Clumsy with a hint of Rupok

Labing-lima

Keane's POV

"Hey.. don't go.. please", I was already crying. I held her hand and there were also tears falling down her face. A woman was holding a cloth against her head to stop the bleeding.

"Keane.. I love you so much", sabi niyang nanghihina. Those words make my heart happy but now.. it hurts so much.

"Wag mo sabihin yan na parang nagpapaalam. Walang mangyayari", I want her to be strong. I should be the one with lots of tubes attached to me.

"I don't know.. Keane..", sambit niya while gasping for air. I cried harder. Those dreams of me marrying her and having kids vanished.

"Please be strong, Aceia", I begged her. I said that to her a million times.

"I love you.. so much. I didn't know loving someone this much is possible", she said I love you, once again. The only difference is... this time mas nanghihina siya.

"I love you more than you know", I answered back. She smiled at me. I just hope I can see her smile again right after this.

We arrived at the hospital and the nurse stopped me from coming in the operation room. I stayed and sitted on the seat next to the room.

I prayed to God. I prayed that she will spare the woman that made me believe that change is possible and that there's true love. The woman that made me fall in love with her laugh, the way she looks at me, the way she treats people. Everything about her makes my life complete.

Her parents came alongside Maple and Rafa. Kasama din ang parents ni Maple and Rafa. We were all waiting outside the operation room. Everyone was crying. Aceia has a big impact on us. She was the perfect bestfriend, daughter and girlfriend. We couldn't ask for anything else.

Dad tried to calm me down but no matter what anyone says, it can't ease my mind because once Aceia's gone..my life will be incomplete.

As soon as the doctor opened the door. All of us stood up. "Is she awake? Can I please see her?" I asked with so much hope.

The doctor gulped and looked down. Tears started to form. "Doc, please say something", pakikiusap ko.

"I..I'm sorry", the doctor said.

"Why? Are we not allowed to come in?", pagtatanong ko. My mom caressed my back as comfort. What? We can come back kapag pwede nang bisitahin si Ace.

"Nak... she's gone", sabi ni Tita Norma.

That's not possible. I'm probably dreaming. She can't be gone. She smiled at me as an assurance that she'll be okay.

Nanghina ang aking mga tuhod at umupo. No tears were coming out because of shock. This can't be real. The nurse handed me a paper. It was a form with Aceia's name.

Name: Aceia C. Lucero
If anything happens to me, I'm willing to give my heart to Mr. Keane G. Clemente. Keane, my heart 's been always yours but now that you're reading this, I will also give my heart to you, physically.

I love you.

I pursed my lips and cried so hard. I was immediately brought to surgery for the heart transplant. Because of this, I will take care of her heart the way I should've done a long time ago.

The surgery was successful but a part of me wanted it to fail. I don't want to be in a life where Ace's not beside me. I was still in my room. Nakakawalang ganang buhay.

"Keane, you have to eat. I know it hurts but you should take care of your heart", utos ni Mom.

I kept in my mind that Aceia's still here. She's in my heart and that thought is the only thing that kept me moving and surviving.

Dumaan ang mga araw at andito kami lahat sa libing ni Aceia. Lahat kami ay namumugto ang mga mata. Si Jayden ay umuwi din.

"Musta?", tanong ni Jayden. Nginitian ko nalang siya. Hindi ko magawang magsalita dahil pakiramdam ko na kapag nagsalita ako, magtutuloy-tuloy ang mga luha ko.

"Masakit. Parang kagabi kachat ko lang siya", naiiyak na din niyang sinabi. Sila ay parang naging magkapatid. Parehas silang only child kaya masakit din ito para kay Jayden.

I was called to speak in front. Lumunok muna ako't huminga nang malalim para makapagsalita nang maayos.

"I didn't have time to prepare for my speech because... until now I can't accept that she's gone..

I don't want to believe that this is real. I still feel Aceia's presence. I can still feel her love. Everytime I close my eyes, I can feel her hand on my face. I can hear her laugh.

She was so selfless..

Because of her love, I'm right here in front of all of you.. alive.

Ang sakit....Hindi ko na makikita ang mga ngiti niya but I was lucky to hear her say I love you for the last time.

It was a painful 'I love you' because she was saying goodbye.

She was a caring friend and a great daughter. Everyone loved her.

She was my whole world. She gave up cheering to see me and of course.. she gave up her heart.

Because of Aceia, I don't want to give up. She made me feel that I'm important and everyone should feel that too. Aceia wouldn't want us to be devastated.

Fly high, my angel. I will always love you."

________________________________________________________________
Author's Note

Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading my story "Clumsy with a hint of Rupok". This story is fictional. None of the characters nor events are real. My story doesn't promote being marupok. Be marupok to the right person. Be marupok if there's a valid reason. Protect your heart.

Yours truly,
Aceia C. Lucero

choz,

From: Ayi