Epilogue
Today's Synestine's fifth death anniversary.
When I traveled from our house to Chester Town, I thought everything would be safe and sound for me, but I never thought a series of unfortunate events would greet me. Moving away from Chester Town after Synestine's death was a massive adjustment for me. A lot of things changed, especially seeing where our old coffee shop was. It was now a bookstore which I believe Synestine would love to visit as well.
"Will you be fine here, love?" I uttered, brushing my hand on her name from her gravestone. "I'm sorry if wasn't able to visit you frequently because life gets in the way somehow. Don't be surprised, but I was doing better than I ever was."
I felt the wind brushed off at the back of my neck. Nakiliti pa ako sa nangyari, pero napangiti ako dahil alam kong si Synestine iyon.
"I know you've been missing that blueberry cheesecake. I brought you a slice," I spoke. "I also brought some painting tubes and a paintbrush here. I'm sure you're missing a lot of things to do up there, so here's something to occupy your time."
I took a deep breath and I couldn't help, but let tears run down my cheeks.
"Limer had his fifth birthday the other day. I wished I could get him to come with me today, but he was at school and my parents wouldn't want me to make him miss his classes. I know he was thinking of you. I hope you've seen him grow up, Sy. . ."
Later on, a blue butterfly landed on the back of my hand. It stayed there for a couple of minutes until it flew away. Somehow that made me feel a little bit better. I spent a little more time talking a lot about things I did lately and when I remembered what Limer told me about his wish, I knew I had to ask her as well.
"Tell me something, babe. . . Do you want me to be in a new relationship again? Someone other than you?" I questioned. "Limer told me his wish was for me to have a girlfriend. When I asked him about it the next day, he was so sure about it and seemingly believed you told him about it. I'm not sure about it. . ."
Mayamaya lang ay nakaramdam muli ako ng ihip ng hangin sa paligid. Some of the leaves from the trees fell on the ground. If I could only stay here for the rest of my life with you, I would, but I'm sure you wouldn't like me to get stuck in this situation forever.
I only decided to leave when my stomach grumbled. I promised her that I would be back soon and I would take our son with me. I knew Limer wanted to visit his mom.
Pagkalabas ko naman ng Chester Town Cemetery, I was going to make a call when someone bumped into me. He was sorry for bumping into me and then I only realize that he took something away from me. Nang kunin ko ang atensyon niya ay saka ito tumakbo nang mabilis at agad ko rin naman itong hinabol.
He was running like an ostrich and I don't think I would be able to catch him. When he crossed the street, I was about to do the same thing when a car almost hit me. Napahawak ako sa hood ng sasakyan habang nakatingin sa babaeng nagmamaneho na tila nagulat din sa nangyari. Agad ko rin namang inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya at muli kong hinabol ang lalaki, pero tuluyan din itong nawala sa paningin ko.
Nang hindi ko na nakita ang lalaking kumuha ng wallet at phone ko ay pumunta na ako sa police station para i-report ito. Nireport ko nag sa kanila, pero hindi rin naman nila agad ako natulungan na hanapin ang snatcher.
When I thought nothing could help me, I decided to walk on the side of the road and try my luck if I could hitchhike. Bawal sasakyan naman ay nilalapagpasan ako kaya imposible pa na makauwi ako sa bahay. Hapong-hapo naman ako at hindi ko na alam kung ilang kilometro na ba ang nailalakad ko. Hindi kalayuan ay may natanaw naman ako papalapit na sasakyan ay may pumasok na ideya sa isipan ko.
I raised my hand asking to hitchhike, but at the back of my mind, the driver would just ignore me, until I passed out—jokingly.
Saglit lang ay narinig ko ang sasakyna na huminto hindi kalayuan sa akin. Narinig ko rin ang pagbukas ng pinto ng sasakyan hangga't sa mga yabag ng sapatos papunta sa akin. Naramdaman kong may lumapat na daliri sa leeg ko at pinakiramdam niya ang bawat paghinga ko. She was trying all her ways to wake me up.
I opened my eyes and lay down on the ground for a few minutes. I stood up asking, "Where am I?"
"You're almost going out of the boundary of Chester town. You don't remember?"
I shook my head. "No, no, sorry. . . I remember. I'm just exhausted."
"Oh!" she gasped. "I have water in my car if you want?" pag-aalok pa nito sa akin. Dali-dali naman siyang tumungo sa sasakyan niya at pagbalik ay may inabot itong bote ng tubig sa akin. Ininom ko rin naman iyon at naubos ang lamang tubig. Napansin ko naman ang hitsura niya at iba ang tingin sa akin.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked. "But anyway, thanks for this. I appreciate your help—'cause really, you're the only one who helps me here." He sighed.
She grimaced. "Oh-okay. . . I gotta leave now, you can keep the bottle."
Pabalik na siya sa sasakyan niya nang muli kong tawagin ang atensyon niya.
"Ah—what is it?" she stuttered.
"Can I get a ride?" I asked, hoping she would let me. Nagawa na niya akong bigyan ng tubig, pasakayin pa ba sa sasakyan niya?
"Hmm. . ." she hummed. "I do know that busses would come by here every hour. I think that would be your ride. . . I guess so."
I scratched my head, chuckling. "That's the problem, I have no money on me. I was robbed and lost all my stuff. I tried to get a ride to every car that was passing by but all of them didn't bother to stop. At least you did."
"Well, you passed out. And I think you need help with that situation," she reasoned.
"Touche," I responded. "But please. . . you can drop me off at the nearest stop."
Alam kong pinag-isipan niya pa kung papasakayin niya ako o hindi, pero sa huli ay pumayag siya. Sumakay ako sa loob ng sasakyan niya at isinuot ko ang seatbelt habang inaayos niya rin ang sarili niya.
"Are you ready?" I asked her as I thought she was looking weirdly at me. I hope her day's not as bad as mine.
"Of course. . ." she started the engine and now we're back on the road, I know she was anxious, but I won't bite her or do anything bad. I just want to get home.
Hopefully, nothing bad will happen and she would get me to the nearest stop safely. . . Or maybe to a destination we'll never find? I might scared her off, but who knows, this could be the trip she wouldn't ever forget in this lifetime.
- The End -
