It's good to be back. It has been fifteen years since I left this place and there's been too many changes but I can still feel the familiarity of everything. After all, this is my home.
"Where is he?" tanong ko kay Hideo.
"Do you want to see him?" I nodded. "Follow me."
Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang lugar na ayaw na ayaw kong puntahan pero wala akong magagawa dahil nandito siya. Huminto kami sa harapan niya at iniwan ako ni Hideo mag-isa. Pagkakita ko sa kanya ay agad na tumulo ang luha ko. Ang tagal na panahon na pero bumalik lahat ng sakit. Lahat ng luhang pinigil ko.
"I'm back, Vince," I whispered as I caressed his grave.
His death still haunts me and gives me nightmares. Tuwing gabi ay pinipilit kong isipin na panaginip lang ang lahat at buhay pa rin siya. Nandito pa rin siya at hinihintay niya ang pagbabalik ko pero lalo lang akong nasasaktan. Ni hindi man lang kami nakapagpaalam nang maayos sa isa't isa. Ni hindi ko man lang siya nayakap. Hindi ko man lang nasabi sa kanya lahat ng gusto kong sabihin.
He gave his life for our son and for our future. I want to blame him for leaving us but how can I if what he did is the greatest thing a father and a husband can do?
For the first time, I felt useless. Powerless.
What's the use of this power if I can't even stop his death?
"So you're also here." Kahit hindi ako lumingon ay alam ko kaagad sa boses niya na si Michiko ang dumating. Pagtingin ko, lumapit siya sa grave nina Akira at Mayu. She placed flowers in front of their graves and prayed.
The war has just ended three days ago and Tantei High is still grieving for the Senshins who lost their lives. May madadagdag na namang graves dito.
"I can't believe we're having our reunion right here," sabi ni Michiko at nakita kong tumulo ang luha niya. May naramdaman akong presence sa likuran at pagtingin ko, nandoon na rin si Hideo. Nakatalikod siya sa amin at nakatingin lang sa langit.
Habang nandito kami ngayon ay muli na naman akong nilalamon ng katotohanan na tatlo na lang kaming natira...na ang mga kaibigan namin ay wala na.
"Even though a lot of things happened, I'm glad that I still have the both of you," I said while keeping my tears from falling. "So please...don't you ever dare to die on me, too."
Coming back here and being with them made those memories vivid. If I could only rewind the time we were the happiest... If I could only stop the time once again...
***
BINABASA MO ANG
Rewind (Erityian Tribes Novella, #2)
Misterio / SuspensoErityian Tribes Novellas, Book ＃2 || What's the use of this power, if I can't even stop his death?
