Ang Puting Brief ng Aking Kaklase

Epilogue

Armil's Point Of View

Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang mga mata at mapaklang natawa. Ah, damn. What a fucking headache.

The door opened and Dad's lips parted the moment he saw me.

"Armil!"

"Oh, my God. Call the doctor, he's awake. How are you feeling?" Mom checked my face. "You're awake. Love, he's awake."

Dad nodded and embraced Mom. They comforted each other. The doctore entered the room and scanned my face and my body.

"This is such a miracle. We need to run some test on you. How do you feel as of the moment?" the doctor asked.

"T-thirsty." I couldn't properly speak. There's a tube stuck in my mouth that prevents me from talking clearly.

"Unfortunately, you are not allowed to drink nor eat for twenty-four hours until the results are done."

Nang umalis ang doktor ay bumaling ako sa kanilang dalawa. It seems so true.

"W-what... happened?" I gently asked.

"Oh, honey, you don't remember? You were in a coma for almost six months now. A-akala namin hindi ka na magigising..." Mom sobbed. "Don't force yourself to talk. Life support nalang ang sumusuporta sa 'yo kaya akala namin wala na talaga. I'm glad you are awake now, hon. Lalabas muna kami, okay? Ang sabi ng doktor ay kailangan mo muna ng pahinga. Babalik kami mamaya kapag dumating na ang resulta. We love you, rest well."

Tumango ako. Nang umalis ang mga ito ay napatitig ako sa kisame. Scent. It couldn't be...

I chuckled at myself for feeling so hurt with no valid reason. Nababaliw na nga siguro ako. The last thing I heard was her voice, and now I can't even remember the sound of it. Was it soft? Was she laughing? I closed my eyes and forced myself to sleep, hoping I would remember her.

Nagising ulit ako dahil sa ingay ng paligid. Ipinalibot ko sa kabuuan ng kwarto ang paningin. I came to realize that the tube in my mouth is now gone and I can freely talk.

"Finally, you're awake. Kamusta ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong ni Mommy.

"I'm fine. How long was I asleep?" I hoarsely asked.

Sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay umiyak ulit ito. She sobbed but immediately wiped her tears. She smiled at me.

"Twenty-four hours straight. Bumisita na rin isa-isa dito ang mga kaibigan at kaklase mo."

"Scent... was she here?"

I am still hoping that she is.

"Scent? What do you mean, anak?"

"Oh, nothing."

Fuck this.

The doctor told me I am all good. But it was a miracle that I am alive and still breathing. My head injury was severe and they already lost hope, thinking I will never wake up. Mom believed I will and put the life machine in me.

A couple of days later, familiar faces entered my room. Kaniya-kaniyang dal ng bulaklak, pagkain, at regalo.

"Bilisan mong gumaling, baka hindi ka na makahabol sa lessons natin. Shocks! Late ka na nga pala. But don't worry, nandito naman kami para tulungan kang makahabol. Kaya mo 'yan, matalino ka naman eh," litanya ng president namin, so Thea.

"Kaya 'yan," I chuckled.

Lumapit sa amin sina Nadia at Jane.

"Wow, you're too thin. Bumawi ka rin ng kain, tol," ani Nadia.

"Bibigyan na rin kita ng skincare paglabas mo dito. Ang dry ng skin, nakaka-turn off," ani Jane.

"Come on, guys, pogi pa rin naman ako," I teased.

"Hangin. Ikaw na, De Luna," Josh shouted that sent everyone laughing.

They stayed here for a couple of hours. I appreciated that they all visited me but there still lacking. Jun was here, but not Apple. Walang anino ni Apple ang dumating maski ng kaibigan niya.

A week after, I am finally discharged and is ready to go home. Mom was packing all our belongings while I am sitting on the hospital bed. Dad is outside in our car waiting for us, together with my brother, Travis.

"Hindi ka na magmamaneho pa, Armil."

"Hm? Why?"

"Don't you remember? You crashed our car that's why you were in coma. Naging panatag kami na walang mangyayari sa 'yo, hindi ka naman kasi mabilis kung magmaneho. Accidents can't be prevented. Ihahatid at susunduin ka namin ng Dad mo araw-araw sa school simula ngayon hanggang sa magtapos ka."

Hindi ako naka-imik. I'm still processing the information. In just a snap, a flashback occured in my head.

Mom is right, it was a car crash. Umuulan iyon at pauwi na ako. The rain was heavily pouring that I couldn't even see the road clearly. And then a truck appeared out of nowhere and we crashed into each other. Ngayon mas naging klaro na sa akin ang lahat. Nalinawan na ako.

What happened was all a lie. It was all made up. Napatingala ako ng isa-isang nagsilaglagan ang butil ng mga luha galing sa mata ko. I smiled inwardly. I can feel my heart clenching. This is reality. What the fuck was I thinking?

"Let's go, anak. It's time for you to face the real world again," makahulugang ani ni Mommy.

I CHUCKLED as I watch the clouds on the plane's window. Ilang taon na ang nakalipas pero hindi ko pa rin nakalimutan ang pangalang iyon. Scent. Zethadel Scendra Colina. The girl I created in my dreams.

I created my own story in my dreams while I was in coma. I came to realize that months after I was discharged from the hospital. Napagkonekta ko ang lahat. It caused pain and heartache. It was hard to admit at first... but later on I accepted the fact that that world was all made up and created by my little brain. Gumawa ako ng sarili kong mundo. Mundo na planado ngunit hindi inaasahan.

I will forever love that girl in my dreams.

It still stings until now but I can handle it. I am on my way to California to start a new life there and maybe to find myself. Part of it was also to move on from the woman I loved. Zethadel Scendra is a fiction, and loving a fictional character hurts so fucking bad.

I have to move forward. Hindi ko maaaring ikulong ang sarili ko sa panaginip na iyon. Tama si Scent, I have to live my life to the fullest. This is the way how life goes for me also.

Scent, hindi ko kakalimutang minsan kitang ginawa at minahal. Hanggang doon nalang talaga ang bagay na 'yon. Hindi kita maaaring dalhin sa totoong mundo. Susundin ko ang sinabi mo, mamumuhay akong masaya at kuntento.

Walang Scent na bumisita sa akin noon. Nandoon ang mga kaklase ko, kumpleto sila. Sina Mykee, Jareyn, Alexandra, Christine at iyong iba pa. Maski Roxanne ay nandoon din at bumisita sa akin. Lahat sila. The whole section Leibniz was there except for two person, Apple and Scent.

Why? Walang Apple at Scent sa totoong mundo. Sa totoong mundo na ginagalawan ko, wala ang mga pangalang iyon. Wala ang dalawang taong iyon.

From the very beginning, there was never her.

THE END