Time and Fallen leaves

For Life

(The story of Keen Simmons)

Note: a long chapter ahead

It was Keeana's death anniversary, Erin was away for two weeks. Wala siyang ibang ginawa kun'di ang umiyak at bisitahin ang puntok ni Keeana sa loob ng labing apat na araw. As she visits her grave every day, she would always talk about Keen —her twin that got separated with her since they were little.

"He's really bubbly, he smiles a lot too...just like you" Erin put down the mat on the freshly cut grass and sits. She squinted her eyes as she adjusts to the beam of the sunlight. Sa two weeks na pagbisita niya palagi ay halos mapuno na ng bulaklak ang puntod nito.

"I'm really glad I met you, alam mo naman iyan hindi ba? You ignited the fire in me that was once lost, you gave me hope when I felt like giving up, you made me feel like i am worth loving when I feel worthless." A tear escaped from her eye, the tear that she tried hard not to let out. Hindi siya pwedeng umiyak ngayon dahil kailangan niya nang bumalik sa Evergreen Grove. She can't let anyone see her with puffy eyes —especially Keen. A smile escaped from her lips as she imagined the endless nagging she would get from Keen as soon as she arrive. "Now let me return the favor, I will take care of Keen with all my heart"

***

"Welcome back" Milo's dimpled cheek is the one who greeted her first. Ngumiti na lamang si Erin at naupo sa kanyang puwesto. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ito sanay sa presensya ni Milo, Erin appreciate that he's trying his best to bring back their lost friendship, ngunit nahihirapan si Erin na ibalik ito sa dati. Perhaps it was because she spent almost all her life thinking that Milo would come back for her at the orphanage, but when she finally realized that he will never come back, that's when she stopped thinking about him —until she finally forgets.

"I haven't seen Keen either" mukhang nabasa ata ni Milo ang nasa isip ni Erin dahil kanina pa ito palinga-linga sa paligid. Milo bid his farewell dahil papunta na rin ito sa kanyang homeroom. As she went inside, she noticed that Keen's seat is empty which made the whole class somewhat quiet. Si Keen lang naman lagi ang nag-iingay dito, that's why his absence is easy to spot.

Erin wanted Keen to be the first face that she see once she came back. She cried for almost two weeks, still mourning for Keeana; she wanted to see Keen's bright smile that resembles her best friend. In that way, at least kahit papaano ay nakita niyang buhay si Keeana.

Inabot na ng third lesson ngunit bakante pa rin ang upuan ni Keen. Even the homeroom teacher noticed how no one is nagging him today, he also doesn't know where he went. It bothers Erin a lot, but she tried not to. Siguro ay busy lamang ito sa kanyang debate club, oh di kaya ay nakatulog ito at hindi na namalayan ang oras. But something in Erin tells that something is wrong.

She doesn't listen to her instincts that much, she's a realistic one. But why does she feel like she has to listen to what her guts say this time? May nangyari ba kay Keen?

"Stop thinking about it, baka mamaya magpakita na siya sa office"

"Manghuhula ka ba?" A chuckle escaped from Milo. Ginulo nito ang buhok ni Erin at kinuha ang bag sa kanyang balikat. "Are you a mushroom too?" Aside kasi na parang nababasa agad ni Milo ang nasa isip ni Erin, he seems to always appear out of nowhere.

"No and no. Anyways, kamusta ang art fest preparations niyo? Do you need any help?" Tanong ni Milo habang sinasabayan sa paglalakad si Erin. They were both headed to the canteen, as much as Erin wanted only Keen's company, nasanay na rin ito sa presensya ni Milo. Mukhang seryoso nga ito sa sinabi niya na babawi siya sa mga panahong nagka hiwalay sila. Milo always keeps his words after all, that's why he is already mature despite his youth. Siya lang din ang nag-iisang accelerated ng isang taon dahil sa talino nito, napakalaki ng kanyang pinagbago simula nang umalis siya sa orphanage.