I wake up early with a smile on my face. Today is a special day. Because today is our fifth anniversary! And I am very excited to celebrate it with the love of my life, Rachel.
Hindi na ako nag aksaya pa ng oras at kaagad na nagtungo sa banyo para paghandaan ang espesyal na araw na ito. Pagkatapos kong ayusin ang sarili ko ay dali-dali akong lumabas ng bahay at pinaandar ang sasakyan.
I stopped at the nearest convenience store to buy her all-time favorite chocolate. It's the same store where we always buy her favorite chocolate. Habang nilalagay ang chocolate sa basket, hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti at maalala ang masayang mukha niya kapag regalo ko sa kanya itong chocolate. Parang bata na niregaluhan ng paboritong niyang laruan.
She is so happy, even with a simple Hershey's chocolate.
Pagkalabas ko sa convenience store bitbit ang chocolate na binili ko, nakita ko ang babaeng pinakamamahal ko. She's waving at me across the street, smiling so brightly like the rays of sunshine in the morning, wearing her favorite cardigan sweater. I love her smile; it's warm, and it feels like home.
That's the smile that saved me from the darkness of this world, and it's also the smile I failed to protect.
My tears slowly fell to my cheeks upon seeing the special glimpse of her in our sacred place. The place where we first meet and the place we go to buy her favorite chocolate. I wiped my tears and smiled. I can't afford to look like this when visiting her grave.
Mag-dadalawang taon narin nang mawala si Rachel. She got in an accident saving a child in the street. She's always been like this, saving others first, even if it means risking her life. She also saved me when I first met her. I'm a stranger, but still, she saved me.
Pagkarating ko sa libingan ni Rachel ay inilapag ko ang basket ng favorite chocolate niya.
"I brought your favorite chocolate," wika ko at umupo sa tabi ng libingan niya. "I miss you, babe. Walang araw na hindi kita na miss parang hanggang ngayon hindi parin ako sanay na wala ka. Sa totoo masakit parin. But I had to let go of this pain, and just like you always said to me, babe, 'Life is always sad, and it's only our choice to live with it or choose to be happy and keep living to the fullest.' That's why I'm trying my best, babe, to live life to the fullest."
I grabbed one of the chocolates in my pocket and opened it. On my first bite, all the sweet memories we had together flashed into my mind. I still remember everything all too well.
Just like the Hershey chocolate that she loves, I will always remember those sweet times we spent together. Time may change and forget, but I will always remember this piece of her she has given me, and here she stays in my heart forever.
- The End.
