I Love You, Prof.

Epilogue : I Love You, Prof.

Sheiia

It's been a year but everything feels like yesterday. Lahat kasi parang sariwa pa sa alaala ko. Ang sakit at ang pait.

"Sheiia, you've been standing in front of that tomb for an hour. Do you have any plan of going home?"

That was Max. Nagpasama ako sa kanya dito sa sementeryo para dalawin ang isang taong naging malaking bahagi ng buhay ko.

Nakakalungkot isipin na dito lang magtatapos ang lahat sa pagitan naming dalawa. We've shared many memories together and she was once an important part of my life.

"It's so sad that things between us will end this way. She was once so important to me. I loved her."

I can see the concern on my friend's eyes. It hurts to be here but I need to do this for me to move on.

I can still remember that tragedy. That one night that changed my whole life. I will never ever forget that I lost an important person with that one swift moment.

"C'mon. Don't blame yourself. Kahit wala kang sinasabi, alam kong sinisisi mo ang sarili mo. It's not your fault. And please, stop hurting yourself."

Pinahid ko ang luhang umalpas mula sa mga mata ko. I need to forgive myself. For me to move forward. Because I know that I can't continue living like this.

"Thank you, Max. For always being there."

She smirked at me and nodded.

"You'll never find a friend as handsome as me."

Para tuloy gusto kong bawiin ang sinabi ko.

"Oh yeah. Wala na akong sinabi pa. Uwi na tayo.

"Yeah right."

I glanced at the tomb for the last time.

"Goodbye."

Nagpahatid ako kay Max sa university na pinasukan ko dati. Alam naman niya kung sinong pupuntahan ko dito.

"Are you ready?"

She asked me. I nodded in response.

"Okay. I'm just a call and text away."

Niyakap ko muna si Max bago bumaba ng kotse. I felt nervous as I took steps towards my destination. But I know that I shouldn't be. Wala nang atrasan pa ito.

Kumatok muna ako sa pinto ng Faculty Office bago pumasok. Of course, nagulat ang tatlong teachers na nabungaran ko sa loob, lalo na ang isa.

"Sheiia Ricafort, hija. Mabuti naman at napadalaw ka."

Si Prof. Ramirez yun, ang medyo may pagka-strict na professor namin sa Business Planning. Yung isang teacher ay hindi ko kilala, mukhang bago lang ata.

"Hello po, Prof. Ramirez. Kumusta po kayo?"

"Eto, tatanda na dito sa university na ito."

Tumawa pa ito sa sinabi.

"Why are you here, anyway? May kailangan ka ba sa amin?"

Napatingin ako sa dalawang professor na matiim ang titig sa akin, lalo na sa isa.

"Gusto ko lang po sana sabihin sa isa dito na ready na po ako."

Confusion was written all over the professors' faces. Ngumiti muna ako bago lumapit sa isang professor na naroon. I held her hand and looked at her straight to her eyes.