"Faith?" Napatingin ako kay Lazarus nang tawagin niya 'ko. Lazarus is my boyfriend and I can say, siya 'yung lalaking may pangarap hindi lang para sa sarili ngunit para sa'ming dalawa.
We're here at a cafe dahil sinamahan ko siyang tapusin ang paper works niya. Ilang araw nang nagpupuyat ang lalaking 'to kaya naisipan kong yayain siya na magkape.
I hummed in response.
I felt his fingers tangling on my hair as he gently brush it. Marahan kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata sa pakiramdam. "It's 11:11, make a wish."
Napamulat ako at kunot ang noo siyang nilingon. "Seriously? Bakit ka naniniwala sa gan'yan, it's not even true."
Lazarus is 3 years older than me, but he still have this childish attitude. Kung ako ang tatanongin, I think mas mature pa ang pagiisip ko kumpara sa kanya.
He chuckled and boop my nose. "Siguro para sa 'yo hindi, pero para sa 'kin totoo 'yon."
I shook my head. Geez, this man.
"H-Hey, what's wrong?" Lazarus lightly squeezed my hand while gripping his head. Hinawakan niya 'yung ulo niya na para bang nahihilo. "Lazarus- LAZARUS!"
I got alarmed when he suddenly collapsed. Sa mga sandaling 'yon, parang nawala ako sa sarili. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses akong nagsisisigaw para lang humingi ng tulong.
"Your boyfriend is diagnosed with Leukemia," what the doctor said made my knees tremble in pain. Dumungaw ako sa maliit na bintana at pinagmasdan siyang matulog.
Bakit 'yung taong mahal ko pa?
I was awaken by my phone ringing. Tiningnan ko muna ang caller I.D bago sagutin ang tawag.
"Hello, Lazarus?" I yawned.
"Hey, baby. What time is it?" I mentally rolled my eyes wishing that it's not 11:11 at this late hour.
I turned my gaze into the clock. Oh, won't you look at that. It's 11:11 in the freakin' morning.
"11:11." I closed my eyes, sighing in slight annoyance. "Ano ba 'yan, Lazarus. Kaya ka nagkaLeukemia, eh. Kapupuyat mo 'yan."
There was a moment of silence before he replied, "It's 11:11 and I'm still wishing you were here."
My heart raced. Did he woke me up just to tell that?
As if my thoughts were heard, he replied, "Sorry, baby. Just called you to tell you that you're still my wish."
Oh, God. Please, don't take this man away from me.
Months passed, Lazarus became thinner and weak as days goes by. Doctors said he's slowly deteriorating, pero ayokong maniwala. My boyfriend is strong, alam kong kaya niyang labanan ang sakit na 'to.
I was lying beside him, brushing his hair; whispering sweet nothing's onto his ear. "I've been with you this far, what makes you think I'm going anywhere now?" Idinampi ko ang kamay niya sa 'king pisngi. "I'm in this until it's over, you hear me?"
I kissed his hand.
"You have survived everything you've gone through up to this point, Lazarus. So, please. Lumaban ka, ha? Lalaban ka."
"Faith." Umayos ako nang upo nang magsalita ito. Gising na pala siya.
"Yes, baby?"
"I want you to love another man." Parang naguho ang mundo ko sa sinabi niya.
I shook my head. "No, Lazarus."
"Fall in love with someone who can surpass the love that I have given you." Napakagat ako sa labi nang madinig ang boses niyang nahihirapan.
BINABASA MO ANG
Knock, knock! Get the door, it's trauma!
Short StoryA compilation of one shot tragic stories.