To the Moon and Back °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

Quaker 31

"Hey Kath--- Come on in."gulat na bungad ni Myles nang makita ako.

"I would just like to know if you know Yves' whereabouts. Hindi niya sinasagot ang mga tawag ko."malungot kong sagot.

"Oh dear. He left. But he uhmmm... left you something. Kukunin ko muna."

What did she mean he left? He didn't! Hindi niya ako pwedeng iwan nalang like what he did before!

"Kailan niya 'to binigay sa'yo?"

"Last two weeks. The day he left. He dropped by."

"Hindi mo man lang sinabi sakin?"

"Because he made me promised not to. Kabilin-bilinan niyang ibigay lang sa'yo 'to kapag ikaw mismo ang maghahanap sa kanya."she said while she handed the box to me.

He's a jerk! Hindi pa siya nakuntento sa unang pag-iwan niya sa'kin.

"Don't cry. Babalik naman daw siya agad eh."

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko't umupo. I slowly opened the ruffled box. In it are our pictures together since we're kids. There's a locket with my most favorite picture of us---the two of us laughing facing each other.

There's also a card.

My precious little donkey,

I have this feeling right now that you've grown up... FOR REAL. If you're reading all these now, it only means you have become more superior than your old self. I suppose you're angry at your ogre but you're controlling it, aren't you?

Napangiti ako sa linyang 'yon.

Congratulations baby. I'm the proudest! I love you so much...more at your weakest times. I love you donkey. Keepsafe!

Love and kisses,
Your One and Only Handsome Ogre, Handsome Shrek

Tsk. Kahit kailan, nakakainis talaga siya. Siya lang 'tong nag-iisang taong nakakaasar na laging nakakapagpangiti sa'kin.

PS: Here's a contact for you to reach me. Call me if you miss me.

"Thank you Myles. I'm going. May pupuntahan pa ako. Salamat dito." I kissed her to say my goodbye. "And oh my dear! I am so sorry for the last times. I love you girls. Send my regards, I really need to go."

Mamaya na kita tatawagan. Kainis ka! Manigas ka muna. Haha.

I missed him already. But I'll call him later. He can wait.

Dumaan muna ako sa flower shop. I don't want to exaggerate it, but I really feel like I'm soaring after letting go of the wrath and hatred I've been keeping within those years.

"Good mornin--- Excuse me? Nasa'n po 'yong pasyente rito?"tanong ko sa nurse na bumungad sakin ng pumasok ako sa hospital room.

Kinunotan niya ako ng noo.

"Oh? Yon bang may cancer ang tinutukoy mo? Wala na. She's umm. She's gone."

What??? No! I rushed back to the car.

"Manong Bert. Let's head to *tot* subdivision."

"Okay lang po kayo ma'am? Namumutla po kayo?"

"Yes. I'm fine. Let's hurry please."

No. She can't be gone. Right! I'll call him!

"Anong kailangan mo?"bungad niya.

"Hey DJ. I'm so sorry. Can I go there please?" Hindi siya sumagot. "I know it's hard for all of you. I'm on my way."

"Ok."

Iniwasan niya ako sa academy last week. Nag-iiba siya ng daan sa tuwing nakakasalubong niya ako.

Muntik na nga akong maiyak nong pinagpartner kami sa laboratory activity namin and he asked our instructor na palitan siya ng partner.
Ngayon lang kami ulit nagkausap. Tapos yon lang ang sasbihin niya, ok? Akala ko na na-miss niya like what he told me before. Sabi pa nga niya di ba na mahal na niya ako? I know. It's what he's going to say.

Oh sh*t! What are these tears for? Kung kailan na nandito na kami saka ako nanghihinang harapin sila. Kanina lang ang tapang-tapang ko.

I have to be strong. I'm not my weak old self.

"Daniel!"tawag ko nang makita siyang nakatayo sa labas ng bahay nila.

Tinitigan lang niya ako. Niyakap ko siya. He looks so pained. Siyempre naman Chandria! Nawala 'yong ina niya.

"I'm so sorry. My condolences---"

"What the heck? Why didn't I see this coming!? You're here to mock our situation---"

"No! No DJ! I'm here to tell how sorry I am for everything. I'm trying to do what's right! Masama bang damayan ka---"

"Chandria! Buhay pa si mama---"

"What? Oh sh*t! Sh*t! Eh! Sabi nong nurse--- Arrggh!"

Nakakahiya. Oh! Fvck that nurse! Just swallow me now, grounds! Nilingon ko siya and he's giving me a smirk.

"I'm sorry. I thought she's what the nurse is referring. So? Ok na siya? I meant, your mom?"

"No. She's still sick. Her body's no longer responding to the medicines. And she asked us to get her home."

"I'm sorry. Can I... umm. Can I see her?"

Kumunot 'yong noo niya.

"Wait DJ."I bayed out when he leads me to the house. "Galit ka pa ba sa'kin?"

Hinarap niya ako. Lalong kumunot 'yong noo niya.

"Sinong nagsabing galit ako sa'yo?"

"You aren't?"panigurado ko. Lumakas yong tibok ng puso ko. "Thank you."Nakangiting saad ko.

Papasok na sana kami sa isang silid nang huminto siya't hinawakan ang balikat ko.

"Do you mind? Your father's here."

"I know."

Nauna na siyang pumasok.
Yes. I'm doing this. Kaya ko 'to.

"Ma. Tito, may bisita po tayo."

Tumayo si papa nang makita ako. Lumapit siya't niyakap ako ng mahigpit. Saka ko lang narealize na sobra ko pala siyang na-miss!

"I miss you so much pa. Bumalik ka na please."iyak ko habang nakayakap parin sa kanya.

Namataan kong nakangiti ang nakahigang si Karla. Putlang-putla na siya. Kumawala ako sa yakap ni papa at nagpahid ng luha.

"Kumusta na po kayo."mahinang sambit ko. "Sorry po. I'm so sorry if I've been so hard on yo---"

"I understand you dear." Tugon niya sabay pisil ng kamay ko. "Mabuti at nandito ka ngayon. We're going to have a weekend getaway. I hope you could come---"

"Ma!"tutol ni DJ.

"That would be great! Pero---"

"I also invited your mom and she just called to say she'll come. Let's start anew. Let's leave the past behind together."

Sa di ko malamang dahilan, napayakap ako sa kanya. Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam kapag nagpapatawad ka. I feel so elated!

---

"DJ. Aalis na ako. Salamat." Paalam ko sa kanya.

Gustong gusto ko siyang kausapin pero di ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko.

Life is a choice. But now, I choose not to cross the line. Pero kung hindi ko siya kakausapin, kailan pa? Kung hinhintayin ko pa ang bukas, what difference will it make from talking to him now?

I stopped walking on my way to the car.

"May nakalimutan ka ba sa loob?"nagtatakang tanong niya.

I ran to him and hugged him.

"I MISS YOU."

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