Fade Away [Zharm and Daniel]

“Sa bawat minuto ng aking buhay, gusto ko, ikaw lang ang kasama ko. Gusto ko, ikaw lang yung nasa tabi ko. Wala ng iba. Alam mo kung bakit? Kasi, ikaw lang naman rason kung bakit pa ako nabubuhay eh.”

“Ang corny mo!” Sabi ko sabay hampas sa balikat niya.

Hindi naman sa as in na hampas, mahina lang siya. Pero yung totoo? Kinilig naman ako sa sinabi niya.

“Zharm, babe. I have to tell you something.” Bigla siyang nag-ayos ng upo at humarap sa akin. Hinawakan ang magkabila kong kamay.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I love you..”

“Ewan ko sa'yo!” Sabi ko sa kanya. “I love you too, DJ!” I replied.

“Babe..”

“Hmm..”

“Few months from now, I will be leaving you.” I looked at him. Nakatungo lang siya, nakatingin sa magkahawak naming kamay.

“I will miss you. I will miss you holding like this. Touching your face like this. I will miss your presence. Cause I know, you will never be at my side anymore.” Seryosong sabi niya.

“Daniel, what are you talking about? I will always be here for you. No matter what happens.” I said to him and hugged him.

“You don't understand..”

“What do you mean?”

“I will leave you, forever. Promise me, after leaving you, try to love someone else. But don't forget me that I've been a part of your life once.” I tried not to cry. Pero lumabas pa rin ang mga luha ko.

Until I came up with a conclusion.

“Are you.. b-brea..king up with.. m-me?” I broke into tears.

“N-no..” He hugged me again. “I'm not breaking up with you. Alam mong mahal na mahal kita.”

“Then what?!”

“I think this is the right time to tell you this..” Tell me what. “Zharm, I only have 6 months to live. 6 months to be with you. Zharm, I have a brain tumor.” Halos manlumo ako sa mga narinig ko.

Napaupo na lang ako at napa-iyak.

“Zharm, I'm sorry for not telling you the truth. I was so scared.” Then his voice cracked. Umiiyak na rin siya.

“Yun ba.. yun ba yung rason kung bakit minsan bigla bigla na lang sumasakit ulo mo. Kaya ba lagi kang nasa ospital.. Hindi dahil sa sinasamahan mo si JC para sa kanyang therapy kundi dahil may sakit ka rin?”

He nodded.

“DJ, you should've tell me. Alam mo bang masakit sa akin na malamang ang boyfriend ko pala ay may sakit. At malalaman ko na lang na, ilang buwan na lang at mawawala na siya. Daniel masakit yun, alam mo ba yun!”