The Next Stage (COMPLETED)

FIFTY NINE: Farewell

*Note: We're down to the last two chapters after this one (Sixty & Epilouge). Itong chapter na 'to, maagang pa-farewell hehe. Enjoy! 

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Julia

"It has something to do with you...and Zach."

Nahilo ako bigla. Ano ba kasing ibig niyang sabihin?

"What? Paki-explain naman ng maayos, oh." Sabi ko. Kaunti nalang kasi, mawawalan na ako ng pasensya.

Tumawa lang siya. "Bakit kasi ako yung magsasabi nito." Sabi niya.

"Ano bang ginagawa mo? Are you crazy?" I had to ask, hindi ko na kasi maintindihan yung mga sinasabi niya.

"I am not the right person that should tell you this. Kung meron man, it's Zach." Sabi niya. I frowned. Ang labo niya talaga.

"Wow. You're such a cliffhanger. You dragged me here then you'll just waste my time? Sana hindi nalang ako nakinig sa'yo." Sabi ko. He was taken aback. Bigla siyang napatigil.

Paalis na sana ako nung bigla niya akong tinawag.

"What? Ayusin mo na sana yung sasabihin mo, please."

"Julia. I think this is the last time na makikita kita." He lowered his head. Biglang nag-iba yung atmosphere.

He's right. No one knows kung kailan kami ulit magkikita. Akala ko nga, last na yung sa hospital eh.

"I just want you to know that, I'm sorry. Seriously, I really am sorry. Kapag nalaman mo yung totoo, baka magalit ka ulit sakin. I will not ask you to forgive me but at least, I asked for forgiveness. Aalis na 'ko, for good. I still have to be healed, totally." Hinawakan niya ulit yung kamay ko.

"Sorry for dragging you here, knowing na clueless ka. I was impulsive and I realized na wala talaga ako sa posisyon na sabihin 'yun. Tsaka baka kapag sinabi ko, wala na akong chance na makausap ka ng ganito."

I am curious. But like what he said, if it has something to do with me and Zach, dapat kaming dalawa yung mag-usap and mag-settle ng matter na 'yun.

"Pero siguro, ginawa ko rin to para formally, makapag-paalam ako sa'yo. Hindi ko alam kung gugustuhin mo parin akong makita after this but, I'll really understand if you will be mad." Tinitigan ko siya. Halatang pinipigilan niya yung luha niya. His situation's hard, too. He had to overcome his sickness na hindi ganoon kadali.

"Julia, for the last time, I want to say that I love you. And, thank you for everything. Simula sa memories natin dati, up until now, I will never forget everything." And then there, he started to cry now.

"Thank you rin, sa lahat lahat. Hindi man maganda yung pakikitungo ko sa'yo for the past years and months, but you really mean so much to me. I'll never forget you, Azreel." Sabi ko.

So...is this the final closure?

Nakakalungkot na isipin na may mga taong aalis at aalis sa buhay mo. Pero, it can be for the best outcome of your journey in life.

"Goodbye, Azreel." I said then he enveloped me inside his arms.

I never had the chance to ask him kung aalis na ba siya o hindi. That's it. At tsaka, mukhang mawawalan na kami ng communication sa isa't isa, like we used to.

In the past, his absence was too sudden. But now, his absence was not too sudden but the emotions are mixed. But I believe that it's for the best.

Nobody knows, baka magkasalubong ulit kami someday. Pero kung hindi man mangyari 'yun, okay lang din saakin.

Sobrang thankful ko sa kaniya kasi kahit hindi ko hiningi, nakuha ko yung suporta niya simula nung nag-break kami ni Zach.