Only You

Chapter 1: Love, Cierra

"Cierra? Can you promise me something?" I asked my sleepy wife.

"Hmm?"

"When we grow older...pwede bang ako muna ang umalis sa mundong ito? Mababaliw ako kapag iniwan mo ako." I told her as I pulled her closer to me.

"Huwag kang OA, mahal. Hindi ka mababaliw. Hindi ko hahayaang mabaliw ka." Sabi nito at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. "Goodnight my love."

"Cierra? Love, may gifts ako from work. May pa-celebration kanina for my birthday and-."

I looked down at Cierra as her body lies cold on the ground. I quickly called an ambulance to get her to a hospital, hoping that she's okay. This is just a dream, Stell.

Mabubuhay pa ang asawa mo.

"Dead on arrival. We are sorry, Mr. Ajero."

I went hysterical at the hospital begging the doctors to bring her back. I was only stopped by Josh and Justin whom I called earlier. I didn't actually realize what I was doing until they stopped me.

Even at her funeral, I was hysterical. I can't look at her mother in the eyes knowing that I wasn't there to protect her daughter. It was my fault.

"You let her die, now suffer." Her mother said then left.

"Huwag kang makikinig sa kaniya, Stell. Wala kang kasalanan and I'm sure Cierra isn't blaming you."

"How? Nakikita mo ba siya, Josh?" Tanong ko. "Kasalanan ko ito. I didn't know she was already taking drugs again. If I did...hindi sana siya ma o-overdose. Hindi sana siya patay. Sana ako na lang ang namatay. Sana hindi na lang si Cierra."

"Stell, stop that. Look, Cierra left a letter for you. She gave it to me last time we hung out." Sabi ni Justin.

Nang makauwi ako ay binuksan ko kaagad ang envelope na binigay sa akin ni Jah kanina.

Dear Stell,

This is my last goodbye letter for you. I have been in a bad health condition recently due to my addiction to the drugs you stopped me from taking. I am sorry that I have disappointed you and the 1 year we took to keep me clean. If you are reading this please do not blame yourself from what had happened to me. Also, I would like to apologize for not keeping your promise...wala eh. Nauna na ako and I hope you can accept that. Hindi ko sinabi sa'yo dahil napapagod na din akong mabuhay...if I told you, you would have rushed me into rehab. I'm scared of that place, Love. I hope you understand that me dying isn't a burden for me...I will love it here. Please wear your smile everyday and always be a sunshine to those around you.

Love, Cierra.

I smiled bitterly at myself. You are weak, Stell and she knows it.

"Pablo!" I looked up to see my patient who is currently recovering with my help. "I'm going home again."

"And make sure it's forever. Ayaw na kitang makita dito sa facility." Sagot ko na ikinatuwa niya.

"Yes, of course. Bye see ya!" Sabi nito sa akin.

I looked up and saw a guy. He was staring at me like I was someone he knows. I tried to avoid his gaze but something in his eyes kept pushing me to look at him.

Was he someone I knew?

Maybe...maybe just another patient. I think?

"Ken sino siya?" I asked as the same guy from two days ago was again staring. "Who is that person?"

"Si Stellvester Ajero. He came in two months ago, it's been 3 years since his wife died kaso recently lang ipinasok ng friends niya." Sabi nito at umalis na.

Stellvester Ajero? Interesting.