Some people say that after you die, you have seven minutes of brain activity left. And in that seven minutes, you would see your life flash before your eyes.
When I heard about it, I wasn't convinced. It sounded like something I would watch in movies or read in novels. But then something happened to me while I was on my way to see my wife. I got into a car accident along C5.
All I remember was a flash of light before everything went black.
***
7 minutes
"What's going on?"
Maine burst into the room, startling RJ and the doctor who as checking his vitals.
"Menggay," RJ breathed. "You're here."
"Ano ito? Joke? Masamang biro 'to, RJ, hindi nakakatawa."
"Grabe siya! Hindi ko sinasadyang mag-collapse during rehearsals no!"
The doctor cleared his throat.
"Oh!" Maine exclaimed. "I'm sorry. How is RJ?"
"He's fine. He just needs to rest."
"Ayan na nga ba sinasabi ko! Sobrang workaholic ka kasi, RJ!"
"Menggay naman," RJ protested weakly. "Alam mo naman kung bakit nagsisipag ako eh."
"Pwes, ngayon hindi na pwede. You clearly need a break and that's what you're doing."
"But..."
"Ms. Mendoza is right, Mr. Faulkerson. You have to take it easy for a while."
"Fine," RJ said with a heavy sigh. "I'll call Mama Ten to adjust my schedule."
Maine smirked at RJ triumphantly.
***
6 minutes
"So?"
"What?" RJ said, taking a bite of his steak. They were eating at their favorite restaurant to celebrate their third anniversary.
Maine crossed her arms over her chest. "Remember what happened the last time you were at the hospital?"
"What about it?"
"Well, you still haven't done anything but work!" Maine reprimanded him. "Dapat nagpapahinga ka na nga ngayon pero may shoot ka pa mamaya."
RJ sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. I already asked Mama Ten to clear my schedule for a month."
"Really?" She beamed at him. "I'll do that as well! Sobrang excited na ako. Alam mo na ba ang gusto mong gawin?"
"Hindi pa eh."
Maine set her bag on her lap, unzipping it and taking out a pen and paper. "Ayan. Isulat mo diyan ang limang bagay na gusto mong gawin. Gawa ka ng bucket list mo."
"Sure ka bang lima lang?"
"Ehhhhh. 'Wag mo ng isama iyung ano..."
He laughed. "Sige. Ngayon na ba?"
"Yes! Para maayos na agad natin ang mga detalye."
After thirty minutes, RJ finally finished writing. "Okay, I'm done."
"Patingin." Maine leaned in towards him and smiled when she saw the list.
1. Get my Bachelor's Degree
2. Marry Menggay
3. Go back to Lake Como or Japan (with Menggay)
4. Buy a home for my family (with Menggay)
5. Have babies (with Menggay)
***
5 minutes
"Sasabihin mo na ba sa akin kung bakit wala ka nung birthday party ko kanina?" Maine asked with a fake smile on her face. He knew that she was furious at him. But it couldn't be helped.
"Gusto mo ba talagang malaman?"
"Bakit? May tinatago ka ba?"
RJ pulled a box out of his pocket, setting it on the table between them.
"Ano ito?"
"Open it."
"Ayoko! Baka may mangga diyan!"
"Susmaryosep, Menggay. Para kang ano."
"Teka. Ito ba ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ka nagpakita kanina?"
He nodded, taking the box from the table. "Sa ibang bansa ko kasi ito ipinagawa. Dapat darating kahapon kaso nagkaroon ng delay sa Customs."
With his gaze glued to her face, he moved towards her and sunk down on one knee. "Menggay, hindi ko alam kung paano sasabihin ito."
Maine opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.
"Three years ago, you told me to write my bucket list. Nagawa ko na iyung una. Ngayon, I'm ready to fulfill the next one."
He flipped open the ring box which contained an emerald cut diamond ring. "Love, I'm ready to spend every day of my life with you and our future children. Will you marry me?"
"Ganoin? Gulatan? Grabe ka! Wala man lang alarm, walang anything."
"Menggay..."
"Paano ako sasagot ng matino eh nang-aano ka!"
"Ano? Hindi kita inaano ah!"
"Inaano mo ako! Alam mo namang isa lang naman sagot ko eh!"
"Hindi eh," RJ said with a bright smile. "Ano bang sagot mo?"
"Ikaw!" Maine reached out to pinch his cheeks. "Syempre, yes na yes, baby boy!"
***
4 minutes
"Where are we going?"
"We're going to Italy, Japan, and then," RJ trailed off, looking at her with a soft smile on his face.
"And then?"
"We're going home. Pwede na nating binyagan ang bahay natin sa Bulacan."
Maine laughed, playfully pulling him towards their bedroom.
***
3 minutes
"RJ! Saan mo tinago si Thirdy? Kailangan na niyang maligo."
RJ turned to his son who was hiding behind his legs. "Wag kang maingay ha? Gugulatin natin ang Mommy mo kapag dumaan na siya dito sa kwarto."
"Humanda ka sa akin kapag nakita kita, RJ! Jusko. Parang dalawa na talaga ang anak ko."
His son gave him a toothless grin which made RJ chuckle in response.
***
2 minutes
"Are you happy?" Maine snuggled next to RJ.
"Oo naman. Masayang masaya ako."
***
1 minute
I could no longer tell what's going on. Why did it have to be me? I had so much to live for. My son...my adorable son shouldn't grow up without a father. My wife, who changed my life for the better, shouldn't walk on this earth alone.
I want to do so much more...
***
For hours, Maine prayed for a miracle to happen. RJ has been in a coma for five months and the doctor already advised her to pull the plug. But she couldn't.
They waited so long to be with each other. She wouldn't let something like this get in the way of their forever.
Her train of thoughts was interrupted by a groan and the creak of a bed.
"Menggay?" a hoarse voice called out softly.
"RJ."
***
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! 😁
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AMACon 3: Oikos (30 Day Drabble Challenge)
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