Tale of Time

10

"So, this is how a father feels to watch his daughter walk down the aisle."

Hindi na kailangan pang lumingon ni Esme para tignan ang may-ari ng boses ng bagong dating.

"Why aren't you there?"

"I don't want to ruin her special day."

Esme quietly agreed. Despite giving a chance to bumawi sa kanilang mga anak, they are already ashamed of everything they have done.

Yes, the universe has done them a favor, but do they deserve it?

"I don't want to give you false hopes but..." Tumingin si Violeta kay Cronus na nananatiling nanonood.

"- It would be great to at least greet her. She may not want you to be at her wedding, but I believe she will appreciate it if you make an effort to attend."

"I agree." Tinaas pa ni Signia ang kanyang kamay.

"Ibaba mo yung pride mo. Ikaw 'tong may kasalanan kaya dapat ikaw ang maghirap." Irap ni Denrich.

"I'm not even saying anything?" Irap din ni Cronus.

"Kahit bumawi ka lang pero 'wag sa paraang alam mo dahil ano bang alam mo?"

"What the fuck is your problem with me?" Nananaliksik ang mga mata ni Cronus na hinarap si Denrich.

"Wala, gago ka kasi. Manahimik ka na nga at nanonood ako."

Natawa si Cosmos at pinagtaasan ng kilay si Cronus, halatang natuwa sa pambabarang ginawa ni Denrich sa kilalang god.

"Okay, shh. They're saying their vows already," pagpapatahimik ni Violeta sa kanila.

That's how everyone's attention shifted back to the wedding.

"Hi." Pream giggled his voice trembling.

"Ah. How do I even begin?"

"Just how lucky I am to be able to stand here in front of you and have the honor of being called as your husband?" He took a deep breath.

"I was never perfect. My... parents resented me. Siguro kasi sutil ako nung bata? O baka sa sobrang gwapo ko nairita na sila?" He said with a laugh.

"Magulo ang pamilya ko, lumaki akong walang direksyon sa buhay, wala akong maipagmamalaki pero tinanggap mo ako." 

"Tinanggap mo ako kahit wala namang katanggap-tanggap sa'kin."

Napailing si Enfys kasabay nang pagtulo ng mga luhang kanina pa pinipigilan ni Pream.

"You showed up at the most unexpected time in my life." He grinned, remembering Veton's constant praise for her intelligence.

"Let me rephrase it. Matagal ka nang dumating at hindi ko lang napansin, and I'm sorry for the time we wasted."

"We should've explored this realm more, flew higher to see new sights. We could have done more before you..."

Nahirapan sa pagsasalita si Pream dahil hindi niya kayang bigkasin ang mga alaalang hindi niya kayang balikan.

"Before you..."

"- vanished." 

Enfys' heart broke. Alam niyang hindi naging madali para kay Pream ang pagkawala niya pero hindi niya akalain na hanggang ngayon ay ganito pa rin ang nararamdaman niya.

"Don't worry, okay? I understand. Nahirapan lang ako tanggapin noong una pero kinaya ko naman diba?"

"Kasi alam kong hindi lang ako yung lumalaban." Ngumiti si Pream sa kabila nang nanlalabong mata at inabot ang basang pisngi ni Enfys.

"You were fighting with me, my love."

"And that's already enough for me." 

Mabilis na tumango si Enfys at hinayaan lamang na tumulo ang kanyang luha.