Seventh Sense (Erityian Tribes, #2) | Published under Pop Fiction

Chapter 63

I felt his warmth amidst the rain and I can clearly hear his heartbeat even though we're surrounded with pandemonium. Being held by his arms made me feel at ease. Parang tumigil ang mundo ko at siya lang ang tanging nakikita at naririnig ko.

Ang tagal kong hinintay na magkita ulit kami. Ni hindi ko lubos-maisip na halos mag-iisang taon kaming nagkahiwalay. I managed to be with his consciousness but that was it. The only thing I want is to be with him together with our daughter Rainie but fate is really cruel on me. And now I know that my simple wish will never come true anymore.

Unti-unti na ring nawawala ang boses nila sa isip ko pero nanatiling konektado ang isip namin ni Hideo. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at kasabay nun ay ang tuluy-tuloy na pagtulo ng luha ko.

'I've been waiting for you,' sabi ko at naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng yakap niya sa akin.

'I know and I'm sorry if I—'

'It's not your fault.' Pinilit kong itaas ang kamay ko at hinawakan ko ang mukha niya. Pinunasan ko ang luhang tumutulo sa mga mata niya at kasabay nun ay hinalikan niya ang kamay ko. 'Alam ko ang pinagdadaanan mo. After all, I am like you. You'll be the next tribe leader and that position carries a lot of burden. Kaya huwag mong sisihin ang sarili mo.'

'Pero dahil doon, napabayaan kita.'

Naramdaman ko ang pagpatak ng luha niya sa mukha ko kasabay ng pagbuhos ng ulan. Lalo lang akong naiyak nung nabasa ko ang isip niya. And now, I'm going to lose you again, he said.

I know I'm going to die but why does it have to be so soon? Bakit ngayon pa kung kailan kasama ko na siya? Bakit ngayon pa kung kailan mabubuo na ang pamilya namin? I just have a simple wish—to be with my family and to grow old with them—but I guess fate is really cruel to me.

'May I wish for something?' tanong ko sa kanya at nakita kong pinigilan niya ang pag-iyak niya.

'Anything. What do you want me to do?' Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya.

'Please stay. That's all I need.' Pagkasabi ko nun ay ngumiti rin siya sa akin pero ramdam ko ang sakit sa mga mata niya.

'I will. I won't leave your side again,' he said then he hugged me tighter.

I know that Hideo is in pain but somehow, I'm glad that he's crying for me. Strong people like him always hide their pain even though they're dying from it. But right now, he's showing his emotions and it's all because of me. I never thought that he can cry like this.

If I'm only allowed to wish for a second life, even as a humdrum, I would gladly take it. I want to know him more. I want to marry him just like what humdrums do. Before, I always view wedding and other humdrum ceremonies as corny and nonsensical but right now, I'm thinking what if we got married? What would I feel? What would it look like?

'How about we do it right now?' Nagulat naman ako nung narinig ko 'yun sa isip ko at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nung nakita ko siyang ngumiti sa akin.

'Is that possible?' tanong ko at naramdaman kong humihina na rin ang inner voice ko.

'Of course.'

Inalalayan niya ako at lalo niya akong inilapit sa kanya habang si Nathan ay nasa pagitan namin. Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko at habang tinititigan niya ako ay parang lalo akong nauubusan ng hangin. Hanggang sa dulo, iba pa rin ang epekto niya sa akin.