Chasing Sunsets

Chapter 42:

♪♪ Put your open lips in mine and slowly let them shut for they're designed to be together...

"SEREEEEEEEENE!!!!" Napalingon ako nang may sumigaw ng pangalan ko. Hindi ko sya makilala nung una. Wala kasi akong suot na contact lens or glasses. Maikli ang buhok nya na kulay pink yung dulo. Tumatakbo sya papunta sa akin. Habang lumalapit naman sya ay mas nagiging pamilyar na.

"RAZEEEEEELLE!!!!" Tawag ko sa kanya. We hugged as soon as we're near enough. "I missed you Elle!"

"I missed you, besty!" Sagot nya. Elle is my bestfriend. She's an indie singer. That's our dream pero sya lang yung nagkapag-pursue dahil nag-engineering ako. Hindi man lang ako nakapagpaalam sa kanya nung umalis ako.

"Where have you been?! I read your reply to my emails and I've been trying to contact you pero naubusan na ako ng ways kung paano." Sabi nya.

"I'm sorry I hadn't been in touch. But I was okay. I was in a very nice place." Sagot ko. Umupo kami sa labas ng room ni daddy ay doon nag-usap.

"Serene, I'm sorry about your father." Malungkot na sabi nya.

"Thanks for your concern, Elle. Mabuti na lang nandyan ka to help my mom nung wala ako."

"Ano ka ba, we're like sisters. I'm just glad na bumalik ka na."

"Thank you talaga. You stood by my side kahit wala ako." Sabi ko sa kanya. "I heard you've released your first album. Sayang, sorry wala ako nung araw na yun. I know how much that means to you."

"Nandun ka, Serene. We arranged the songs together, remember?" Nakangiting sabi nya sa akin. I just smiled back as an answer.

"Serene, did you ever regret leaving?" Tanong nya, breaking the silence.

"I think, somehow I should. Pero hindi." Sagot ko sa kanya. "I don't regret leaving. The only thing I regret is not coming home sooner. Hindi ko alam na nagsasuffer na pala sila ng ganito while I was there having fun. I wish I was here to take care of my dad too."

"It's still not too late, Serene. You can still take care of him. He's very much alive and fighting. It's never too late." She said.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang makita ko si mommy na papalapit sa amin. Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya

"Mom, anong sabi ng doktor?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"It's not good." Malungkot na sagot nya sa akin. I know she's almost crying. "Mabilis daw yung pagkalat ng cancer cells sa katawan nya."

"What are we gonna do?" I know it's a stupid question pero yun lang ang lumabas sa bibig ko. I was about to cry pero kailangan kong maging malakas. I wish I got my mom's strength. Hindi ko alam kung paano nya nakaya ito ng mag-isa nung hindi pa ako bumabalik.

"We decided na pumunta sa California for your father's treatment. Dustin's family recommended a doctor." Sagot nya. Doktor nga pala sa UCLA yung kapatid ni Dustin. Marami nga silang kakilalang magagaling na doktor dun. "Habang nandun kami. Ikaw na muna ang bahala sa firm."

"No, mom. Sasama ako."

******

Nikos Caprielle

I rushed to my phone when I heard it ringing. I've been waiting all day for this. Hindi ko na tiningnan kung sino. I picked it up immediately.

"Serenity?" I waited for her to answer.

"Mr. Caprielle." Shit. Hindi to si Serene.

"Sorry. How's it, attorney?"

"It's not good, sir." Mas lalo akong nabadtrip sa sinabi nya.