Flashed Golden Photographs (Sunset Avenues #1)

Wakas

Wakas. 

This is the last part of Flashed Golden Photographs written in Archi's point of view. Remember my Archi and Sammy as a photograph you have kept inside your most treasured box. And I'd hope that their story will forever live in your hearts as you are to me. I wouldn't stop thanking you for being part of my favorite footballer and his sweetheart. I'm truly grateful! And here's to the striker of Barça, Miss Santa Maria and to our very 'first love', 'till the next sunset avenue!

__

"De los Rios, a kick to success, domineering the world of Football!"

Bitter smile rose when I heard the headline. I looked up to the sky and noticed how colors plastered above compliment each other.

The colors of the setting sun perfectly combined to fill a canvass. A work of art that signifies a meaning. The woman who made me realize the essence of its occurrence invaded my mind.

Samaria Justine Bautista.

Sunod kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko kasabay ng pagdagsa ng libo-libong alaala. Hindi ko iyon mapigil na para bang sa bawat lugar ay naaalala ko siya.

'Fly high, my footballer. Wala ka pa man sa Barcelona, please know that I'm already so proud of you..' anang boses.

The voice felt heavenly, hinahaplos ang puso ng kung sino man. But why does it fucking hurt? Na kapag inulit ko pa iyon sa isip ko ay mas lalo lamang akong hindi makakausad.

"Barça! Barça!"

Fans cheered in unison. I had goosebumps listening to it. Patunay na hindi ako nananaginip. The voice that should have given me warmth but it was..

Cold. Hinahaplos nito ang bawat himaymay ng pagkatao ko. Walang pinagkaiba sa unang pagtapak ko sa Barcelona. I woke up the day of my debut and I was alone.

Walang pinagkaiba iyon ngayon.

"Barça! Barça!"

Nabulag na lamang ako sa kasunod na ilaw. Kasabay ng pagpasaere ng bola patungo sa direksyon ko. I sharpened my senses, moves calculated, putting all the might and tactics I learned. Driven by overflowing passion.

"DLR8! DLR8!"

Nalito ang dalawang nakasunod sa biglaan kong pagtalon. I bumped the ball using my forehead, aiming for the goalpost.

Time stopped. Nabitin sa ere ang hiyawan upang lumakas muli dahil sa pagpasok ng bola. Sa bilis at pagkalito ay hindi na nasalo pa ng goalkeeper. Making Barcelona's unexpected win.

"And here's to the beast striker of Barça!"

Umangat ang gilid ng aking labi. Dinaluhan ako ng aking mga kapwa manlalaro. Bakas sa mukha ng bawat isa ang galak. We brought home a title and I should be happy, proud at least.

It was supposed to be the anticipating. Kinapa ko ang mga emosyon na inaasahan sa dibdib pero bakit sa lahat ng emosyon, pangungulila lang ang naroon?

'I'll see you in Barcelona..' and she smiled.

Kumurap ako nang ilang beses. Napatigil ako sa pagtakbo. I blankly stared at the space located right in front of my eyes.

I could picture in my head her smiles dancing along with the mosaic. Her arms spread to welcome me. And thought, this is perfection and the real definition of success.

'Raising your football uniform with your name on it..'

Her words of goodbye combined with the national anthem of the club. It made me shiver.

Damn, and she still had the decency to smile huh? Ganoon na ba ang senyales ng paalam ngayon? I'd love to see her smile, it's everything. Pero kung iyon na pala ang kahuli-hulihang pagkakataon, I'd rather close my eyes.