Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay

CHAPTER 7

If time would heal the wounds then do I have to spend another lifetime just to be healed?

I didn't know that the world could be this cruel.

I am always reminding myself that tomorrow would be  better than yesterday. That a new day will arrive. But until when do I have to believe that?

"Ganda po di'ba, Ate?" Ikay asked joyfully

I just nodded.

We are watching beautiful fireflies flying around an old and big tree.

I love the way how these fireflies lit up this dark side of the forest. There's light, right?

"May liwanag, Ikay. Kailangan lang siguro natin iyong hanapin." I tried convincing myself that there's light.

"Really, huh?" I heard a familiar voice

I turned my back and saw the same man, wearing his white dress shirt folded up to his elbows and black pants.

I stared at him for a moment. He looked handsome even with his dishevelled hair. He walked a bit and stood beside me. My heart thumped so bad when our eyes met.

" U-uhhm... A-ano s-si Ikay. S-san na?" I stuttered

"She went home. Her grandmother called her." he answered

"Aahh. Oh, eh anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"Why? Do you own this place? Can't I come here?" he asked

"Hindi ko naman sinabing sa'kin 'tong lugar ah. Tinatanong ko lang naman kung anong ginagawa mo rito. Tapos nagtanong ka. Kailan pa naging tanong ang sagot sa tanong?" I brabbled

"Well, it's none of your business."

"Eh, sungit mo pa rin talaga 'no?" I hissed

"Yeah, and you still have that noisy mouth of yours."

I didn't answer and focus on the fireflies instead. I don't know why but this really caught my eyes. I couldn't help but to stare at them, even though my mind says I should not.

They were my lights before. He used to catch fireflies before and then put it in a jar. He would then bring them on top of the table beside my bed. It would lit up my room and calm me down for I was afraid of the dark.

"I used to have the light beside me, effortlessly. I would just sit. I didn't have to wait because the light will eventually come to me. So when I woke up in the dark i was so scared. I was anxious. Why the light didn't come?" I said as if he is even listening. "Then I realized, nothing's constant. Yesterday I was just waiting for the light, but the next day I am chasing after it. Before I would just sit, but now I am running to find the light."

I looked at him and found him staring at me... with his now soft eyes. I smiled but he immediately looked away.

" But after all, the chase is worth it. In the middle of the dark is the embrace of light. Just chase it, no matter what. " I lied

" There's a light in the middle of the dark? I just have to find it, huh?" he said as he licked his lips "What if I was too wounded in the dark, to the point that I can't even stood up and chase the light? What if I found it, yet the light itself doesn't want to be found by me? What if it's the light who left and wanted me to stay in the dark?"

I wasn't be able to mutter a word. I shivered when his cold eyes met mine.

" Let's go back. It is getting late." He licked his lips and started walking.