Timeless Euphoria (Friend Series #3) | ✓

Chapter 28

Athalia's POV

"Hindi ka pa kakain, senyora?" tanong sa akin ni Fernan habang hawak ang platong may pagkain.

Umiling ako. "Wala akong gana."

"Namumutla ka na, senyora. Tatlong araw ka na hindi kumakain." aniya at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Pagod na ako. I feel like giving up and just giving in to the wear and tear of life. I feel like going ahead and take death's sweet embrace, to finally." I said with a cracked voice.

"I thought you were strong." aniya na nagpatigil sa akin.

"Iyon din ang akala ko." wala sa sariling sabi ko habang nakatitig lamang sa kabaong ng aking kapatid na nasa altar.

"Matapang ka, senyora. Alam ko iyon."

"Life is not easy, it is true. It can be difficult. It can be unfair and cruel. But, that is all part of the process; we may not know what the future holds and it is okay to have some doubts, to feel upset or hopeless."

"But never give up on hoping for a better tomorrow. We need to keep going despite the darkness. Patuloy na lalaban para sa buhay." he reminded and gave me a faint smile.

"You sounded so much like him." napangisi ako dahil doon.

Bahagya siyang natawa. "Mana sa akin eh."

"Athalia," my smile widened when I heard her soothing voice.

"Anastasia." suddenly, I bursted out crying as she held me in her arms.

"Its okay, andito na ako. Mahal kita, Athalia." she caressed my hair and tighten the hug.

"Condolence." she added.

***

Pagdating ko sa mansion, hindi ko mapigilang mapadaan at pumasok sa kwarto ni Eulalia.

Pagpihit ko ng pinto bumungad sa akin ang maliwanag at mabangong silid niya.

And there I saw her room filled with birthday decorations. Halatang pinaghirapan niya ang paggawa dito.

Happy Birthday, Ate Athalia!

It was a huge tarpulin with my stolen picture decorated with pink heart ballons.

Mayroon ding mga heart ballons na nakadikit sa wall habang nakasabit ang isang polaroid sa dulo ng tali nito. Isang picture bawat balloon.

The floor was also showered with pink petals of roses. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.

She decorated it in her signature pink style because she knew her favorites were mine too.

Then a small table placed above her bed, a projector.

The large white screen located opposite a projector. It was positioned in such a way that whoever was seated in her bed would be able to clearly view the projection.

With my intrusive thoughts and curiosity, I pressed the play button then a video appeared.

"Hi ate! Happy Birthday!" nakangiting bungad niya sa camera at nag finger heart.

"I couldn't think of any gifts since halos lahat nang naiisip ko is meron ka na. Plus you can buy anything you want so why bother spending so much?"

"Kaya I decided to make a video greeting!"

"Hmmm... I don't know how to start this. But first of all, thank you. For everything, ate."

"Don't cry! Alam mo ba ate na nakakatakot ka umiyak? Hahaha..." she chuckled.

Hindi ko mapigilang unti-unting tumulo ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan. She was too innocent for everything.