Lilies and Lullabies

XX. Lilies

3rd Person POV

Emiko's heart beats peacefully. There was a light feeling inside her soul— and this is actually the first time she felt this kind of emotion that she couldn't fathom. She just knows that her soul is at peace. She turned her gaze on the window, she can't see anything but darkness— that's how she sees life, no direction at all. Lost in the darkness. However, there's a tiny light that comes from the city— that's Silas, he was the one who brought lights to her life. 

What she feels right now is the opposite for Dane Silas. His heart is about to burst in pain, driving recklessly to chase the time. He's hoping that he'll not be late. But the world has its different plans. His car stopped midway. He was crying… almost wailing in the middle of the road, begging for the universe to let him see Emiko for the last time. 

Dane Silas was a mess when he met her, however he knew that she's messier than him. He tried to help her to lessen the pain he had been through when his mother died. She became his reason to move forward… because he doesn't want Emiko to be stuck in the past. 

Silas’ brother called him. Worried about his younger brother who called him earlier, crying about Emiko. 

“Kuya, si Miko…” sa boses ng lalaki ay madadama mo ang sakit na dinadamdam niya.

Kahit sinuman ang makarinig sa bawat salita at hikbi ng lalaki ay mahuhulaan na agad ang sakit na dinadamdam nito. Ang mga mata niya ay nangungusap at nagungulila. Alam niya ang mangyayari ngunit, ito siya at nagmamakaawa na pagbigyan pa siya ng ilang minuto… kahit isang segundo na makita muli ang dalagang minamahal.

Daze tried to become more stronger for his brother. Nasasaktan din siya dahil kaibigan niya ang babaeng minamahal ng kapatid. 

“Nasaan ka, Dane? Pupuntahan kita.” 

Dane told his location and Daze went there to fetch the broken latter. Maliwanag na nang makarating ang dalawa sa tahanan nila Emiko. Everyone's already there including their Lola Muning and Tita Jaycee who's currently confused about what is happening. 

Mira's eyes are red and sore. Mirae was wondering why is everyone here except her beloved Ate Emi. Her Mom remained silent, her eyes is full of tears. Si Silas lang ang naglakas ng loob pumasok sa silid ng babae at doon binuhos lahat ng luha na pilit kumakawala sa mata niya. Natagpuan niya ang sarili sa kama ng babae, yakap ang unan at kumot ni Emiko. 

Walang gusto kumilos sa kanilang lahat. Only Tita Jaycee moved to cook after hearing Emiko's decision to undergo that procedure after a long life suffering from the cruelty of the people in her life. Walang maunawaan ang batang si Mirae tungkol sa sinasabi nilang euthanasia. Para sa kanya ay isang misteryo ang sinasabing proseso. 

It's been fifteen hours but no one leaves the house. Lahat sila ay umaasa na baka makatanggap sila ng kahit isang tawag mula kay Emiko. Silas never left her room. He keeps on calling the girl he love the most. Umaasa na baka hindi pa tapos ang istorya nilang dalawa na mula una ay puno na ng lungkot at sakit, hanggang sa pareho nilang natagpuan ang kapayapaan sa gabing hinahabol sila ng bangungot mula sa katotohanan. 

He remained hugging her pillow as if he's hugging his girlfriend. The scent of her pillow reminds him of the moments of him hugging Emiko. Those dances when they're together, singing for each other— everything about her is playing in his mind. Watching those memories in his head as if it was his favorite movie. 

“You didn't even say goodbye,” he chuckled in pain, staring at the picture of his girlfriend in the frame hanging on the wall.

He closed his eyes, trying to contain the pain in his chest while trying to call her, but no matter how he pretends it doesn't hurt, it just hurts. Kahit sabihing tanggap at naiintindihan niya, hindi niya maiwasang tanungin ang kalawakan kung bakit ganito ang kwento nilang dalawa.