In the small town of Casus-- where I live, we have a belief.
That everyone was given a second chance. . . no matter what they've done or who they are.
Everyone deserves it, even the dead.
On the 3rd day of someone's death, they will arose from the...
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Fireflies.
It's almost 1 am, the sky is dark, the stars and the moon are our only light. We're on the middle of the forest, on our way to catch some fireflies.
Tunog ng mga naapakang tuyong dahon at maliliit na stick ang natatanging ingay ngayon, sinamahan pa ng mga maiingay na insekto, at ang paghahampasan ng mga dahon sa puno kapag humahangin.
Hindi sa daan ang tingin ko, bagkus ay sa babaeng nauuna sa akin. Pinapanood ko siyang maglakad, hinahayaan ang pagdaan ng buhok niya sa akin kapag humahangin.
How I wish. . . that I could stay in this moment forever.
Nahinto kami sa bakanteng pwesto ng gubat, mabilis ko itong natandaan. It feels nostalgic. As I walk towards the middle together with Rena, I'm reminiscing about the past. I can see myself and her when we were younger, sneaking out of the house to go here and catch some fireflies.
I didn't realize that I'm already smiling. It really takes me back. . .
"Here, Zacky. . ." pagtawag ng kasama ko.
Roon ko napansin na bumagal siya sa paglalakad at dahan-dahang humakbang. There I saw her slowly walking towards a firefly, casually staying on a tall leaf. Hindi pa gaanong kita ang ilaw nito, at pawala-wala pa.
Maingat na lumalapit dito si Rena, nakaangat ang dalawang kamay na unti-unting dumidikit. Just when she's about to catch it, the firefly flew and escaped. Pinigilan kong matawa habang pinapanood siya. Nakasimangot siyang lumingon sa akin.
Hindi ko napansin ang pagkuha niya sa maliit na bato at ang paghagis niya nito sa 'kin.
"Aray!"
When I looked at her, she's already making fun of me.
"You!-"
I was planning to make it even, but then I saw a firefly land at a grass, close to me. Mabilis akong natahimik at napunta rito ang atensyon ko. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit dito at inangat ko rin ang dalawang kamay ko.
Slowly. . .
Slowly. . .
Slow-
"Shoot!"
I was so close to catching it, so freaking close!
But then this woman threw a small branch close to the grass! Nakatakas tuloy 'yong alitaptap!
Nagawa pa 'kong asarin ni Rena nang makita ang iritadong ekspresyon ko. Pero kaagad siyang natigil sa pagtawa at pang-asar nang makita niya ang paghahanda kong makabawi sa kaniya.
She immediately knew what I'm about to do. Inunahan niya na 'ko sa pagtakbo habang tumatawa.
We ran in the field, at 1 in the morning, with the moon and stars with our light. Without realizing it, I'm also laughing while running with her.
Doon din namin napansin ang pag-angat ng mga alitaptap sa mga damong nadaanan namin. Parehong umangat ang mga tingin namin sa nag-iilaw na mga insekto na lumilipad.
They look like stars.
"Beautiful. . ."
I heard Rena said something under her breathe. I looked at her as she watch the fireflies.
"Yeah. . . beautiful indeed."
She noticed that I was staring at her, making her chuckle as she look back at me.
"What?" she asked.
I smiled. "Nothing, I just remembered that we used to do this in the past too."
Rena's smile slowly faded, I can see the hint of sadness on her eyes.
"Do you remember it?" I asked back.
She faked a smile. "Yes."
In the end, we didn't managed to catch some fireflies. Instead, we just watched them as we reminisce.
We're walking outside the forest, on our way to our favorite spot.
The view deck.
We will see the sunrise here, even though it's still just 2 am. We will see the sunset here later too.
"Aren't you sleepy?" tanong ni Rena. "You're awake since yesterday, right?"
"Nope, I'm still wide awake," I answered as I walk. I can already see the deck from here.
I walked faster to see the view— which is just pure darkness. Instead of lights, I was greeted by the smell of dry leaves from the field. Even though I expected it, I still have some expectations that there might be a miracle and I'll see a great view.
"It's a field, you won't see anything here," ani Rena na para bang nababasa ang nasa isip ko. Naupo siya sa sementadong upuan.
Napasimangot ako bago umupo sa tabi niya. "Still. . ."
She chuckled. "Pft, matulog ka na muna," aniya sabay tapik sa sementadong upuan.
"Hindi nga 'ko inaantok."
"Sus, mamaya aantukin ka niyan."
I pouted. "I won't. I don't want to waste my time sleeping. I'll spend this whole day with you."
Rena's expression softened. "But then you won't have energy for later. Paano tayo makakapagsaya niyan?"
Hindi ako nakasagot sa kaniya na kinatawa niya. Alam na niya ang sagot ko base sa reaksyon ko.
"Come on, you're still spending your time with me. Just sleep for a while, I'll be right here."
My expression changed, I secretly bit my lower lip.
"I'm scared. . . that when I wake up, you're not in my side."
Rena reassured me with a smile.
"I'll be right here. I'll wake you up as soon as the sun rises."
Even though I'm hesitating, I trusted her words. I lie down at the cement, slowly closing my eyes.
Maybe she was right, I'm tired. It didn't took long for me to fall asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.
There are scenarios playing in my head.
"No, p-please-"
"Don't leave me-"
"ZACKY!"
Napamulat kaagad ang mga mata ko na agad ding naningkit dahil sa pagtama ng liwanag sa akin.
Nakapag-adjust ang mga mata ko nang may humarang sa liwanag.
"Rena. . ."
She greeted me with a smile.
"Good morning, Zacky!" masiglang aniya nang tumayo.
Naniningkit pa ang mga mata ko. "You watched the sunrise on your own?"
"Jeez, hindi rito aangat ung araw! Sa kabila! Dito lulubog," she scoffed.
Natauhan ako sa sinabi niya. I forgot, we can't see the sunrise here. Humarap siya sa akin at hinintay akong bumangon.
