White Lies and Smiles

34

TW: Mention of someone's death

Inilahad sa amin ni Attorney Contrera ang isang papel. Kinuha 'yon ni Ethan. Lumapit pa ako upang mabasa ang nakasulat.

A-LIE-END-ALIVE

"I tried to decode it. That's what I got. It could mean that he's alive or someone's still alive. But the word 'lie' was highlighted. It's confusing me, I have to take some time to-"

"A lie has come to an end and he's still alive... The letter!" The two men looked at me. I went upstairs to get the envelope. I went downstairs after getting it. I showed them the letters on the seal of the envelope. L I E. "Clyde told me to open this once I've escaped the country but... we have to read what's inside."

I opened the envelope and took out the paper inside. I handed it to Attorney Contrera. He immediately took it from me and read Clyde's letter.

"A life which I treasured the most is proceeding to its end. Life has been tough for me. I am grateful for one of the greatest blessings that He gave me, it was you, Riri. Vivid colors turned into vibrant ones when you came into my life. Ending this life is something that I can't do but I will try to do, in order to protect and save you- The letter of the first word of each sentence... It spells ALIVE."

"And the seal says that Clyde's death is a lie," Ethan added.

"Pero kung buhay siya, nasa'n siya ngayon?" Napalingon sa akin ang dalawa.

Napahiga ako sa kama ni Ethan pagkatapos ng isang mahabang araw. Kumuha agad ako ng unan upang takpan ang aking mukha nang lumabas si Ethan ng banyo. Dapat ay nagbihis na siya sa loob! Hindi 'yung lalabas siya na nakatapis lamang ng tuwalya mula sa beywang pababa. Hay nako!

While covering my face with a pillow, I've thought of something else... Will I ever learn how to forget Ethan? He was with me when my life almost went to the wrong way. He was with me when my family needed support. He was with me in almost everything. And he's still with me even when I learned how to love another man. He's still with me...

But was I ever there for him?

Hindi ko alam kung umiyak din ba si Ethan nang patago... Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yung mga problema niya. Hindi ko alam kung masaya ba talaga siya. Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba ang mga ngiti niya...

"Aia, are you still awake? I want to show you something." Bumangon kaagad ako. Nakapagbihis na si Ethan. Inalalayan niya ako patayo at kaagad na iginiya patungo sa balkonahe. "We used to watch the night sky together..."

I looked up and got amazed when I saw the clear sky above us. The moon was so much visible and the stars were surrounding it.

I looked down at Ethan's arms when it snaked around my waist. He was hugging me from behind. I tilted my head to the side when I felt him planting a kiss on the side of my neck.

"I'm not good at words but for you, I'll try. Qamari, I'm sorry for being selfish and choosing you. I'm sorry, my love for you was too much." He tightened his hug and buried his face on my shoulder. "I just couldn't live without you..."

"But you still lived without me. Was it h-hard?" I felt him nodded. "Sorry... I was also selfish. I didn't try to understand your pain because I was too busy minding my own pain."

"Let's bury the past together... I love you, Aia. I love you to the depths of my heart. I will make sure that this love won't make you feel insecure, worried, and won't make you a slave."