Till We Meet Again

Farewell *ONE SHOT*

She witnessed my body and mind rot right in front of her and even with that, she managed to smile for our children, for our grandchildren, and for everybody. What a wonderful woman she is and I wish I could say it to her one last time. I still breathe but if I could give up one breath for every word I wanted to say to her again, I would. It would end me much much faster but at least before I leave her physically, she knows. 

I feel moisture on my cheek and Raven pointed at me with her lips grabbing Shin's attention, she looked back at me and walked near me. "Darling, why are you crying?" She smiled and wiped my tears away. "Are you okay?" I nodded but I'm not sure if my head moved because she kept brushing my hair backwards. "I love you," She whispered and kissed my forehead then looked back at our children.

"Nasaan si Alexis?" She asked Raven who now feeding Chloe. 

"Parating na raw po mom, I called her canine and sabi nya sinundo nya lang si Elijah at Ezra from Polo." Cassandra answered from behind her.

Suddenly, the door opened and alexis walks in with her kids and a stranger that wore scrubs holding everything she could in her arms. "Mom!" She ran quickly to me and Rachelle. "How's dad doing?" She looked at me with tears in her eyes. 

Shin smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "Did you eat?" She asked ignoring her question about me.

"Mommy naman, it doesn't matter. I want to know how dad's doing." She insisted, her tears now streaming down her face. Sweetie, why are you crying? I'm right here. Come to dad, give me a hug. I tell her but she didn't seemed moved by my words. Babe, tell her I'm okay. I tell my wife but she didn't respond to me as well. What is happening? Why can't anybody hear me? Am I speaking too softly? Her sobbing became even louder. I stare at her and shook my head. Sweetheart, I'm okay. Please stop crying baby. Daddy doesn't wanna see you like that. I frowned. Her mother hushed her into her arms and she seemed to have whispered something but I couldn't hear her. Alexis wiped her tears and stood up. She smiled and walked towards me, "Hello Daddy. I love you." she kissed my forehead. I love you too. 

***

The rest of the day, I snoozed in and out, I would only see them laughing together, telling jokes and stories to each other. I would see them glancing at me once in a while and looked at me with loving eyes. Then I would wake up to Rachelle fixing my hair and my shirt, or her playing with our grandchildren whose laughter probably filled up the entire room with happiness. I wanted to watch them more but my fatigue would take over me and knock me out again.

***

The next time I woke up, it was already black inside the room, the room was still and the sounds of laughter just seemed to be far far behind. I looked outside the window and saw the brightest moon I've seen that it almost blinded me. I looked away and saw Rachelle sleeping beside my bed.I reached out for head, my heart raced as I saw my hand moved towards her, I felt so ecstatic because I havent been able to return her touches in years and today is the day I can hold her again. I touch her but she doesn't react. I smiled at her, she moved her face and she leaned on my hand. I was shocked to see my hand in between hers. I sat up and looked behind me. My eyes widened as I saw myself laying looking lifeless on the bed. What's happening? Could it be? My eyes tear up. I stood up and tried to shake Rachelle, I looked around the room and saw my children sitting on the couch sleeping side by side. Raven! Cassy! Lexi! CJ! I call them one by one but my voice seemed to echo inside the dark room. My tears flowed down my face. This is it. This is my goodbye. I sat back down on the bed and caressed my beautiful wife's hair. I love you baby, thank you for giving me everything I could ever ask for. Thank you for loving me the way you did, and providing our family with all the love you could give. I turn to my children and smiled, I lived a full life, a blessed life full of happiness and satisfaction. Thank you God, I smiled and looked up above. I sighed and as I looked up, I saw my laugh flash before my eyes. The laughter, the sorrows, the moments I shared with Shin and each of my kids; it was like a movie. I watched in silence while holding Rachelle's hand. Once it ended, I knew it was time to go but before He could fully take me, I asked for one last favour. If I could kiss her one last time, you can take me. I compromised. Suddenly, I could feel her hand between mine. I smiled, she slowly opened her eyes and rubbed it. I smiled and took her face and kissed her on the lips one last time, I love you and thank you. Till we meet again, my love. 

Next thing I knew, I was on the ceiling of the room and Shin woke up and shook my wildly, as tears streamed down her face. She put my hand on her forehead and I could swear to you even without opening her mouth, I heard her say I love you too.