Against the Waves (THE PRESTIGE 1)

Epilogue - Part 2

"Are you sure you're okay here?"

The wind blew and chirping of the birds nearby was heard as if it's own way to welcome me. That after all these years...I finally stepped my foot here.

"I'll wait for you in the car." She said and tap my back.

My breathing started to become heavy. Right after I went out from prison, the only thing I wanted to do first is to come here. I prepared myself for it. I bought new clothes. I cut my hair so I'd look presentable. But now that I'm in front of it, my system shut down.

I took a step. My knees wobble immediately. My grip to the boquet tightened.

No matter how hard I try not to shed a tear, my self betrayed me. My vision instantly got blurry as I made my way to her.

After ten years...I finally get to meet my child...my daughter...my...my unborn child.

Slowly, I bend my knees. I put the flowers in front of her. My fingers trembled as I touched her urn.

I burst into tears.

"Daddy's...daddy is here...B-baby...daddy is here." My voice trembled.

I didn't know...I didn't know...I didn't know that she was pregnant that time. If I only knew...If I only knew!

I should have fought fairly. I should have not been scared. If I only knew...I never get a chance to hold her! To see how beautiful she is with her tiny little feet. I want her to hold my thumb with her tiny hands.

"Nice to meet you..." I managed to say between my sobs.

Ilang beses kong pinaulit ulit sa anak ko na nandito na ako. Pero kahit anong ulit ko, iyong sakit...mas lalong lumalala. Iyong sugat...mas lalong lumalalim.

"Sorry for making you wait...Daddy is finally here. You won't be cold anymore." My voice cracked again when I utter the last sentence.

She's here all alone. She's been waiting for us to visit her. She's been here longing for us for almost ten years.

I couldn't contain my sobs. I am desperately crying. I thought...there's nothing more painful than serving in prison...I thought...my pain will stop the moment I got released in my cell. I lost my riches, my education, my name...my love...I lost it all at once. It burned me. It shattered me.

But no one told me that losing a child will be a death of me.

My tears is unstoppable. She doesn't have a name. It just written as 'She'.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry." I uttered desperately.

I mourn for the death of my child. It's years late but grief has no deadlines. She was gone for years but it only felt like today.

"Pasensiya na kung hindi ko kayo naprotektahan ng Mama mo. Pasensiya na anak, hmm? Patawarin mo si Daddy...Patawarin mo si Daddy..."Paulit ulit kong sabi.

My cries became louder. I felt like I am shouting for my child as she walk away from me...and I am hoping...that she would hear me.

"Mahal na mahal ka namin ng mama mo. Hmm? Alam kong...alam kong inalagaan ka niya. Pinrotektahan ka niya...Huwag kang magalit sa mama...Hmm?"

Humikbi ako.

"Nasaktan ni Daddy si Mama mo. Iniwan ko kayo...anak hindi ko alam...Hindi ko alam na meron akong ikaw...Kung alam ko lang...lumaban sana ako ng patas."

Regret consumed my heart. If I didn't leave her...where are we now? If...If I fought fairly then...then this wouldn't happen at all!

"Mahal na mahal kita. Mahal na mahal ko kayo ng mama mo." Patuloy kong pag-iyak.