Heartbeat Of Summer

19

FINAL SUNSET

Maagang nagising ang lahat.

The room was quiet, halos parang ayaw may mag-ingay. Even the air felt gentle, as if nature itself understood that today wasn't just a trip — it was a goodbye dressed as a wish.

Binuhat ni Kaito ang mga gamit. Si Ate ay double-check ng meds. Si Papa nakausap 'yung driver ng van. Si Mama, hawak-hawak ang kumot ko habang binabantayan ako habang nilalagyan ako ng oxygen at IV line.

Kahit naka-wheelchair ako, they made me feel like I was part of the plan — not a weight, not a burden.

"Ready ka na?" tanong ni Kaito, lumuhod sa harap ko.

I nodded slowly. "Let's go to the end."

HABANG UMAANDAR ang van, tahimik lang kaming lahat. Walang music. Walang maingay na usapan. May mga ngiti, pero may bahid ng lungkot.

Nilagyan ng unan, blanket, portable oxygen. Though everything hurt, I smiled the whole time.I was wrapped in blankets, my oxygen tube in place, my hand in Kaito's.

The world outside passed by like fading memories — rice fields, long highways, children playing by the road.

Minsan, idinidikit ni Kaito ang kamay niya sa bintana.

"Naalala mo? Dito tayo huminto dati. Bumili ka pa ng halo-halo," sabi niya.

I smiled weakly. "Tapos naka ilan ka, nahihiya ka pang magsabi. Masarap talaga halo halo nila doon."

"Tactical move 'yon."

Napatawa ako, bahagya lang. My chest hurt when I laughed, but I didn't care.

"Hinto muna tayo," sabi ni Papa mula sa harap. "May fresh air dito. Saglit lang."

Tumigil kami sa isang lugar na may tanawing bundok at dagat. Si Ate, binuksan ang pinto, si Ason at Hampi bumaba para umikot.

Naramdaman ko 'yung hangin.

Ang simoy.