I maneuvered myself inside and the light ambiance welcomed me. I immediately went to the counter with a smile on my face. “Good morning, Margaret!” I greeted her with full of enthusiasm. “Hi, Carmen! Long time, no see!” she greeted back.
I smiled at her. God, I missed this woman. “What brought you here?” she asked me.
“Parang hindi ka naman sanay sa ‘kin, Agot.” I said. She just weakly smiled at me. “I thought, naka-move on ka na sa nangyari.”I smiled then shook my head.
It’s been six years. Six long years but the pain is still haunting me. “I never move on. Guess, I’ll take this until my last breath.”
“I know it’s hard, Lea pero hindi magiging masaya ang kambal ‘pag nalaman nilang kinukulong mo pa rin ang sarili mo sa nakaraan.”
“That’s the problem, Margaret. They’ll never know because they weren’t here. Mas masaya sana kapag nalaman nilang nangungulila ako sa kanila, uuwi sila kaagad pero anim na taon na….”
Anim na taon ko na silang hinahanap at hinihintay ang pagbabalik nila. “Don’t lose hope, Lei…” she said then tapped my right shoulder. “And I’m sorry, nalungkot ka tuloy.” She added.
I sighed and flashed a fake simile, “Well, I’m not losing hope. Siguro, natatanggap ko na ang lahat at sana, sana dumating ang panahon na tuluyan nang humilom ang sugat sa puso ko.”
“Enough with this talk.” I said and I heard that she heaved a sigh. “So, what’s your order?” she asked.
“As usual.” I said while looking at the flower arrangements in front of me. “Pero, lagyan mo ng peonies…” dagdag ko.
“Umaasenso na ang shop mo, ah.” She then flashed a brilliant smile. “Lucky charm kasi kita kaya ganun.” Sabi niya at pinagpatuloy ang paggupit ng kung ano-anong palamuti para sa Bouquet na pinagawa ko.
“I’m sure Hades would love this place. She loves flowers and light ambiance.”
“But, Heaven would surely cursed this.” She said then laugh a bit. “She’s allergic of flowers.” I second the motion.
“Yeah, here we go, tada!” she handed me the flowers. “Aalis ka na ba kaagad? Dadating ngayon sila Rachel…”
“What?! Bakit hindi ko alam?” I asked her. “You guys are unfair!” I blurted out.
“Huwag kang OA, Carmen. Siguro hindi ka na naman nagbasa sa group chat natin.”
I puckered my lips. Okay, I’m guilty! “That’s ridiculous. Alam niyo namang wala na akong masyadong oras para mag-facebook.”
“Kasalanan pa namin ngayon? You’re ridiculous, kamo.” I rolled my eyeballs.
“My sched for today is fully loaded! Gosh, I missed Dawn.”
“Masyado mo kasing kinakarer ang pagiging artista, Miss Broadway Diva!” she said now cleaning her mess. “Well, it’s my passion kasi. But there’s always next time naman! I’ll go ahead na Margaret!”
---
The cold breeze welcomed me when I finally reached my destination. This place is just like a paradise, full of ravishing flowers and trees. “Hi, Heaven. Hi, Hades.” I greeted them. “I’m sorry ngayon lang nakadalaw si Mommy sa inyo.” I then wiped the tears that’s rolling down on my cheeks. “H-how are you there? Mommy misses you a lot.”
“Babalik pa ba kayo? Sana bumalik na kayo. M-mommy’s hurting mga anak.” I said while sobbing out loud. I can’t take it anymore. “Y-you know what, kakatapos lang ng concert tour ko sa ibang bansa. Pero magiging busy din ulit si Mommy kasi magsisimula na naman ang bagong edition ng The Voice Kids.” Kwento ko habang pinupunasan ko na ang luhang hindi maubos-ubos. Matagal na panahon na, dumaan na ang mga tag-init pero hindi pa rin natutuyo ang luha ko para sa kanila.
