The Resistance

Chapter 5

Thomas' POV
To: Ara
It's almost Christmas and it's not the same because you're not here. I know you're watching over us. I love you

Everyone's starting to take it in, that she's gone. I guess I'm doing better. Pero andun pa rin yung sakit, na hindi na siya babalik, na pinatay siya, wala man lang siyang kalaban laban. Nag start na volleyball season. It was supposed to be her season, siya dapat captain, siya ang bida, ibabalik pa niya ang korona sa Taft pero hindi, wala na siya. I decided to watch today's game, ADMU-DLSU. Ate Cyd is now the captain, I know they'll still do great, sabi nila ipapanalo nila ang championship para kay Ara. Nakakatuwa kasi before mag start yung game, nagkaroon ng prayer for her, then they flashed her best plays, her pictures and it moved me how both the ateneo and la salle crowed cheered her on. Ara, you're now the star of the night, like you always wanted. They applauded loudly for her and I couldn't help but shed a tear, nakita ko sila Mika umiiyak na. I know how much they love her and I can see their determination to win, for Ara. Nag huddle yung team and narinig ko sinigaw nila "FOR ARA!" I needed to step out of the Arena, I was about to burst in tears. Pero pag labas ko may nakasalubong ako, it looked like Ara

"Thomas!"

I heard the girl scream my name. Is this real? Is this actually Ara? No, Thomas, you're going crazy Ara's gone. I decided to go to the men's room. Pag tingin ko sa salamin, I saw her, I saw Ara. "Thomas" I heard her say my name. Is this real? I looked behind me, she was no longer there. Is this just my imagination playing with me? Pag labas ko, kaharap ko siya, kaharap ko si Ara. I closed my eyes, pag dilat ko wala na ulit siya. Should I have kept my eyes open? Just to feel her near me just for a few more seconds? I finally went back to the Arena. I am going crazy, I saw Ara, in her uniform, serving for DLSU. And the whole duration of the game, I saw her play. Hindi ko napansin, lumuluha na pala ako. "Bro, are you okay?" I heard Jeron ask me, I just told him I'm okay. But the truth? I'm not, I haven't been okay, and I'm not sure I'll ever be. I am hallucinating, believing that the girl I lost is still alive. My brain wants me to think she's still here. I'm not thinking clearly. Kahit anong gawin ko, kahit saan ako magpunta, siya pa rin naaalala ko, how do I move on Ara? Please help me get over you. I need you more than ever.

Thomas: Congrats on the win ate
Cyd: Uy Thomas, thank you, alam mo naman para kay Ara to eh
Mika: Uy hi Thom

Napansin ko si Mika, konti na lang iiyak na siya kaya nilapitan ko siya. Pero hindi ko inakala na yayakapin niya ako at patuloy na umiiyak

Mika: Thomas dapat andito siya. Dapat kasama ko siya maglaro, dapat kasama namin siya manalo. Pero hindi wala siya! Thomas ang daya! Ano ginawa ni daks para mangyari to sakanya?! Kahit anong panalo namin wala akong maramdaman na saya kasi yung isang taong iniwan tayo, naglagay ng hole sa puso natin na hindi na kahit kelan mabubuo ulit! Thomas bakit!

Yung iyak ni Mika, halos hindi ko na maintindihan sinabi niya. Humahagulgol na siya. Hindi ko na mapigilan sarili ko, naiyak na rin ako. Nung bumitaw na kami ni Mika sa pagkayakap. Nakita ko, buong team, umiiyak na rin. Sila Kianna, Cienne, lahat, umiiyak, pag tingin ko kay Coach Ramil, umiiyak rin. Ara, do you feel how much we love you? Do you feel how much we long for you?