hour, I decided to walk away and just come back next time. I promise, Tali, I will take care of all our memories together, I will not let your efforts for me become useless. 

Minsan, may ibibigay talaga sa atin ang Diyos ng isang taong magbibigay sa atin ng inspirasyon para magpatuloy sa buhay pero sa huli babawiin niya rin. Hindi para saktan tayo kundi para makita natin kung ano nga ba ang reyalidad ng buhay. Na kung saan hindi lahat ng taong mamahalin natin ay mananatili sa atin habang buhay. Ang importante roon, sa bawat taong pipiliin natin mahalin at pipiliin natin maging parte ng buhaynatin ay may bawat aral tayong natututunan na siyang nagbubukas ng panibagong opurtunidad.

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are fictitious unless otherwise is stated. Any resemblance to any real person, living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental.

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