Last Heartbeat

Wakas

Rocket, do you still remember how we first met? I hope you do. Because memories of that day were still vivid to me.

I am secretly wishing that we were still at that moment. We were enjoying our time to get to know each other, slowly being friends that turned into a family.

I always thought of you as my "romantic family member". I have special feelings for you but you just treated me as your little sister.

And now, as we get through this phase of our lives, I think we are already strangers with memories.

I should thank you for being with me all the time. I still cherished those moments that we shared. But a lot of pain invaded in my system. I cannot do that.

You're my first heartbeat. I still love you.

But now, I only see you as the member of Heinrich Clan and action star Rocket Heinrich, and Jack of Black Spades.

You were once my rocket that could fly me to the moon of happiness.

Yes, I was happy the whole time we were together.

- Snow

Tears filled my eyes as I read the letter she gave to me.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses ko na 'tong binasa mula noong umalis siya tatlong taon na ang nakararaan. Pero hanggang ngayon, sariwa pa rin sa aking isipan.

"Rocket." Biglang pumasok si Heaven. Natigilan siya nang mag-angat ako ng tingin. Napabuntong-hininga rin siya dahil naabutan na naman niya ako sa ganitong estado. "When is your flight to Greece?"

I wiped my tears. "T-Today, 11 a.m." He looked like in a hurry, nakasuot pa siya ng lab gown. "Why?"

"I think Sebastian already knew your whole situation."

"Yeah, sure." Kalmado kong tinupi ang sulat at nilagay sa drawer. "Alam kong lahat ay kaya niyang malaman."

"I'm sorry, bro. May fault din ako. Nabanggit ko sa asawa ko."

Si Heaven ang unang nakaalam ng pagbabanta ni Althea sa akin. I asked him a favor na huwag sasabihin sa iba, even sa malalapit naming kaibigan at pamilya. He did as he promised. And I didn't expect din naman na magla-last 'yon. Lahat ng sikreto ay nabubunyag.

"That's fine, bro." Tipid akong ngumiti at tinapik siya sa balikat. "I knew this would happen."

Ready na rin naman ako once na malaman nila.

"That's why Sebastian called me to bring you to the Heinrich mansion right now." Muli siyang bumuntong-hininga. "Mabuti na lang tapos na kong mag-opera."

Tumango ako. "Let's go."

Binitbit ko na rin ang maleta ko para diretso na ko sa flight ko mamaya.

Sobrang tahimik sa Heinrich mansion. Hindi siya katulad ng dati na may maririnig ka agad na classical music o kaya naman ay mga tawanan ng pamilya namin. Nakakapanibago.

Nagkatinginan pa kami ni Heaven nang madatnan namin sina Sebastian, Shadow, Gretel at Storm na nasa living room. Tag-iisa sila ng upuan na diretsong nakahilera. Habang kaming dalawa ay tumayo sa kanilang harapan, tila ba sasabak sa matinding interogasyon.

"Lyric has already told her side of the story," Sebastian mumbled. Doon pa lang ay medyo kinabahan na ko. "We need yours."

Hindi ko alam na umuwi si Lyric at nagkaroon na siya ng lakas ng loob na magkwento sa kanila. Huling usap namin ay may bakas pa ng trauma sa kaniya. Subalit nakakaya na niyang gawin muli ang mga bagay na gusto niya. Nakakatuwa.