Randomantic (Opposites Attract Hambebe Spin-Off)

14

The soft hum of voices mixed with the faint clinking of champagne glasses echoed through the gallery. As people moved from one painting to another, Guill stood beside Sheena, their fingers loosely intertwined. He stole a glance at her—his wife. The word still sounded surreal to him, and yet here they were, attending Maloi's art exhibit as a married couple.

"Babe, ayan na naman 'yung mga fans ni Maloi," Sheena whispered with a playful smirk as they watched a group of people swarm toward Maloi's section. "Parang di ko alam na si Maloi lang 'yan, dati lang nagka-crush kay Nick tapos ngayon... world-class artist na!"

Guill chuckled, squeezing Sheena's hand. "Oo nga, eh. Sabi nga ni MJ, 'di pala tayo dapat binura 'yung mga doodles niya noon, baka milyonaryo na tayo ngayon kung binenta natin 'yon."

Sheena laughed, her voice light and carefree. It had been years since Nick's passing, but tonight, the gallery buzzed with life—a testament to Maloi's strength and resilience.

"She looks good," Sheena whispered, her gaze landing on Maloi who was smiling while talking to an art critic. "After everything... she looks okay."

Guill nodded, "She's stronger than she thinks, babe. Imagine, all of this? It's like she painted her heart out—every stroke, every color... lahat para kay Nick."

"Yeah," Sheena sighed, feeling a tightness in her chest. She let her gaze wander to the paintings. Most of them were moments frozen in time, memories of Nick and Maloi's love—simple, quiet moments filled with warmth. There was the one of them in Enchanted Kingdom, Nick holding Maloi close under the fireworks. Another where Nick was serenading her at a random samgyeopsal place. Sheena couldn't help but smile.

"Grabe, naaalala ko pa 'to!" Sheena pointed to the painting of Nick with Maloi's family. "'Di ba kinabahan si Nick noon? Buti na lang charming 'yung loko, napalapit agad sa pamilya ni Maloi."

"Tsaka 'yung kantahan sa samgyup, di ba?" Guill added, grinning. "Nick and his karaoke moments... classic. Sabi nga niya noon, 'Walang makakapigil sa superstar!'"

Sheena leaned her head on Guill's shoulder, her heart feeling both heavy and light. "Mahal, Nick would've been proud of her... sa kanilang lahat."

Guill nodded, wrapping an arm around her waist. "He would've been. Alam mo naman si Nick—always the first to support the people he loved."

They continued to walk through the gallery, taking in each artwork, but it was the simple painting at the end of the exhibit that made Sheena pause. It was a sunflower—just a single long-stemmed sunflower. She knew the significance behind it. Nick had always given Maloi sunflowers, even during the most mundane dates.

Sheena swallowed the lump in her throat. "I miss him," she whispered.

"I know," Guill replied softly. "Me too."

As they reached the final painting—a side profile of Nick with his signature cap and sunglasses—Sheena stopped. Her breath hitched. It was the exact image of how Nick looked the first time they met him at MJ and Aiah's engagement party. Memories came flooding back.

"Parang kahapon lang, no? Sobrang saya natin that night, then he just...." Sheena trailed off, biting her lip.

Guill felt the same wave of nostalgia wash over him. He remembered Nick's laughter, the way he could light up any room, how he made everyone feel like they belonged.

Suddenly, Sheena's grip on his arm tightened. "Mahal..."

He looked at her, then followed her gaze. At the exit of the gallery, standing just beyond the doorframe, was Nick. He looked exactly as he did in the painting—cap backwards, sunglasses perched on his head, that familiar playful smile. But there was something ethereal about him, like he wasn't really there... but he was.

"Nick?" Guill's voice came out in a whisper, his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced at Sheena, whose eyes were wide with disbelief.

Sheena squeezed his hand tightly, not daring to blink. "Mahal... nakikita mo rin 'yan, di ba? Di ako nananaginip?"

Guill swallowed hard, nodding. "Oo... nakikita ko siya."

Nick raised his hand in a small wave, that smile never leaving his face. It was as if he was telling them that he was okay—that they were going to be okay, too. Sheena felt her eyes well up with tears, but instead of crying, she smiled.

"Grabe, mahal ko... parang farewell 'to, no?" She whispered, her voice trembling.

Guill nodded, his throat tight. "Yeah... parang ganun nga."

As they watched, Nick raised his hand higher, signaling them to smile—just like he always did. Sheena let out a shaky breath and smiled through her tears. Guill did the same, a soft smile spreading across his lips.

"Mahal kita, Nick," Sheena whispered softly. "'Til next lifetime, okay?"

And just like that, Nick started to ascend. The light enveloped him, and within moments, he was gone—leaving only the warmth of his presence behind.

Guill stood frozen, his heart still racing when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his hands shaking slightly. It was a message from Nick's parents.

**"Guill, sumuko na siya. Sumuko na ang kumuha sa atin kay Nick."**

His breath hitched. The weight of the words settled deep in his chest, a mixture of relief and grief swirling inside him. He handed the phone to Sheena, who read the message, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Sumuko na, mahal... justice is finally here," she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Guill pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as the reality of it all sank in. "We can finally move forward, mahal... for Nick."

Sheena nodded, burying her face in his chest, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in years. "For Nick."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, letting the soft hum of the gallery surround them once more. It wasn't an ending. It was a new beginning—one filled with love, laughter, and the memories of a friend they would carry with them forever.

As they turned back toward the paintings, Guill whispered softly to himself, "Goodbye, Nick... we'll see you again."