ABELON (Book 1)

Wakas

The moment I woke up, I swiftly placed my right hand on top of my chest to feel my heart. Pakiramdam ko ay sumali ako sa full marathon dahil sa paghahabol ng hininga.

I've never had a dream like that before. My face is stained with tears, and all I can imagine is Estelle's gorgeous honey eyes. It's like I was brought back to my past life.

Napahilamos ako ng mukha para tuluyang magising. Sa pagsaboy ng tubig ay muling sumariwa sa akin ang mga huling alaala. Humarap ako sa salamin at bahagyang itinaas ang t-shirt. There are no whip scars. Pero bakit pakiramdam ko totoo ang lahat?

Before I could breathe another, napaupo ulit ako sa sofa. I opened my phone and it's already nine in the morning. Sinubukan kong hanapin ang mga pangyayari sa panaginip ko.

I searched for Ayllus, and I found a few pictures of the things I saw in the Museo de Anta. Naroon ang manunggul jar, ang iilang aklat ni Padre Puraw, at ang diary. Doon ko lang napagtanto na totoo nga ang panaginip.

Hinanap ko si Estelle at kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya sa taon na iyon. Ang nahanap ko lang ay ang huling isinulat niya sa diary.

1821

I have read your last words and it took me a day to finally understand that this is your way of saying goodbye. You wrote your name below the diary even if you only consumed half of the pages.

My love, it wound so deep to see your grave. If only I could take back the words you said and save you, I would, in a heartbeat. We are kindred spirits, you and I. When you died, my soul unites with yours and my life started to fade away right before my eyes.

Now, as I stare at the stars, all I can think of is your beautiful soul, which is worth loving. And as I stared at nothingness, all I could feel was your despair. You are like a bird, as white as the newborn lily petals. You fly on invisible strings in a wild forest under the cover of darkness, with nothing to see but the last light from a dying star. Worry no more, my love. Women are finally free because of you. It was you who saved them all. It was you who saved me.

Please, wait for me and let us make our promises come true. We are the two lost souls making our journey to the afterlife. You are my heart, and I will find you.

With love,

Estelle

Tumulo ang luha ko sa mga huling salita. Love consumed my entire being. It was the power of believing that made it real and possible. A love like that truly exists, and I have never imagined that I could feel this way. It is strong, full of hope, selfless, and humble.

"Good morning..." Pababa na si Celia kaya agad akong nagpunas ng luha. "Please don't tell me you're scrolling your ex's photos again."

"No." Itinago ko agad ito at sinubukang kalmahin ang sarili. Napansin ko na nakasuot siya ng pang-gala at handa nang umalis. "Saan ang punta mo?"

Napairap si Celia. "Itong si Olivia naiwanan ang cellphone niya kahapon sa Museo. We are going there now to get it."

Sa sinabi niya ay napatayo ako. "Pwede ba akong sumama?"

"Himala ata?" Bahagya siyang nagulat dahil tuwing weekends, hindi ako umaalis ng condo. "Sige na magbihis ka na, hintayin kita."

Going there will answer some of my questions. Kahit pa isa akong history professor, wala akong kaalam-alam tungkol sa kaharian ng Ayllus. It's like an enchanting place that only exists in my dreams.

"Maraming salamat po, Miss Katrina." Pahayag ni Olive sa oras na mai-abot ng ginang ang cellphone niya.

"Walang anuman. Call me Kat, or just Ka." Sagot nito bago balingan ng tingin ang kasama. "This is my husband, Samuel."