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《Past Life》
June 16, 2001
Saturday | 7:08 PM
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Mahina pa ring tumutugtog ng gitara si Lorenzo.
The bar felt warmer now.
Hindi na ganoon kabigat ang hangin tulad ng mga nakaraang taon.
For the first time in so long, there was music again inside Oren Bar. And for the first time in so long... Lorenzo didn't feel guilty for smiling.
"When I know I've got you with me..."
Mahina niyang tinapos ang kanta. Iris softly clapped from the side of the stage.
"Not bad," she teased gently.
Napailing siya nang mahina habang natatawa.
"Sinabi ko bang kumanta ka rin?" puna nito dahil nakita niyang sumasabay si Iris kanina.
"Excuse me? Supporting cast kaya ako dito."
"Supportive ka pala?"
"Whatever."
That made him laugh again. And hearing that sound, that genuine laugh, felt almost unreal after everything they've been through.
Pero bago pa muling makapagsalita si Iris, biglang bumukas ang pinto ng office sa gilid ng bar.
Lumabas si Tito Diego.
May hawak na bote ng beer.
Mukhang pagod.
Maputla.
"Tito-"
Hindi na natapos ni Lorenzo ang sasabihin dahil bigla nalang bumigay ang katawan ni Tito Diego.
"TITO!"
Mabilis na bumagsak ang bote sa sahig, kasabay ng malakas na pagkatumba nito.
Agad na napatakbo sina Lorenzo at Iris.
"Call an ambulance!" sigaw ni Lorenzo habang inaalalayan siya.
Hindi gumagalaw nang maayos si Tito Diego. Nahihirapang huminga. Namumutla.
"Tito! Look at me!" nanginginig na sambit ni Lorenzo.
Ngunit hindi ito sumagot, ni hindi man lang dumilat.
Mabilis ang lahat pagkatapos noon.
Sirena.
Mga nurse.
Mabilis na takbo sa hallway ng hospital.
At ngayon, nakaupo si Lorenzo sa labas ng ICU.
Tahimik, nanginginig ang mga kamay. Habang si Iris ay nasa tabi niya lang.
No words. Just presence.
Then finally,
lumabas ang doktor.
At doon niya narinig ang mga salitang hindi niya makalimutan.
"Lorenzo," the doctor called his name as if he knows him too well.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Life That Echoes
FantasySome love don't end. They linger-soft, distant, and aching like echoes that refuse to fade. Lorenzo once had a love that felt like forever. Annys was his home, his future, his everything. Until death took her too soon, leaving behind a silence he n...
