One Promise (Celestial Series #1)

Epilogue

#OnePromiseWp

To all dads out there,

"One day is not enough to honor how special of a father you truly are because you're amazing every day of the year. Thank you for all that you do."

Everything happened so fast. Bumalik ako ng school right after mourning for days. Emotionally, I was still not okay, but I was trying to make it okay.

That's the thing about life. Moving on doesn't mean we forget about things. It just mean you have to accept what had happened and continue living. Because we never truly get over a loss, but we can move forward and evolve from it.

Because of the promise I made with my dad, bumalik na rin ang loob ko sa pagsusulat. Little by little, I went back to finishing a story.

Although my mind was back into writing, I still didn't pursue passing my manuscript to traditional publications. I know I was mentally not ready to receive rejections.

"You've been good, Naomi. No regrets," ani Shaien sa akin nang dumalaw ako sa puntod ni Daddy makalipas ang isang taon.

Sinamahan ako ni Shaien nang dumalaw ako dahil nag-aalala siyang baka raw hindi pa ako okay, at least, nandoon siya para suportahan ako.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. Ipinatong ko ang aking kamay sa kanyang kamay.

"Yeah, but I still haven't accomplished the promise I made from my dad."

She shrugged. "It takes time. Besides, surely he's already on the move."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Shaien. "What do you mean?"

Pandaliang nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Pati rin siya ay nagulat. Nang makabawi, she shrugged again. Tinapik niya ang balikat ko. "You'll see," she said bago ako iniwan doon.

Umupo ako sa may puntod nina Daddy and Mommy. Hinawi ko ang mga kalat na tuyong dahon roon.

"It's been a year since you left, Dad. I still miss you and Mommy. I've been excelling in my academic achievement, Dad. As you've said, I've kept every cheque I've received. I've been using it well. I've applied to workshops to enhance more of my literary skills," I proudly told him. "So I can bring out the best of myself."

I was hoping they would hear me.

I told them everything that had happened to my year. How I managed to survive. Thanks to Shaien, Ally, Auntie, and Uncle. They helped me adjust to my new life without you guys.

Then, I also told them how much I've accomplished in my writing career.

Nagtagal ako roon nang kaunti, since umalis saglit si Shaien. Nang makabalik na siya, tumayo na rin ako para makaalis na kami. Pinagpagan ko ang likuran ko.

"Bye, Daddy and Mommy! I'll visit again someday. I love you both."

I closed my eyes as I felt the wind embraced me like how my parents usually does.

Years have passed and it had been doing good for me. Paunti-unti, nakaka-move on na rin ako. I still grief for my dad, but unlike before, I felt a lot better. About my writing career, it was improving.

I've been really happy reading so many stories shared by people who can relate to my stories. It was so heartwarming and overwhelming! Para ko na rin silang nakikilala nang paunti-unti dahil doon. But it was also heartbreaking to read some, especially those whose heart were still closed and filled with anger. There were also some when you can feel their regrets, their grief, and you can't do anything to help ease their pain.

They made me appreciate writing even more. It was inspiring to write stories knowing readers appreciate it. I wanted to write more to comfort them, to make them realize that they are not suffering alone and that there were others as well who are suffering just like them or worse. I wanted them to realize that they should be brave to face the trials and tribulations the upcoming years had in store for them.