00 : His Ephemeral Signs
DAMIEN
The cemetery was quiet. The usual whispers of the wind weaved through the trees, brushing against the gravestones like an unspoken greeting. I sat still, staring at the familiar name carved into cold marble—my mother’s.
It had been a while since I last came here. Not because I forgot, but because coming here is not the same anymore. It always made me remember too much. The weight of memories pressed against my chest, suffocating me with the realization that time never waited for anyone. My mother was gone. My past was unchangeable. And yet, here I was, still trying to untangle the knots in my heart.
Beside me, Julian remained quiet, respecting the silence that stretched between us. Kahit wala siyang sinasabi ay ramdam ko ang presensya nito. Julian didn’t demand any words, never forced me to speak as I wasn’t ready. Maybe... that was also why I never found the heart to push him away completely.
I took a deep breath, letting the cold December air fill my lungs before exhaling slowly.
“I used to think running away would make everything easier,” bulong ko. “That if I kept my distance, I could protect myself from everything—family, expectations, pain.”
Julian didn’t respond immediately, but I could feel his eyes on me. I just knew Julian was listening. I always did.
I continued talking, my voice steady but low. “I resented my father for years. For leaving, for replacing my mom, for pretending like we could all just move on as if nothing happened. I hated Austin just as much, not because he did anything wrong, but because he is my stepmother’s son. He was my best pal before. But everything changed when we became stepbrothers.”
Napabuntong-hininga ako. The words felt heavy, but at the same time, it felt freeing to finally say them aloud.
“But the worst part?” My lips curled into a bitter smile. “I was exactly like him. I left before anyone else could leave me first. I ran away, just like he did when we found out we were going to be brothers.”
I turned slightly as my eyes meet Julian’s. The dim sunlight caught the softness in Julian’s expression—understanding, patient, unwavering.
I clenched my fists.
“I hated him, but I did the same thing to you,” I admitted. “I pushed you away, even when you stayed. I ignored you, even when you tried to reach out. And yet, you still...” My voice faltered for a second.
“You’re still here.”
Julian finally spoke, voice quiet but firm. “Because I know you, Damien.”
I swallowed hard. I wanted to believe that. That someone truly knew me—not just the cold, distant version of myself that I often showed others, but the real me. The one that was afraid, lost, and too stubborn to admit it.
“The truth is,” I muttered, looking back at the grave, “I don’t know how to stop running.”
Muling namayani ang katahimikan sa paligid. The wind blew gently, carrying the scent of damp earth and dried leaves. Somewhere in the distance, a bell rang from a nearby chapel, a soft chime that echoed through the air.
Then all of a sudden, Julian spoke, his voice warm. “You just did.”
Wala sa sariling napasinghap ako sa narinig.
“You’re here, Damien. You’re not running away anymore. Hindi mo man napapansin, pero you’ve been facing everything little by little. And that means something.”
