Like You Used To

Your Last Goodbye

I sent the album to her parents and hoped they understood.

A few weeks after that, everyone found out the many truths she has revealed in there. Many were remorseful and regretted how things turned out. But it was too late to even think about apologizing. Her parents were horrified that she kept them a secret, and was ashamed that they ever took her for granted.

I just felt sorry for them, because they will never get back the time they had with their daughter, but there's a little part of me that hopes for their better tomorrow.

I was alone in the classroom, the day of my graduation, with a camera clutched in my hands. I took the picture of the gardens, the river, the rooms, even the people she knew. Like she used to do. She'd carry a camera with her hands while randomly pictured everybody, a smile on her pretty face.

But as I sat there for a while I took out an album, one that I bought, and started writing.

Camille,

Wherever you are, I wanted to say thank you. Because you made me appreciate my life. Because I learnt to cherish what I already have. And especially my dream. You made me realize how valuable it is to pursue it. You never gave up hope on what you want, and so I wish that you are well there. You also made me realise to do things before I regret not doing them. Not getting to know you more was my biggest regret and my biggest mistake. But today I want to live, and for that you're also my biggest inspiration.

We may not be close, but I understood you when I looked at your album. I want you to know I care, and I will continue on my journey.

Thank you.

This was my last goodbye to her. I knew she won't be able to read it. But I wanted some reassurance everything for her was fine now. I pasted the photos I took and got out of the room.

I took it to the place where everything for her started. The church. I left it in the garden, buried it so that no one will see. 

I will go to college in a few months, intending to follow my dreams and keep on my path.

The girl I barely knew, the girl I used to have a crush on, the one who inspired me to believed that the future is promising. That I should never give up.

Life goes on, and it doesn't mean stopping when someone did. You have to keep moving forward.

Because fate is in our hands.

Every Saturday I would take a photo of a scenery that means something to me.

I would paste it in my wall and write a caption.

My friends would ask why, but I would only say, "a girl taught me."

I would always write something about my dream.

Just like she used to.

=Fin=