Every Game

Epilogue (1/2)

Hi guys! I cut the epilogue into two parts. Here's the first part! Thank you for reading Every Game until here. It's been a long ride, how's it? Let me know in the comment section!

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Now Playing: Lighthouse by Mike Perry, Hot Shade

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EPILOGUE (PART 1)

I put my jacket on while staring at her, sleeping peacefully. Ilang mura pa ang mahinang lumabas sa bibig ko dahil nanginginig ako. Muntik ko pang maitumba ang lamesa dahil hindi ko ito napansin. Ipinatong ko ang envelope sa tabi niya, pigil na pigil na halikan uli siya.

I stared at her again. Nanlalambot ako sa tuwing nakatingin ako sa kanya. 'Yon bang kahit na gaano ako katatag, 'pagdating sa kanya ay isang pitik lang tiklop ako. That's why whenever I see her hurting, I am dying.

But it all ends now.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago siya tinalikuran. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad sa pinto, pigil na pigil na gumawa ng ingay. Gamit ang nanginginig kong kamay ay hinawakan ko ang seradura ng pinto.

Hindi ko napigilang balingan siya ng tingin. Bahagya itong gumalaw at kinuha ang malapit na unan at niyakap 'yon. She even pouted her lips after hugging the pillow tightly.

That made me smile... and made leaving harder.

"I will miss you... really miss you a lot."

Huminga ako nang malalim bago dahan-dahang pinihit ang seradura ng pinto. Lumabas ako ng kwarto ni Mads. Kinapa ko ang susi ng sasakyan ko sa bulsa at pumunta sa kusina nila para ipatong 'yon sa lamesa.

I need to fulfill my promise to Kael, too.

"Be a good boy, Kael. Be the guy I will never be to your Ate Mads."

I will miss Kael, too. He's a clever boy and I can't wait to meet him again someday. Alam kong mas marami pang dapat abangan sa batang 'to. He has this aura that screams coldness, authority and his love for family is stronger than the anchor of a ship. I know he will protect Mads at any cost.

"Don't say that." Napalingon ako sa likod ko. Nakatayo ang Papa ni Mads, nakangiting nakatingin sa akin. "You are one of the best things happened in my daughter's life. Don't ever think you were not enough. You are more than enough, Rocky."

That melted me. Don't cry.

Tumawa ako. "She's not one of the best in my life." Pinasok ko sa bulsa ng jacket ang mga kamay kong patuloy sa panginginig. "She's the best thing happened in my entire existence. Thank you for bringing Mads into this world, Tito."

Tumawa rin si Tito bago lumapit sa akin. Inayos niya ang jacket kong gusot at pinagpagan pa 'yon. I was just staring at him while he was doing that.

"Don't worry about her," he finally said as he looked at me. "Don't ever feel bad for doing what's better for you, even if it's not for others. Don't ever feel bad for not having the courage to say it. Just... don't."

No matter how hard I try... tears started to loom around my eyes.

I nodded my head as I hugged him tight. "Protect Mads, Tito. Let her feel life. Goodbye..."

At least... I had said goodbye to her father.

"Ikaw rin, Rocky. Take care of yourself. Wherever you are, remember that this family is always open for you. Don't hesitate."

I will always be thankful I found these people

Akala ko ay napagaan na niya ang nararamdaman ko. Pero pagkalabas ko ng bahay nila ay mas dumoble ang sakit. Ang katahimikan at kadiliman ng paligid ay hindi nakatulong para mapatahan ang naninikip kong pakiramdam.