keira || ✔️

Epilogue

A r k i n.
--Years later--
When the curtains revealed my masterpiece, everyone clapped in awe.

In the painting, was a boy and a girl, sitting on a bench with a fountain behind their backs. Sa likod naman ng fountain, ay ang background na city lights. If a person looks closer, mapapansin niyang may pagkapula ang dulo ng buhok ng babae.

"Mr. Vancouver, puwede ko po bang matanong kung anong inspiration mo sa painting na ito?," a journalist asked.

Mula sa suot niyang t-shirt at blue jeans, mahahalata agad na amateur pa lang siya sa pag-iinterview.

Nonetheless, I faced him, "This painting is one of my favorite memories."

"Ano pong memory? Oops, personal po ba?"

"Uh. Hindi naman," I smiled awkwardly at him, "I used to go to late-night drives with someone. Lagi kong napapansin 'yung city lights... then I promised myself that one day, I will paint them."

"Eh paano naman po iyong fountain?"

"Meron kaming fountain sa campus namin eh kaya naisipan ko na ring idagdag."

"Ibig sabihin, kaklase niyo po dati 'yung babae dito sa painting?," mangha niyang tanong.

Unconsciously, pinagpawisan ako nang malamig. Keeping my composure, I told him, "No, nilagay ko lang yung babae because I thought the painting would have more impact."

"Ah, so that's why. E bakit po may red sa dulo ng--"

"Please excuse me," medyo inis kong sabi.

Hindi ba niya alam na bawal magtanong ng personal questions? Probably not.

"Hoy Arkin Lawrence Vancouver!"

Hindi, Arkin. It's just your imagination... Hindi si Keira 'yan.

Napa-aray na lang ako nang mahina nang may bumatok sakin nang pagkalakas-lakas.

"Ano ba 'yan?! It's been years pero kung hindi pa kita babatukan, hindi ka pa lilingon!"

"This is not a dream, right?," naiiyak kong tanong sa babaeng kaharap ko.

She was wearing a black cocktail dress with her hair down. Meron pa ring kulay pula ang dulo ng buhok niya but this time, it was more vibrant.

She gently smiled at me. "No, you're not dreaming, Ark."

"Where have you bee--"

I was caught off-guard when I felt her lips on mine.

Keira Dione Villafuerte.

She came back for me... I didn't expect her to return for me but Keira being Keira, she did the unexpected and came back.

- f i n -