See You at Midnight

EPILOGUE

*phone rings*

Huminga ako ng malalim bago sagutin yung phone call.

"Hello, Dad?"

"'Nak.. Nasaan ka na ba? Ililibing na si Gab.. Ayaw mo ba syang makita for the last time?"

May humaplos na hangin sa buhok ko. Nakaramdam ako ng lamig.

Sandali akong natahimik.

Kung iisipin mo nga naman.. Nakaupo ako ngayon sa lugar kung saan nagsimula ang lahat.

Kung saan una kong narinig ang boses nya..

***

"Wait! Calm down, okay? Umalis ka na dyan, pag-usapan natin yung problema mo. Filipino din ako, maiintindihan kita. Alright? Halika na," He took a step closer.

"WAG KANG LALAPIT TATALON AKO!!!" I shouted in panic.

"Okay okay okay, don't! I'll-- I'll stop here. Okay? Just.. listen to me. Umalis ka na dyan dahil delikado sa kinatatayuan mo. Hindi mo ba alam kung nasaan ka ngayon?" Sabi nya habang sinusubukan pa rin abutin ang kamay ko.

***

Kung saan ko sya unang nakilala..

***

"Gosh, I'm-- I'm sorry.." Nahihiya ko pa ring sabi.

He just shook his head and afterwards he offer his hand to me.

"Gab," then he smiled at me.

***

Kung saan una kong nakita ang matamis na ngiti nya..

***

"Syne!" He smiled widely. "Akala ko hindi ka darating eh.."

***

Kung saan nagkwentuhan lang kami buong magdamag.

Puno ng asaran, tawanan, minsan meron ding seryosong usapan.

Kung saan.. hinarap ko ang takot ko na magmahal ulit.

***

"Hindi mo na kailangang maghintay," I said bravely.

Tumayo na din ako para humarap sa kanya.

"Because I love you too, Gabrielino Celeste.."

***

Kung saan ako nakaramdam ng takot na baka iwan nya ako..

***

"G@GO KA PALA EH," my voice broke. "KUNG HINDI MO PALA AKO MAHAL, SANA SINABI MO NA LANG SAKIN!" Pinunasan ko yung pisngi ko. "HINDI YUNG SA GANITONG PARAAN MO SASABIHIN! KUNG KAILAN NA SOBRANG MAHAL NA KITA?! KUNG KAILAN SAYO NA UMIIKOT ANG MUNDO KO?! ALAM MO SANA PINATAY MO NA LANG AKO EH, KASI WALANG KASING-SAKIT TONG NARARAMDAMAN KO NGAYON!"

***

Kung saan.. magkasama kami sa mga oras na kailangan namin ang isa't isa.

Kung saan hiniling ko na.. bigyan pa ako ng madaming araw na kasama sya..

***

"Love, shooting star oh! Wish tayo dali!" Sabi ko at dali-daling ipinikit ang mga mata ko, tapos ay pinagdikit ang mga palad sa harapan.

Sana, madami pang umaga at gabi na makakasama ko si Gab.. Sana.. wag niyo pa syang kukunin sakin...

***

Napayuko ako, hindi ko namamalayan na umiiyak na pala ako.

Nandito na naman yung sakit na unti-unting pumapatay sakin.

Without him in my life, I feel hopeless.

The thought alone that there will be no Gab beside me is giving me unending pain.

He, who thought me to live my life again.

I closed my eyes in hoping that I could feel him again.

"You can open your eyes now.."

I remembered his words when when he covered my eyes with his hands.

I remembered his arms that embracing me all over again.

I remembered his face that's leaning on my shoulder.

How would I open my eyes if you were with me everytime I'm closing it?

How.. how can I live without you, Gab?

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

And yes, I am in the place where we've started.

He saved my life..

Now, it's my turn to save him.

"Syne, anak? Nandyan ka pa ba?"

If closing my eyes is the only way I could see you again, I rather closed my eyes forever.

I want to keep you alive.

I want.. to keep our love alive.

I held my lower stomach, feeling the fruit of our love inside.

I smiled and looked up in the sky.

Wait for us, Gab. We will not let you live alone there. Our baby and I will save you.

We will be together again.

And when that happens, nothing can keep us apart anymore.

I closed my eyes and lost my grip on the bridge.

I'll see you at midnight..