Epiphany at Dusk : Short Story

At Dusk

Nasa kalagitnaan ng dapithapon si Ember Luna "EL" Cruz habang tahimik na naglalakad sa tabing-dagat. Ang bawat yapak niya sa buhangin ay nag-iiwan ng marka na agad ding binubura ng mga alon. Ang langit ay puno ng mga kulay kahel, pula, at ginto na tila ba nagbabadya ng isang mahalagang pagtatapos.

She was about to meet Marcus again. Seven years had passed since they last saw each other. Sa isang simpleng coffee shop they started sharing dreams and plans for the future. But like many stories, dumating din ang mga hadlang..... mga pangarap na kailangang sundin, mga desisyong kailangang gawin. They never imagined that these choices would pull them apart, but they did.

Now, at the edge of a summer dusk, they agreed to meet once more at their favorite spot. Habang lumalapit si EL sa lugar na iyon, nakikita niya si Marcus na nakatayo malapit sa isang malaking bato, nakatanaw sa dagat. Pareho silang natahimik nang magkatitigan sila, tila ba nag-uusap ang kanilang mga puso.

“It’s been a long time” Mateo said, smiling, a smile full of memories.

“Seven years” sagot ni EL, habang lumapit at tumabi sa kanya. She felt her heart beat again, but this time, it was differet.... calmer, more accepting of everything that had happened.

They talked, reminiscing about the past, about the dreams they once shared. Ang bawat salitang binitawan ay may kasamang ngiti, at minsan, mga tahimik na buntong-hininga. Wala nang lungkot, wala nang pagsisisi, tanging pasasalamat na lang sa mga sandaling ipinagkaloob sa kanila noon.

“Did you fulfill your dreams?” EL asked, looking at Marcus.

“Yes,” Marcus replied, “And you?”

Ngumiti si EL. "Oo. Pero alam mo, Marcus, natutunan ko na ang mga pangarap ay hindi laging kailangan ng katuwang para maging totoo. Sometimes, we have to follow our own path.”

Marcus nodded, nauunawaan ang ibig niyang sabihin. "You're right, EL. At natutuwa akong nakita ko kung gaano ka na naging matagumpay. You’ve achieved so much.”

"Salamat," EL said, feeling the warmth of his genuine care. “And thank you for the memories. I’ll always treasure them.”

As they continued to talk, the sky grew darker. Ngunit sa bawat sandali, pakiramdam ni EL na ang liwanag sa kanyang puso ay hindi nawala. Because, it had become a guide, helping her accept every part of her life, including the love she once gave to Marcus.

Nang magdilim na nang tuluyan, nagpasya na silang magpaalam. “Until we meet again,” Marcus said, holding her hand firmly, but without pain. Isang hawak na puno ng pag-unawa at pagpapalaya.

"Hanggang sa muli," tugon ni EL, habang nakangiti.

At sa huling pagkakataon, nagkatitigan sila, puno ng pagmamahal na hindi naglaho kahit sa paglipas ng panahon. But they both knew that their paths were now different, and that was right and enough.

Habang naglalakad si EL palayo, naramdaman niya ang kakaibang kapayapaan. Hindi na mahalaga kung hindi sila nagkatuluyan, ang mahalaga ay natutunan niyang mahalin ang sarili at tanggapin ang mga pagkakataong dumating sa kanyang buhay. Their love had become a part of her story, a beautiful chapter, and though it didn’t end with “THEM,” it ended with a happy heart.

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WAKAS.