Cross and Bullet

Epilogue

"If you don't want her, can you just give her to me?"

"That's exactly what Ash told Kurtiel," pagsasalaysay ni insan sa alin tungkol sa pagtatagpo ni Kurtiel at Ash noong nakaraan linggo.

Dalawang taon muli ang lumipas, kinasal na't lahat ang mga pinsan ko samantalang ako ay single pa rin. But my love life is not as sad as it is before because for the past two years, Ash consistently and patiently pursuing and waiting for me.

Iyong biro kong i-date niya ako ay talagang sineryoso niya. Mahirap palang magbiro sa sundalo, naneneryoso.

I can still remember the first time he showed up in my life.

"Best seller namin 'to. Tikman mo, unang lunok malilimutan mo agad siya."

I never imagined anyone else to love me because I've bet my life onto someone who won't even gamble a penny for me. I always hold someone else on to my prayers, not knowing that my answered prayer is just always there.

"I really came back to check if you're okay, nakasalubong ko kasi siya sa church noong araw na 'yon tapos nalaman kong papunta ka rin doon."

That's the day when Kurtiel and I went to Iesu's house together.

Kinabukasan no'n, Ash contacted me para sunduin sa work para pumunta sa bagong branch ng coffee shop na pagmamay-ari niya.

There, we started to share our sentiments of successes and struggles.

For a long time, we've been here for each other and always mentally present when we're together. He patiently wait for me, for my healing.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na kaya ko ulit buksan ang puso ko para sa taong gusto akong mahalin, kasi for a long time, I always want Kurtiel. It sucks and it really hurts.

"I'll drive for you para hindi ka ma-late, okay?"

Ash never forget to celebrate with me everytime there are special occasions and he is always being thoughtful in giving gifts.

"Tumbler, para hindi mo malimutan uminom ng tubig."

"I know mahalaga sa'yo 'yang scrunchie na 'yan. Palitan mo nalang kapag sira na, ito ang bago."

"Happy birthday. Nalaman ko favorite mo ang peonies, so here."

For the past two years, and even up until this day, he has been a constant presence in my life.

"Pinakinggan ko 'yong You're Gonna Live Forever in Me, maganda!" sambit ni Ash at tinanggal ang airpods sa kaniyang tainga.

"Kanta 'yan na sinend ko kay Kurtiel..." natahimik naman siya sa sinabi ko.

I didn't mean to hurt him nang sabihihin ko iyon. I don't have intentions to hurt him in any way pero mukhang nasaktan ko na siya. Ang tinutukoy ko kasi ay meaning ng kanta, parang swak na swak iyon para kay Kurtiel.

Certainly, it's true that people with the most genuine intentions often end up being hurt.

"Nag-uusap pa ba kayo?" he asked, he sounded like hurt pero kalmado niya iyon na tinanong.