A Modern Fairytale

Epilogue

Elaine's POV

"Love, do not open the door unless they will tell their identity and you know them." Paalala ni James habang naglalakad kami paloob na sa airport dahil ngayon na ang alis niya.

Buhat buhat niya si Zai kaya naman si Zaine na ang humihila ng bag niya.

"Yes dad." Nakangiti kong sagot.

"And Zaine, always make sure that the gates and doors are locked."

"Yes sir." Agad na sagot naman ni Zaine.

"Elaine! James!"

Agad naman kaming napatingin sa direksyon ng tumawag sa 'min.

Ngumiti naman ako nang malamang si TAM pala 'yon... kasama si ZEM.

Lumapit naman silang dalawa sa 'min. Pormal na batian lang ang nangyari. Nag uusap sila TAM at James o kaya kinakausap ni TAM si Zai. And as usual, tahimik lang si ZEM na nakatingin sa akin.

"Zaine? How are you son?" Tanong ni ZEM.

Ngumiti naman si Zaine. "Fine dad. I didn't know you were here."

"Hmm. I settled some things. I just arrived yesterday and I just have to fly to France again." Sagot naman ni ZEM.

"I think pareho lang tayo ng pupuntahan." Sabi ni James.

"Yeah. And we will both ride the same plane." Malamig na sabi ni ZEM.

"You coming TAM?" Tanong ko.

"Uh no. I just drove him here." Sagot niya.

At nagsimula na ngang tawagin ang passengers sa sasakyan nila. So we have to say good bye to them.

I faced James. "Wag ka na kayang pumunta?"

He smiled. "Hindi pwede love. I'll be back very soon. I love you." And he kissed me.

Nakita ko nalang sa peripheral vision ko na nauna na si ZEM.

Hinalikan kami isa isa ni James bago siya umalis.

I smiled bitterly. God will guide him.

"Did your dad say good bye?" Tanong ko kay Zaine.

Tumango naman siya at kinuha si Zai. "We will go ahead mom. Bye uncle!"

"Bye Zaine. Bye Zai." Nakangiting sabi naman ni TAM.

"How is he TAM?" Seryoso kong tanong kay TAM.

"Sino?"

"You know whom I'm talking about."

"Ah yes. Well... he never felt better." Seryoso niyang sagot habang naglalakad na kami. "He missed you."

Ngumiti ako ng mapait. "Alam mo namang wala na 'kong nararamdaman sa kanya di ba?"

Tumango siya. "At hindi naman kita masisisi." He smiled. "I'm glad that you're happy with your family."

"So am I. Sobra akong thankful sa family na meron ako."

"Hmm, it's a good bye for now." Nakangiti niyang sabi at hinalikan ako sa noo.

"Good bye TAM." Paalam ko at sumakay na sa sasakyan.

- - - - - -

"Zaine? Anak?!" Sigaw ko mula sa kitchen.

"Why mom?"

"Baby my phone's ringing. Please hand it to me."

Nagluluto kasi ako at hindi ko maiwan 'to.

Maya maya pa ay dumating na si Zaine buhat buhat si Zai saka inabot sa 'kin ang phone ko.

It's TAM.

Dalawang oras palang mula nang huli kaming nagkita nito ah.

Sinagot ko nalang dahil baka importante.

"Hello." Bati ko.

["Elaine... what are you doing?"]

"Nagluluto. Bakit?"

["Please stop that for a while. This is very important."]

Naguguluhan man ay ginawa ko ang sinabi niya.

"Bakit?"

["Elaine... I received a call. The... the plane James and ZEM was riding... crashed. Exploded to be exact."]

Hindi ako nakapagsalita sa narinig ko at napa upo sa lababo.

"Hindi nakakatuwa Aiden."

["Elaine it's true. It's already in the news."]

Agad naman akong tumakbo sa sala at ini on ang TV.

And yes... yun ang kasalukuyang binabalita.

"Mom? Isn't that the plane daddy was riding?" Mahinang tanong ni Zaine.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at tuloy tuloy na umagos ang mga luha ko.

["Elaine... they said maybe nobody made it alive. But we will still search for them."] malungkot na sabi ni TAM at narinig ko ang garalgal niyang boses.

Binaba ko ang cellphone at umupo sa sahig habang umiiyak.

"Mom? Mom they're alive right?" Umiiyak na sabi ni Zaine at niyakap ako.

I looked at my daughter and cried my heart out.

I hugged Zaine even more and kissed him. "I don't know baby. But for now... both your daddies are gone."

I cried and cried and cried.

How can the plot of this fairytale be so cruel? It already ended but it still isn't a happy ending.

If this modern fairytale is a dream... I just wanna wake up.

- - - the end - - -
03-04-18