See You Tomorrow, Yuki (EDITING)

EPILOGUE: ACIEL

Everything is still the same. Even with all the struggles... I still feel that nothing much has changed.

They still ask the same questions, and my answer remains the same. Laman pa rin ng ilang balita at social media posts ang tungkol sa'ming lahat. It almost feels like they find happiness in our despair. They earn from our sufferings. They satiate their boredom as they make us their punching bag. They don't want to forget and leave us alone.

"Anong ginagawa mo, dad?" agad na tanong ko nang makalabas ng kwarto at madatnan si dad sa kusina.

"Just preparing things... and food we might need tomorrow. I mean, later, for New Year's Eve. Pasikat na ang araw, bakit gising ka pa?"

"Dahil hindi na naman ako makatulog," tapat kong sagot.

Napansin kong suot niya sa kaliwang kamay ang relong iniregalo ni Yuki noon sa kaniya. I'm still laughing at the secondhand embarassment I got from Yuki that day... and I still feel the butterflies in my stomach flying around in celebration everytime I remember.

"Tulungan mo na lang ako. I'm making meals for Yuki."

"So, what else can my hand do for you? Maliban sa suotin at ingatan ang relo na 'to?"

"Later on when I'm having a hard time, please cook some food for me."

"Cooking for someone... has never been this sad," pagpapatuloy niya pa.

"Then why do it?"

"It would make me sadder if I don't," he frowned cutely. "Paniguradong magugustuhan 'to ni Yuki. Make sure to give it to her."

Hinayaan ko siyang gawin lahat nang mag-isa. Tumungo ako sa mesa para tumunganga lang at magbakasakaling antukin ako.

"You really won't help me?" dad asked. "Alright. How about you iron your suit already? Hindi ka makatulog dahil excited ka para mamaya, diba?"

"Yes," mabilis kong sagot at nabuhayan.

"Do you love her that much?!" tanong niya muli sa pabirong galit na tono.

"YES!"

- - -

[Tito Luke: We're at the kid's cafe.]

[Just arrived.]

Tanaw ko agad si Tito Luke nang makarating ako. Nasa tabi niya si mom, at nakakandong naman sa kaniya si Titus. Ah, Titus is their son and today, I've decided that he's my little brother.

Kumaway ako pabalik nang kumaway sila sa'kin. Titus ran towards my direction and gave me a jump hug. Hindi ko alam kung mabigat lang ba talaga siya o sadyang nanghihina na ang mga buto ko. Bitbit ko rin noon ang lunchbox na pinadala ni dad at muntik ko pang mabitawan.

"You forgot about your age," panunukso pa ni mom.

This is her punishment from dad. She's back at being my mom. It's a little unfair because she seems to enjoy it unlike before.

About her and Tito Luke... they're still working on the annulment. All the while finding the right time when to tell Titus about it.

"Are you sure this is the first time you met?" tanong ni mom nang makaupo kami sa tabi nila, hawak pa rin ang lunchbox.