Photograph

4

Epilogue
I felt a tear on my cheek and wipe it off. Hinawakan ko rin ang heart-shaped golden locket ko. This was a gift given by my Mom when I was 12.

I opened it and saw our picture,
Him on the left while me on the other half.

I am looking forward on seeing him. Sana ganoon rin ito.

The moment I went out the plane ay siya agad ang nasa isip ko. If you are thinking about Dad ay wala na ito. He died a year ago matapos ang operasyon ko. Heart failure ang ikinamatay nito. Now, I have no one to rely on.

I am planning to settle down here in Manila with him. Kaya sana naman ay makita ko kaagad ito.

Wala pa rin naman palang nagbago kahit na nawala ako for 5 years.
Mapolusyon at grabe pa rin ang traffic dito. Kelan ba toh mababago?
I then decided to stay in a hotel. Pero soon kailangan ko na rin lumipat at humanap na mumurahing apartment dahil mauubos na ang perang ibinigay sakin ni Dad.

A lot of money and effort were given to me para lang maka survive ako. Yun siguro ang rason kung bakit lumala ang sakit niya. Masyado itong na stress out. I feel guilty.
Before he died ay sinabi nito ang salitang "sorry" because of the things he have done to me. Gusto niya lang daw na maging tulad ako ni Mommy. He also said na kapag nakita ko na ulit siya ay dapat hindi ko na ito pakawalan pa. He is happy na rin daw na I will end up with him.
I was crying and smiling at the same time. I am glad na tanggap niya na ang mahal ko.

Sinabi rin nito na I should go to Batangas dahil nandun ang mga Tito at Tita ko but I refuse hindi rin naman ako close sa kanila. I would rather be with him kesa naman sa mga kadugo kong never akong itinuring na kapamilya.

The morning after, my hunt in finding him started. I have no freakin' idea kung nasaan na ito. Wala naman kasi kaming communication ever since we went to different countries. Ayaw ko siyang istorbohin sa trabaho niya at ayaw ko ring malaman kung gaano kasakit ang mga chemo.ko pati na rin ibang ang operasyon na isinagawa sakin. Hindi man ako naging isang Doctor ay okay lang. My professiooid not important as long as I would up with him.

Naniniwala ako na magkikita talaga kami dahil yun ang sinabi namin sa isat-isa years ago. And I am still holding on his words.

I went to his previous apartment pero sabi ng landlady ay matagal na raw itong hindi pumupunta doon. Hindi niya na raw alam kung nasaan na ito.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako. I went on some photography shops and firms pero wala ito doon. But a lady said na kilala niya raw ito isa na pala itong well known photographer. Nakasama niya raw ito sa isang convention dati sa NYC.
I am glad na natupad niya na ang kanyang pangarap. He desoto be happy and successful.
Ngayon ay wala ng makikipigil pa sa amin. We will start a new life together.

Sabi nito na mayroon daw itong opening sa Museum 5 days from now. It is his last show and after that ay mag reretiro na ito bilang isang photographer. I wonder why?
Pero nagalak pa rin naman ako dahil sa narinig ko. Finally, it's my chance. Thank you, Lord.

Inayos ko ang suot kong long sleeved black dress, pati na rin ang locket necklace ko. After 5 years, magkikita na rin kami.

The moment I step in the Museum ay mukha ko agad ang tumambad sa akin.
I place a palm on my mouth dahil sa pagkabigla.
All of the pictures that are hang were my photos, from head to foot.
The photos were all about me. Every frame has my part in it, from my red hair, freckles, nose and pair of lips. Pati mga kamay at paa ko ay nandoon rin.

I wanted to cry so hard pero pinigilan ko.
Pati mga nakakakita sa akin ay napapa hinto dahil alam nila na ako yung nasa mga larawan. All of the pictures were stolen shots and I have no darn idea kung paano at kelan niya ito nakuha lahat.
All I know is that I really love the man behind his camera.

Lalo akong naiiyak dahil sa mga nakikita ko. This is now my sign, a sign that he have waited for me. Thanked God.

Every step and every picture makes my heart thumps so hard.

Napahinto ako bigla dahil sa isang napakalaking larawan sa harapan ko. Kung yung iba ay puro parte lang ng mukha o ng katawan ko itong nasa last part ay ang buong ako.

It was my face and my whole body, my gray eyes were emphasize.
May nakalagay na title dun and it says:
'Cause I can see her perfectly in this cracked darkness.

Napangisi ako, ano kaya ang mafifeel niya kapag nalaman niya na hindi na gray ang mga mata ko? I used to have gray eyes pero after the operation ay naging brown na ang mga mata ko. The moment I saw may new eyes ay lumundag ang puso ko. My new pair of brown eyes reminded me of him. Brown din kasi ang mga mata niya.

Ngayon, makikita ko na siya. Hindi na ako bulag, thanks to the good samaritan who donated his eyes for me. Grabe ang pasasalamat ko dahil amy nag donate at first nawalan na ako ng pag-asa dahil imposible na makahanap ako ng eye donor. Buti na lang compatible kami.

After the operation ay hindi ako nabigyan ng oras na makilala kung sino ito dahil sabi ng nurse ay umalis na raw ito. She also told me na lagi daw yun dumadalaw sa akin, giving me flowers.

Kahit hindi ko naman siya nakilala ng personal ay lagi ko naman siyang ipinag darasal dahil sa kabutihan nito.

I was about to leave para hahanapin kung nasaan siya nang may biglang nilipad ng hangin.
Napatingin ako sa isang pirasong litrato na nahulog sa may gilid ko.
I took a glance on it and was shocked nang makita ko ang picture ko. I haven't seen that photo before but I think this was taken in our School's library way back in College.

I was holding it when a pair of black shoes are now standing in front of me.
I looked up at nakita ko ang isang lalaki na mayroong mahabang buhok at may soot na dim shades.

My eyes were paste on him then I saw a resemblance. Damn, is that him?

"Uhm can you please give me that photo? It's kinda important."
Oh shit. Is this for real?!
I want to hug and kiss him because of the longing.
Hina kong iniabot ang litrato sa kanya. Pero hindi ako nag salita.
"Thanks."
He took the photo and put it inside his pocket. After a few seconds ay nagsalita ulit ito.
"Isn't she gorgeous?"
I can now feel my cheeks getting wet because of my tears.
Why?! How come?
All this time...
"Ahmm-Hmmm." yan na lamang kaya kong gawing ingay.
"Don't you think that it's kinda ironic that I am blind tapos ang nakalagay sa title ko ay: I can see her perfectly?"He chuckled and continued, "Even if I am blind ay klarong-klaro pa rin sa akin ang mukha niya. They say that you have to own a camera just to capture the moments, but I don't believe them, 'cause your eyes alone can capture every moment and I am glad that I have seen her before losing my sight. Now, all I can see is her face."

Naglakad ito palapit sa akin. Pinipiligan ko ang hikbi ko dahil sa pag iyak.
He sniffed and smelled me.
Before leaving his last words were,
"Know what? Your sweet scent reminds me of her. I miss her smell, her soft skin and angelic voice. Thanks for bringing back the memories. I hope that she'll come back home soon."

-fin

A/M:
Please don't hate me. :(