Tahimik ang sementeryo, the air heavy with the scent of freshly turned earth. Nakatayo ako sa gilid ng libingan ni Luna, my hands clenched tightly at my sides. Akala ko kaya ko. I thought I had prepared for this, na magiging matatag ako para sa pamilya. Pero habang nakatingin ako sa maliit na kabaong na unti-unting binababa sa lupa, pakiramdam ko'y unti-unti akong nawawasak.
My little girl. My Luna.
How had I let her slip away? Paano nangyari na hindi ko siya masyadong nakita, hindi ko nasabi sa kanya kung gaano siya kahalaga sa akin?
Naririnig ko ang mga salita ng pari, pero hindi ko matuon ang isip ko. All I could focus on was the sound of dirt hitting the coffin, bawat tunog ay parang suntok sa sikmura, driving home the reality that she was gone—permanently.
Celeste stood beside me, her hand gripping mine so tightly it hurt. But I welcomed the pain. I needed it to remind me that I was still here, kahit parang nawala na rin ang puso ko. I hadn't been the father Luna needed. Lagi akong busy, palaging iniisip na may oras pa naman. But time wasn't on our side.
Habang unti-unting umaalis ang mga tao, I stayed behind, staring at the fresh mound of earth. Hindi ko alam kung paano magpaalam. How could I, when I hadn't said what needed to be said when she was alive?
"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice shaking. "I'm so, so sorry."
BINABASA MO ANG
Luna's Tears
Short StoryIto ay kuwento ng isang babae o anak na kahit kailanman hindi nakaranas ng pag-aaruga o pagmamahal galing sa kanyang mga magulang. "Mahal ko sila, pero ganoon rin ba sila?" "Kung nabubuhay ka pa ba, may magbabago ba?" P.S. new writer here hehe don'...
