My Beautiful Stalker

The Revelation

Sophia's POV

"N-no." anas ni Ethan.

Bakas sa mukha nito ang sobrang pagkagulat at kalituhan. It breaks her heart seeing him like this pero mas mabuti nang malaman nito ng maaga. Hindi na kaya ng konsensiya niya ang paasahin ito na tatagal sila.

"Stage 2." halong pabulong niyang salita.

"You're kidding me, right? Dementia is for older people, for pete's sake! How can you possibly acquire that? That's impossible Sophia!" anito na hindi niya alam kung siya ba ang kinukumbinsi o ang sarili nito.

"I already told you, it's a post head injury. It took years before it finally consumed me." paliwanag niya.

"No! That's bullshit! That's fucking bullshit!" mura nito na ikinagulat niya.

It's her first time to see him like this. Ethan is a very gentle and caring person. Ngayon lang niya narinig itong nagmura.

"I'm sorry." tanging nasambit niya sabay yuko. Hindi niya ito kayang tingnan sa mga mata. She couldn't stand seeing him hurt.

"Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi?" he asked.

"I-I didn't expect this to happen Ethan. I just wanted a few months with you." mahina niyang tugon.

"That's selfish Sophia! That's fucking selfish!" biglang sigaw nito na ikinapiksi niya.

Her tears started to fall. Tama si Ethan. It was selfish on her part. Ngayon lang niya na realize ang lahat ng consequences ng ginawa niya.

"E-Ethan." mahina niyang tawag dito.

Tinangka niyang hawakan ang kamay nito pero mabilis itong tumayo at tumalikod. She heard him sigh like he was trying to calm himself down.

When he looked back, she saw tears in his eyes and it broke her heart into pieces.

"You should've told me. I could've lessen the pain. I could've helped you." anito sa garalgal na boses. She couldn't stand seeing him like this. Ito ang pinakahuling gusto niyang mangyari, ang masaktan niya ito.

Walang pagdadalawang isip na tumayo siya at tinawid ang maliit na distansiya sa pagitan nila. She threw herself in his arms and hugged him tight. She wanted to comfort him.

Mabilis naman itong gumanti ng mas mahigpit na yakap. Alam niya kahit hindi niya ito tingalain, umiiyak din ito tulad niya.

They both cried their hearts out. Niyakap nila ang isa't isa ng mahigpit na parang nagbibigayan ng lakas. Lakas na sobrang kailangan nilang dalawa sa mga oras na yun.

"Shhh... I'm here now. I will be with you in this battle. We will win this fight baby." marahang bulong ni Ethan pagkatapos ng ilang sandali.

"I'm scared." aniya sabay hikbi. Mas humigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya. He kissed her temple.

"Please don't. Be brave. You have to win this not only for yourself but also for those who love you especially Lolo Manuel." masuyo nitong bulong.

She smiled sadly. Kung alam lang ni Ethan. She's been fighting so hard since day one. She didn't know what's up with her lately. Hindi niya alam kung bakit bigla parang gusto na lang niyang magpadala sa agos. Siguro nga nasa point na siya ng buhay niya kung saan handa na siyang tanggapin ang lahat ng mangyayari.

Kumalas siya dito at hinawakan ito sa magkabilang pisngi. She slowly wiped the traces of tears on his face. She looked straight into his eyes bago nagsalita.

"I will. Kahit hindi mo sabihin, lalaban ako. Hindi lang para sa sarili ko at sa pamilya ko kundi para sa'yo. You're one of the reasons why ginusto ko ulit mabuhay Ethan. I promise, I will fight until my last breath." she said while her tears started to fall again.