Almost Over You

Chapter 2: Moving Forward

(Present - Year 2014)

Napangiti lang si Cielo habang sinasariwa ang ilan sa mga alaala nila ng kanyang asawang si Carl. Hanggang ngayon, she still cant believe na her husband, katuwang sa buhay, minamahal ay wala na.

Ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagligpit ng mga naiwang gamit ng asawa. Kung alam lang niya na ito ay nasa paligid lamang. Nagmamasid, binabantayan siya bawat minuto. It's such a heartbreaking scene for Carl to watch his wife like that. He thought of not pursuing his two month deal with Sir J.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin na hindi mo na itutuloy?" Sir J is confused about Carl's sudden decision.

"I cant do it, Sir J. Nahihirapan lang kami pareho. I guess, i need to let go of her." He turned around and walks away.

At that moment, Sir J felt so touched. Naramdaman nya ang sakit na nararanasan ni Carl as he watched him walked away.

Cielo found a note in Carl's wallet.

"January 18, 2014 - Bayview Park. 7 pm."

Her 26th birthday. And it's tommorow.

Hindi namalayan ni Cielo ang pagtulo ng luha sa kanyang mga mata.

"Ikaw talaga, mahal. May surprise ka pala sa akin. Alam kong pinagplanuhan mo ito. I'll be there. Sana ikaw din."

Cielo realized that she is just talking to herself. No one is around. But he's there. Listening to every word she uttered.

"Are you ready to say goodbye?" Sir J suddenly appeared beside him.

"Almost. I guess. I dont know." Carl is confused as she watched his wife.

"Samahan mo muna siya dito. Tabihan mo siya sa pagtulog. Make her feel safe." after he said that, Sir J disappeared for awhile.

He walks slowly towards his wife. Cielo was about to sleep when she feels a cold wind blew in. The windows is closed. She knows at that moment. Kinuha nya ang isang polo ni carl. Niyakap nya ito at ipinikit ang mga mata...

"Goodnight mahal.." Then, she falls asleep.

Nagising si Cielo sa isang mabangong amoy. Looks like someone is making breakfast downstairs.

"Carl?"

Nagmadali siyang bumaba. To her surprise, it was her Mom cooking.

"Ma, i thought...." she calmly said.

"i heard you, akala mo si Carl. Hija, Carl is..."

Bago pa maipagpatuloy ng mama ni Cielo ang sasabihin nito ay pinutol na nito ang usapan.

"Sige ma, akyat muna ako. I'll take a shower first. Tapos sabay tayo kumain ha."

Nagmadali itong umakyat.

Cielo checks her phone. Almost 60 text messages are unread. They're all birthday greetings.

After magbihis, Cielo went downstairs. Joining her mom for breakfast.

"Happy birthday Anak...." niyakap siya ng mahigpit ng kanyang ina.

"Thank you ma... how did you overcomed it?"

"Overcomed what anak?"

"When we lost papa. Ano ginawa mo?"

Her mom smiled at her. She understands her pain right now. She's been there when Cielo's father died. Colon Cancer killed him. Cielo was 10 then. 16 years passed.

"Same thing that you did noon, anak."

Cielo seems confused about her mother's answer.

"Pero wala naman ako ginawa noon. i was just a 10 year old little girl then." her mom, hugs her tight.