Final Farewell

16

But no, life couldn't stay that way. Life always had something up his sleeve. He never wanted me to stay that happy.

A year had gone by, mas naging close kami ni Dane. When Kuya Ex, came home drunk and hit me. I locked myself up inside my room. The next day I went to see Dane. I told him to come by at the playground.

When I got there I sat on the swing. The sky was cloudy as it'll ever be.

An hour passed, and he wasn't here yet. I got worried and annoyed at the same time. He knew that I didn't liked waiting.

5 hours, was all it needed for me to go home. I was furious with him. But I was damn worried too.

Without a week of communication, I assumed that he was avoiding me. Did I do something wrong? No I hadn't. He was simply avoiding me. And my world crash, maybe he got tired of my presence and were just like the others. I never felt more abandoned in my entire life.

I wanted to tell him about what happened with Kiya Ex. But he wasn't there once again. I go to the park every afternoon hoping that he would show up but he didn't.

Then Father came home.

Sabi niya na lilipat kami. He didn't care about this old piece of junk he called his home. He wanted to get away from here. Sabi niya nakahanda na daw ang bago naming bahay. Mag impake na lang kami. Kuya Ex obliged immediately. He wanted a change too. Gusto niya nang lumayo dito.

But I didn't.

I basically grew up here my whole life. And my everything is here. I didn't wanted to leave.

I didn't want to leave him behind. I promised him.

"Dad, ayaw kong lumipat." I said

"Are you disobeying me again? Don't be a hindrance Haloiena."

"But I can't."

"We're moving and that's final!" Sigaw niya nang sobrang lakas.

"Dad..." Lumapit ako and it was a mistake, kinuha niya ang kanyang sinuturon at pinalo ako ng napakalakas sa likod. Akala ko mababali na ang spine ko.

I fell to the ground wincing in pain.

"I said we're moving. Do not disobey me Hail. That's final or do you want to taste this again." Inangat niya yung sinuturon.

I kept crying begging that the tears won't fall again.

"Go pack."

*  *  *

I was silentyly crying while packing all of my stuff. I left a painting inside my room so it will always have a part of me.

I was regretting every single move I made. Namamaga na ang mga mata ko. They said that we'll leave in an hour.

When the vans were parked outside. Nagsilabasan ang mga kapitbahay and they started murmuring once again. I lowered my head down. Clutching my blazer tightly. Nagmarka yung sinuturon ni Dad sa aking likod. It still stings until now. Damn it really hurt.

They were loading our things, Kuya was a mess as he sat down in the front seat.

I turned and looked at the house where he lives. The lights were out.

Wala kaya sila diyan?

Can I atleast say goodbye?

"Halo we're leaving, umupo ka na." Kuya said. At umiling ako saying that I can't, not yet. He gave me a dark look in return.

"Hail." He hissed.

"Wait."

"Haloiena umupo ka nang bata ka." Si Dad na ang nagsabi. Pero matigas ang ulo ko at umiling. I don't care if they'll hurt me again. I'm waiting for Dane to come.

If he ever comes.

"Kailangan ba kitang buhatin para umupo ka lang?" Dad hissed at lumayo ako. When all hope was gone someone screamed my name.

"Halo!!!"

He came running towards me with all his speed. Gustong gusto ko nang umiyak pero walang luhang lumalabas.

"Dane..." I whispered

Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit. Yung yakap na parang ayaw ka niyang pakawalan. And I never felt safe and contented in his arms.

"Are you leaving?" He said and I nodded.

"You promised me that you won't leave me Hail. Why are you leaving? Please don't leave me." Pain was eveident in his eyes. And It hurts.

"I'm sorry." I said.

"Don't leave, please... please don't leave me behind. Not again. Please, Halo. Hindi ko kaya. Hindi ko kakayanin." Napaluhod siya at niyakap ang mga binti ko. He was crying. And I was sobbing.

"That's enough boy," hinila ako ni Dad

"But sir." He said.

"Go home. Stop this drama, aalis na kami. Its for the better. Umuwi ka na. Pumasok ka na sa loob Hail. Now." Pinandilatan niya ako ng mata. But I didn't enter.

"I'll be there in 5 minutes. Please, ito lang ang hinihiling ko, Dad. Just this once." He looked really angry but he did what I said that shocked me.

"Halo..."

"I'm sorry, Dane. Hindi ko alam na aalis kami. Ngayon ko lang nalaman. And you didn't even show up last week. Were you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?" I said

"No, Halo, no you didn't do anything. Mom just gave birth at walang mag bantay sa kanya kaya ako ang nagbantay. I didn't told you because I wanted to surprise you. But I was the one who was surprised about you leaving. I can't... don't leave please." Umiiyak siya and he didn't care.

"I can't." I whispered.

"Please, don't... go." His voice broke down towards the end.

"I didn't want to leave you, I don't want this. You were the one who gave meaning to my life again, I don't want to leave you. But I can't do anything, Dane. Just remember the memories we shared. Its not like we're ending our friendship right? We're still bestfriends. Remember that. Remember that, always. You are my little light and I'm sorry."

I broke down and he hugged me tight. I didn't want to let go.

"Halo! Enough! Pumasok ka na o kakaladkarin kita."

But unfortunately I had to.

He smiled at me, but not like the same one he showed me when we first met it was filled with sadness and pain.

"I'm sorry." I said once again and with all my power left, I turned and walked away from him.

Nang nakaupo na ako, I stared at him by the window. He waved a hand. When the engine started I started to cry even more. Unti unti na kaming umaalis.

He ran.

Hinabol niya kami. Mas lalo akong umiyak.

Don't make this even harder for us, Dane. We need to let go. Nang napagod na siya he mouthed something.

"I love you, Haloiena Cane."

He smiled and waved with tears falling freely fromhis face and I never seen anything so beautiful in my life before. I tured my gaze away from the window and cried even harder.

"I love you too, Danger Evans." I whispered and wished he could hear me. But he can't.

When I told him that we'll still be bestfriends, I guess...

I was wrong.