One Day After School

18: Mahika

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Chapter 18: Mahika

Is everything a dream?

I cried with my own question. I already know the answer. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko. I saw the date. It says June 06, 2022.

I can't even remember the faces and the names of those friends I've had in my dream. All I can do is to cry. Kung nagpakamatay ba talaga ako, gano'n ba ang mangyayari sa kapatid ko?

Kinuha ko ang I.D. na nakasabit sa leeg ko. I read it again and again like a crazy and slow person, trying to absorb the information serve in front of me.

Solace Euphoria Martinez.

Tears fell more. Nahihirapan na rin akong huminga. But even with my unstable breathing, I still chose to continue reading. I need this to clear my mind. You need this to clear your mind, Sola- Martinez.

I bit my lips as a heavy sigh came out from my mouth before slowly looking on the information below my name.

Solace Euphoria Martinez
Grade 10 - Zeus
Lourdes High University

So all along, it's all just a dream?
Truly, I am not Solana. I am Solace. Dala ba 'to ng pangyayari ng mga nagdaang araw at linggo? I sighed before reminiscing what happened.

-

"Ate where are you going? Sama akoooo~" She pleaded with puppy eyes. Kakababa niya lang sa sasakyan na galing sa school nang makitang papasakay na ako sa kotse dala-dala ang iilang mga bagahe ko.

Her beautiful face really resembles mine a lot. We resemble our Mother too. Isang taon lang ang agwat namin pero nagiging bata siya sa harapan ko. She's that clingy and sweet.

"Are you going on vacation, Ate?" Solana asked me again while watching I'm settling my things inside the car's compartment.

"Ate..." Tawag niyang muli, pero wala pa rin siyang nakuhang tugon mula sa kanya.

How? How can I answer her questions without breaking her heart? She's too precious and innocent. Hindi ko pwedeng basta-basta na lang sabihing aalis ako kase nangabit ang tatay namin. Kase nag-away ang mga magulang namin.

I know she can't take it.

Yes, she sometimes and somehow hates our parents because they don't have the time for us, but I know deep down in her heart, she loves them dearly. She's craving for their love.

She's not craving for freedom, she lacks parental love.

She watched how I crouched down a bit to level her height before pinch her cheeks. I stared at her face while showing her my sweetest, caring, and genuine smile.

My last smile.

"Magpakabait ka, okay? Mag-aral ka rin ng mabuti. 'Wag magpapalipas ng gutom, and always pray before going to bed, and after waking up, also before eating, then before taking a bath, or wherever you go and whatever you do, hmmkay? Take care of yourself too. Ate loves you so much. Uuwi rin naman ako." Mahabang lintaya ko.

I can somehow notice the reddening of her nose and eyes. She's going to cry any moment now. That's how soft our Solana is.

"Promise?" Tanong niya.