Tears of Sorrow | COMPLETED

Fifteen

V I N C E N T

I followed Zane to her Dad's room, nakaupo siya roon habang yakap-yakap ang damit ng daddy niya.

"Zane," I called.

"Stay away from me," She glared. "May i-iba ka na ba?"

Lumuhod ako at pinantayan siya as I cuffed her face.

"No...no...no," paulit-ulit kong sabi "You're wrong, Zane. You're wrong." I uttered.

"Then—" putol niya sa sarili niya, "then bakit ka nagsisinungaling sa'kin?!" She sobbed as she added. "Sinasabi mo na k-kailangan mong puntahan si Kate dahil may kailangan siya..."

"But Vince— t-tang ina naman... Don't make me look like a fool,"

Niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit pero pilit siyang nagpumiglas. "Tell me the fucking truth!" She loudly yelled. I sighed deeply bago naglakas loob na sabihin sakanya ang totoo.

"M-may sakit ako, Zane..." I let out a tear, I finally have the courage to tell her.

"I-I'm dying, y-yung sinabi ko sayo noong nakaraang gabi, i-it was true." I stammered.

"I have a brain tumor. I only have a few weeks left, Zane." I explained. "I tried looking for Tita...for you, k-kasi ayokong mag-isa ka."

"Hindi ako mag-isa. Y-you're here,"

"That's also what I wish for...to stay with you. I couldn't change my fate kahit anong gawin ko, Zane"

"A-and I have to accept that..." I cuffed her face, wiping her tears away.

"Please, Vince. Fight for me, for us." She begged, hugging me.

"Gusto kitang makitang masaya bago kita iwan," I brushed her hair.

"Lalaban ka pa, hindi ako papayag." She faced me.

"Pagod na akong lumaban, pagod na pagod na. The miracle we hoped didn't come."

"It'll be over soon,"

"Pati ba naman ikaw..." She pushed me a little. Bago ko siya niyakap ulit. We stayed in that position for a while, caressing her.

"I-I'm sorry for breaking my promise, and for b-breaking your heart," I said, my lips trembling.

"I love you so much," Inilapit ko ang labi sa ulo niya at hinalikan iyon.

"I love you..." muli kong sambit. "Let your anger go. Fix your relationship with Tita, yun lang ang tanging hiling ko sayo,"

I felt her nod bago humeral skin, I closed my eyes, trying to avoid her glances.

"Mahal... na mahal kita..." She uttered. "Kahit pa kamatayan, it will never separate us," We made a pinky promise.

—

Z A N E

L A S T 1 W E E K

"Anak, you're getting married!" My mother excitedly hugged me. "I'm sorry, anak,"

"MA, it's okay. Ako nga dapat ang mag-sorry e." Hinawakan ko ang dalawang kamay ni mama at tumingin sakanya. "I'm sorry kasi hindi kita pinakinggan."

We hugged once more, naiiyak na ako kaya tiningnan ko lang ang sarili ko sa salamin, suit and wedding gown ko. I'm getting married!

-

"Promise," we shouted together as soon as we finished our vows; doing a pinky finger. "Not even death will do us part!"

"You may now kiss the bride," The priest said.

As our lips met in a tender embrace, he seemed to melt into the moment, his body slackening against mine. We held the kiss for what felt like an eternity, our passion building with each passing second. And then, just as slowly as it had begun, he broke away from me, his eyes locking onto mine as he fell to the ground in a heap. For a moment, he lay there, breathless.