We Broke Up

{ ENTRY 10 • All Or Nothing }

Tahimik ang buong paligid habang binabasbasan ng pari si Jamie para sa final rites nito bago ilibing. Her parents were crying in huge grief while Ariadne were silently sitting and weeping for her best friend's loss. Mangilan-ngilan lang ang nakipaglibing, some were relatives and Jamie's classmates too.

Dumalo din si Brent pero naroon lang siya sa likod ng kumpol ng mga tao. He's wearing plain white V-neck shirt, worn out jeans and aviator shades. He is only looking at those people who are paying the final respect to Jamie.

Brent is under emotional drought. Ang daming nangyari sa buhay niya. Whenever he closes his eyes, what he could always remember is the memories he shared with Lily, the joys and the pains - everything. As much as he want to see her but he knew she'll only just avoid him.

Ngayong wala na si Jamie, iniisip niyang bumalik kay Lily at ayusin lahat ng problema nilang dalawa. He's hoping to ask forgiveness to her and start a new life.

"I'll go ahead, Mr. Lim, Mrs Lim, Ariadne. Again, condolences to your family." paalam ni Brent sa mga ito ilang minuto pagkapasok ng kabaong ni Jamie sa nitso sa loob ng mausoleum ng pamilya nito.

Tumango si Mr Lim at Ariadne pero nanatiling madilim ang paningin ni Mrs Lim sa kanya. Kung bakit ay hindi niya alam.

"I've lost my daughter and you lost your wife. We're quits then." sabi nito sa kanya.

Nanatili lang na nakatingin si Brent dito. Ilang segundo pa ang lumipas bago siya magsalita. "We're not playing games, Mrs Lim. I've done my part. You had what you want."

"I had what I want?" ngumiti ito ng matamlay, "I did not, the Lord took my daughter away. Ginawa ko naman lahat nang magagawa ko."

"Mama, that's enough." lumapit si Mr Lim sa asawa at saka umakbay dito. "Magpasalamat na lang tayo kay Brent sa tulong na ginawa niya para kay Jamie."

Pero hindi nakinig si Mrs Lim dito, nagsalita pa siya ng isa pang beses. "Yes, I should've said thank you for staying with Jamie."

Bahagyang tumango si Brent at humakbang ng paatras. "Don't mention it, Maam. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other errands to attend."

Tumalikod na siya at nagmartsa palabas ng mausoleum.

"Brent, I'm sorry for almost destroying your life." biglang sabi ni Mrs Lim.

Natigilan si Brent sa paglalakad pagkarinig dito. Bahagya siyang tumango. He hold back his grunges in his heart, gusto niyang sabihin lahat ng nasa loob niya pero nagpigil lang siya ng sarili. Dumiretso siyang naglakad at hindi na ulit lumingon pa.

He promised himself that this will be the last time that he'll be having a connection with Lim family.

Papunta na siya sa kotse niya nang natulala siya sa nakita sa harapan niya. After quite some time, he met her again. He couldn't believe that this moment could still happen. Pakiramdam ni Brent ay nanuyo ang lalamunan niya nang makita si Lily just a few metres away from him.

Gusto niyang tumakbo papunta rito at sugurin ng yakap pero para yatang nakapako ang paa niya sa lupa. He can't contain the feels inside of him. He thought he's going to explode.

"Anneliese," Brent finally called her.

"Pupuntahan ko sana ang puntod ni Jamie pero mukhang hindi pa yata pwede." ngumiti ng matipid si Lily.

It took a long time before one of them could speak again. They are looking at each other's eyes intently. Mabigat ang mga titig nila sa isa't isa.

"Uh, yeah. Jamie's family's still there. It's not advisable for you to visit her yet." paliwanag ni Brent.