Simula ng pormal na i-anunsyo ng mga doktor na binawian na ng buhay si Lola Carmina, nakita ko kung paanong tila punong nawalan ng ugat ang buong pamilya ng mga Suarez. I witnessed how they all break down. I saw how they lash their pain out. And it's hurting me too knowing that if it's not because of Lola Carmina, I wouldn't be able to meet this amazing family. I wouldn't meet Hellios.
"You are an amazing woman..."
"Chloe, po."
"I'm Lola Carmina. And you're amazing, Chloe. You are such a gift to every person you will encounter. Masaya akong nakilala kita sa araw na ito."
"Ako rin po, Lola Carmina. Nariyan na po ba ang apo n'yo?"
Luminga linga siya. "Ayan na pala siya! Halika at ipapakilala kita sa kaniya."
Kinuha niya ang kamay ko bago ako marahang hinila pasunod sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami tutungo pero binabagtas namin ang parking lot kung saan naroon ang mga kotse.
"Hellios, apo..." Si Lola Carmina.
Pinunasan ko ang luha na umalpas sa mga mata ko nang maalala ang eksena mula sa una naming pagkakakilala no'ng araw na 'yon. I took my white handkerchief and wiped the side of my eyes. Marahan akong hinila ni Hellios palapit sa kaniya at niyakap ako. I leaned my head against his shoulder and sobbed a little.
"I'm sorry if I'm crying too much. Kagaya n'yo, nahihirapan rin ako tanggapin na wala na si Lola Carmina. I can't believe that she won't be able to witness our grand wedding." my voice was trembling as I looked at Lola Carmina's potrait above her elegant white coffin.
"If I had just known that she would leave us this soon, I would have invited her to witness our wedding in Tagaytay. I can still remember how she told me before that she liked you for me."
Nangiti ako. "She was too persistent about us but in a secretive way. Si Mama Empress ang talagang lantarang nagpapakita na gusto niya tayo para sa isa't isa."
"Well atleast I had the chance to fulfill her wish about the two of us. Kung nawala siya at hindi pa rin nagiging tayo, siguradong hindi niya ako patatahimikin."
Sabay kaming natawa. Despite our laughter, I can still hear the sadness seeping in with our voices. Alam kong pilit lang pinagmumukhang matapang ni Hellios ang sarili.
Ang sabi ni Mama Empress, siya ang pinakahigit na malapit kina Lola Carmina. Since he was a child, he's always with his grandparents. Sa sobrang dikit ay siya na ang naging paborito. Kahit ayaw sa loob ng simbahan, basta nagpasama si Lola Carmina, hindi puwedeng hindi niya iiwan ang ano mang trabaho maliban na lang kung sobrang importante.
I know this is really painful for him. For everyone. I just want to make him feel that everything will be fine. Lahat ay lilipas. Lahat magkakaroon ng hangganan. Dadating ang panahon, maghihilom ang sugat, muling ngingiti ang mga labi at makakaabante ang puso mula sa sakit.
"Matatapos rin ang lahat, Hellios. Mawawala rin ang hapdi. Lola Carmina is in a better place right now, watching us with smile on her face."
Pinatakan niya ako ng magaan na halik sa gilid ng aking noo at muling niyakap.
"As long as you're with me, I know things will fall into its places. I always see you as my hope, Chloe. Magpapakatatag ako... basta nasa tabi kita."
Dumagsa ang bisita sa burol ni Lola Carmina. Hindi na ako nagtataka pa na marami ang taong gusto makiramay sa kaniya. She was really a good person. Mukha lang siyang istrikta pero napakabuti niyang tao. Abot hanggang langit ang pagmamahal ko sa kaniya. That love will continue till the heaven decided to take my life, too.
BINABASA MO ANG
Suarez Empire Series 1: Hellios Samael (My Heaven In Hell)
General FictionShe's a servant of the church with pure and innocent heart. He's a badass tattooed man. An Atheist. Will their different beliefs become a hindrance to their love? - Published under KPub PH.