Shots of Secrets

Mahal Kita

I'm here in a bookstore somewhere near the village with my best friend named Claude. We've been best friends since we were kids and who would've thought that I would fall for him.

"Claude, what will be your reaction kapag nalaman mong i'm romantically in love with you?" tanong ko habang busy siya sa pagtingin ng mga libro.

"That can't happen kase mag best friend tayo and I love you as my friend!" natatawang sabi niya at ginulo pa nag buhok ko.

'Yeah,right.. Best friends.'

"But don't worry I promise, I'll stay with you forever hanggang sa mahanap mo na ang the one mo." sabi niya at pinagdikit pa ang noo namin.

Paano ko mahahanap ang the one ko kung naka- focus ako sayo?

"Me too.. I promised I'll stay." sabi ko at pumikit ng mariin.

I smiled painfully when our promises together suddenly flashed backed on my mind.

And now I'm kneeling beside Claude who is currently bathing with his own blood while the people around us aren't helping at all.

"N- nangako ka na hindi mo ako iiwan, Claude, so don't close your eyes and stop talking, okay?" I said while my eyes are starting to get blurry because of own tears.

Claude held my hand, causing me to stop giving him first aid dahil ang tagal dumating ng ambulansiya. He held my hand tightly na para bang ayaw niyang bitawan.

"Ria, I'm sorry.. If I failed you." he slowly said.

I shaked my head as a sign for him to stop but he didn't stop.

"Before letting go.. I have something to tell you." sabi niya at sinubukan pang i- angat ang kamay kong hawak niya.

"No.. No, don't say anything.. Please, stop talking. You know that I can't lose you too right?" I cried.

"S-shh.. I- I love you.. Don't worry, i'll guide you wherever you go.. Sorry for telling you t- this late."

Those are the last words that I heard from him before he closed his eyes and let go of my hand.

Then, I started crying like a kid na para bang inagawan ako ng candy at doon ko pa lang narinig ang ambulansiya.

Claude, bakit ngayon ko lang nalaman na mahal mo rin ako?