I'm the Reincarnation of a Love Story

Another lifetime

A few days passed and my life went back to normal. I lost Grandma's ring but my cousin Roy told me that it's better that way. 

There are things that re meant to be lost. At hindi dahil nawala sa atin ang isang bagay ay hahanapin natin ito. There are just instances that we chose to be lost than to be found. 

My summer vacation continued as if nothing terrifying happened to me. I started my piano lessons and bonded with my brother, sometimes Roy would come visit and he would always check on me. Asking me things that I feel every night or kapag may napapanaginipan daw ako. He's actually weird but he's a medium so it's pretty normal for him to be weird.

The few days were peaceful. At some point, I even think that Arkin's soul was already at peace after knowing the whole truth. His justice is served and he can finally rest in peace. 

"Ano na naman iniisip mo Sam?", Kuya asked me. Nasa veranda namin kami nakatambay and I really didn't noticed na natulala na pala ako. 

"Nothing kuya.", I answered him back. I can't tell him that I'm constantly thinking about a dead guy. Knowing Kuya, he's likely to overreact.

Nag-nod na lamang siya sa akin at humalumbaba naman ako.  I can't stop thinking about him.

Nanatili ako sa veranda hanggang sa magdilim at nag-akit na si kuya na kumain. I was about to stand up noong nakaramdam ako ng malamig na simoy ng hangin na sumagi sa mukha ko. 

Everything felt cold in an instant, but what's weird is that I feel incredibly warm inside. 

Bumaba na si Kuya pero nanatili pa din ako sa pwesto ko. I looked around. Mukha akong baliw pero I did something that I'm not expecting to do. 

I whispered.

"Arkin?"

I smelled wild flowers, it was so fragrant that I unconsciously closed my eyes to inhale it even more. Pagmulat ko ng mga mata ko ay andoon siya sa harapan ko. He's face is even more radiant, he's hair moving from the wind and I can see the sparkle in his eyes.

"Samantha."

Napakurap ako, he's really here. A few days ago I was horrified at him, pero I can't understand why I feel so excited now that he'd shown himself. 

I instinctively close the space between us and hugged him. Niyakap ko siya ng sobrang higpit, hindi ko din naintindihan kung bakit ko ito ginawa pero it feels so right. 

I felt his cold hands on my back as he hugged me tighter. 

"Aren't you scared of me?", he asked. He was gently caressing my hair. Mas lalo kong isiniksik ang ulo ko sa leeg niya.

"I'm not anymore."

He pulled me closer and naramdaman ko ang buntong hininga niya. "You've gotten your memories, you've set me free as well."

I felt my heart flutter. A part of me thought that it's probably because of Grandmom's memory that's why I felt so drawn to him but it wasn't. I've been drawn to him for so many days that I almost thought that I'm in love with him.

"I'm sorry that I forgot about you."

"It's okay Samantha, the vessel that you're in is a lifetime younger than me. It was hard to create a bond."

I pulled myself away from him and looked him in the eyes. "Will you be leaving me again?"

He sadly nodded at me. I can feel his apologetic stares and it's making my heart break. 

"Why?"

"We're never meant to be together in this lifetime Samantha."

Nag-init ang sulok ng mga mata ko at agad niya itong pinahid. "Don't cry."

It's unfair. Why is it only me that was reincarnated and he was the one stuck in this wretched world?

"One day we'll meet again dear. Just not in this period.", he slowly leaned towards my face and kissed my forehead lightly. 

"I can't wait for another lifetime Arkin.", I told him. Hindi ko na napigilan pa ang luha ko.

"You have to. For now, I need to go.", mas lumayo siya sa akin. Pinigil ko siya sa pamamagitan ng paghawak sa kamay niya pero wala akong nagawa dahil parang hangin na lumampas lang ang kamay ko dito. 

"Wait-- Arkin! Stop!", I almost begged him but he was already deteriorating. 

"Samantha. I will always love you.", his fading face slowly leaned down to kiss me. I closed my eyes as my tears fell eagerly down my cheeks. 

The next I know, I was standing alone in our veranda. Wondering why I was crying, I was suddenly oblivious of what happened. 

No trace of what happened. No memories left of him.

Kinusot ko ang mga mata ko. Wala sa sarili kong sinalat ang kwintas ko like I usually do and agad na napansing nandoon pala ang singsing ni Lola. 

"Samantha? Kakain na tayo!", napalingon ako kay kuya na nasa tabi ko na pala. He was looking at me with a bewildered expression. 

"Ano 'yan?", dagdag niyang tanong sa akin.

"Look kuya! Grandmom's ring was with me all the time. Akala ko nawala ko ito, hahanapin ko na sana doon sa haunted house na pinuntahan natin last time."

He gave me a confused look. "What? But you already..."

Itinigil niya ang sasabihin niya sana. Why did he stop?

"Already what kuya?", I asked him.

"Nothing. Come let's eat."

Sumunod ako sa kaniya pababa pero bago ko sarahan ang pinto ay lumingon akong muli sa veranda. I felt someone whispering to my ear.

Till we meet again in another lifetime.