Kabanata 15
"W-WHERE is it, Dad?" I demanded, my voice strained.
"L-Lars, hija, you can't go there in that state. I want you to calm down, okay?"
"Calm down?!" 'Di ko na napigilan ang galit. "You lied to me, Dad! Ikaw lang ang pinagkatiwalaan ko pero nagsinungaling ka! Itinago mo sa 'kin ang anak ko!"
"P-Polaris, I did that to keep you safe–"
"It was my son, Dad! Hindi 'yon ibang tao! Anak ko 'yon! Wala ba 'kong karapatang malaman man lang ang tungkol sa kanya? Wala ako no'ng kailangan niya 'ko tapos no'ng nawala siya... wala rin ako?"
"A-anak..."
"Tell me where you buried my son! Tell me!" I exclaimed. "Kahit awa na lang, Dad! Para sa apo mo!"
"Polaris..."
"D-Dad, please... I'm begging you. Please," I pleaded. "I want to see my child, Dad. 'Y-yong anak ko..."
"I'm really sorry, Lars." Nabakas ko ang lungkot sa boses ni Daddy. "I'm sorry for what happened to my grandson, g-ginawa namin ang lahat."
"J-just tell me where..." I gasped. "Tell me."
"I will send you the location," he promised. "I'm sorry again, anak."
Wala ako sa sarili habang nasa biyahe. I was devastated but a part of me is looking forward I would finally see my soon. Wala 'kong ibang maisip kung hindi ang anghel ko.
I couldn't believe my son was here all along. In the family mausoleum where my mom and grandparents are resting. Hindi ko pa nabisita sila simula nang makabaling ako't nandito pala sila kasama ang bituin ko.
At least, he's not alone, Lars. He's with Lola.
When I saw Mom's tomb, my tears escaped. Nanginginig pa ang tuhod nang lumapit ako at napansin ang mga bulaklak at kandilang mukhang bago lang o kanina inilagay.
"Hi, Mom," I whispered as I caressed her tomb, my gaze shifting to the tomb beside hers.
You're the brightest star.
In loving memory of
Aries Castor Reyes
Tuluyan na akong napasalampak sa sahig at inabot iyon.
"A-anak..." I whispered.
There are three white roses and candles just beside his tomb. I paused when I realized there were familiar toy cars beside it, identical to Riu's.
Binalewa ko 'yon. Maybe it was dad.
Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa anak.
"H-hey there, little star," I breathed. "M-Mommy's here. Sorry it took me a w-while but mommy's here."
I carefully took out my handkerchief and wiped the clean tomb again.
"I'm s-sorry, Castor. Malamig ba rito, 'nak? S-sorry, sorry... wala si Mommy. Sorry, late ako, anak. S-sorry, 'di kita nayakap, 'di kita nahawakan ng mahigpit. Sorry..."
I wailed. I had never cried this intensely that my head felt like it was splitting. I let it all out, apologizing nonstop to my son, for being an absent mother. For not being strong to hold unto him. For losing him.
Nang kumalma'y do'n ko lang napansin ang asul na envelope na nakaipit sa ilalim ng mga laruan. I reached for it and found a handwritten letter.
Castor,
BINABASA MO ANG
Promise To A Stardust
Ficção Geral[REVISED EDITION, 2024] Lost Island Series #2: Promise To A Stardust "The lights dimmed as the shine faded. The once bright star turned to nothing but dust-a stardust." Miscommunication and one mistake turned all promises to stars into nothing but m...
