MY ONE SHOTS

Memories

𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
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"Congratulations, Samuelle anak." ani Mama at niyakap ako.

"I'm so proud of you, my son." nakangiting sambit ni Papa habang pinagmamasdan kaming dalawa ni Mama.

Ngumiti ako sakanilang dalawa at, "Maraming salamat po, Mama at Papa."

"Muelle!" sigaw ng pamilyar na boses.

Abot tenga ang aking ngiti at humarap sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Kathleen, my girlfriend, who's smiling widely as she ran to my direction.

"Kathleen, congrats!" bati ko sakanya at hinalikan ang kaliwang pisngi.

After what I did, she giggled and hugged me tight.

"Silly. Congrats din sayo! Wait lang, I'll just greet Tito and Tita." nakangiti nitong saad at nag-punta kila Mama at Papa.

We've been dating for almost five years now. From senior high school up to this day, it's been a blessing. She was the greatest thing that's ever happened and I love her so much.

Ngayon ay graduation day namin and it's a dream come true. She's here with me as we both celebrated our graduation day. She was my happiness, comfort and everything. I couldn't ask for more and I was so sure that I'll be spending this whole lifetime with her.

"Muelle, saan mo nanaman ako balak dalhin?" natatawang sambit ni Kath.

She's blindfolded while I'm holding her hand, guiding her.

"Malapit na tayo, Kath. Just wait." nakangiti kong sabi.

I heard her giggle which made me smile even wider.

"Okay, alisin mo na." saad ko.

She took the blindfold off and looked around. She had a huge smile on her face and her eyes were sparkling, mesmerized by her surroundings.

Rose petals were scattered on the floor, candles lighting up the room, a dinner for two and a beautiful scenery.

"Ehem..." tumikhim ako kaya't napatingin siya saakin.

Ngumiti ako sakanya kahit na nanginginig ang aking kamay at paa sa kaba. Lumuhod ako sa harap niya na ikinalaki ng mga mata niya. Ang mga kamay niya ay napatakip sa bibig nang ilabas ko ang isang maliit na kahon.

"Kath, I just wanna say that you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. We both dreamt of graduating and finding a job before anything else but I couldn't wait anymore. I don't think I'll be able to live my life without you. You are ny inspiration — the reason why I want to become a better man. You make me happy in a way no one else can. Kathleen Nikolai, are you willing to spend your lifetime with me by marrying me?" nakangiti kong sambit.

Pinunasan niya ang mga luha niya kahit na ayaw nito tumigil at tumango.

"Yes, of course I will!" aniya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

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Isang araw nalang bago kami ikasal ni Kath. I'm so excited!

Hindi kami naniniwala sa mga kasabihan na malas raw ang magkita bago ikasal kaya't patuloy lang kami sa pagda-date namin. This is our last day as boyfriend and girlfriend because tommorow, she'll be my wife.

"I'm so excited!" masayang usad ni Kath habang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana.

Nag-mamaneho ako ngayon papunta sa bahay ng mga magulang ni Kath. Her parents weren't answering their phone kaya't hindi nila alam na ikakasal na kami ni Keira bukas.

*RING RING*

"Muelle, I can hear your phone ringing." saad ni Keira habang nagma-make up.I smiled at her, "Can you get it for me, please?" I pleaded.

"Sure, nasaan ba?" tanong nito at tumingin sa likod, kinakapa ang mga upuan don.

Napatingin ako sakanya at tinuro ang cellphone. When she looked back, her eyes widened at shouted,

"Watch out!" sigaw nito pero bago pa ako maka-react ay huli na ang lahat.

My vision were blurry when I opened my eyes. Nakahiga ako sa sahig at hindi magalaw ang katawan. Iginala ko ang mga paningin at nakita si Kath na walang malay, dugo ay tumutulo sa kanyang ulo.

That's when I noticed our car was beside us, glass shards were on the ground. Cuts and bruises were seen from her body.

"K-kath..." nanghihina kong sambit at sinubukan abutin ang kamay niya ngunit bago iyon mangyari ay nawalan ako ng malay.

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"M-muelle, anak!" gulat na sambit ng babaeng nasa tabi ko.

Dahan dahan kong binuksan ang aking mata at tinignan ang pinanggalingan ng boses."M-mama?" nanghihina kong tawag sakanya.

I tried to move but I can't. Nakita kong humagulhol si Mama habang hinihimas ni Papa ang kanyang likod.

Kinakabahan kong inangat ang aking kumot at nakitang mayroong bakal na nakakabit sa aking mga paa.

"N-no way..." ani ko at kinakabahang tumingin sakanila nang may maalala.

"W-where's Kath?! Is she o-okay? I wanna see her now!" sunod sunod kong sabi.

"Anak, mas mabuting mag-pahinga ka muna.." ani Mama at malungkot na ngumiti.

"May nangyari ba sakanya? Mom, tell me!" kinakabahan kong saad.

"She's fine, Samuelle. Nasa kabilang kwarto siya." nag-aalangan nitong sinabi, ang mga nag-aalala niyang mata ay nakatingin saakin.

"Take me to her." ani ko.

"Samuelle, mag-pahinga ka muna—"

"Dad, I want to see my fiancée!"

Napabuntong hininga ito nang mapagtanto na hindi ako titigil. Inalalayan nila akong umupo sa wheel chair at tinulak papunta sa kabilang kwarto. I looked at my legs and still, I couldn't believe what happened.

Kath is okay. I smiled at the thought. Alam kong mamahalin niya parin ako kahit na ganto ako. As long as she's okay, I'm fine with this.

Nang makapasok kami sa kwarto ay nakita ko siyang nakaupo, ang mga magulang niya'y nasa tabi niya.

"Kath!" masayang kong sambit at binilisan ang pag-tulak sa gulong wheel chair.

Nanlaki ang mata niya at napatingin saakin.
"Do I know you?" anito na ikinatigil ko.
Tinignan ko ang ina niya na nakakunot ang noo samantalang ang ama niya'y malamig ang tingin saakin.

"Kath, stop joking. It's me, Muelle." kinakabahan akong tumawa.

"Muelle? Are you my friend?" pumikit ito tila mayroong iniisip.

"Friend? What, no! I'm your fiancée!"

"I'm sorry, what? Did you just say fiancée?" hindi makapaniwalang saad ng Ina ni Kath.

"Yes, po. We're getting married tommorow actually." sabi ko sakanya.

Nag-taas ito ng kilay at galit ang tingin saakin as if she wasn't pleased with my answer.

"Fiancée? Bakit hindi namin 'to alam? How dare you say that after what you did to Kathleen!" galit nitong sambit.

Hinawakan ng Ama ni Kath ang kamay ng Ina niya at pinakalma siya nito.

"W-we were on our way to your house when we got into an accident. B-bakit, ano pong nangyari sakanya?" kinakabahan kong sabi.

"Ugh. My head hurts, Ma." daing nito at mariing na napapikit habang hawak ang kanyang ulo.

A few minutes later, a doctor rushed in to check on her. I was nervous as I watched them. My hands was sweating, not knowing what to do.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto ni Kath kasama ang doctor nito.

"Doc, ano po nangyari sa fiancée ko?" kinakabahan kong tanong.

"She's been diagnosed with selective amnesia. The accident must've hit her head too hard kaya ito nangyari." umiiling nitong saad.

"M-mababalik po ba ang mga alaala niya?" I asked him, umaasang may paraan pa para mabalik ito.

"Yes—pero kailangang kusa itong bumalik. Kapag sapilitan mo itong ibinalik ay baka hindi kayanin ng utak niya. It may take years or so. Excuse me, I have other patients to attend to." anito at umalis.

Y-years? But, tommorow's our wedding day... Fuck.

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Four years have passed and she's now standing there, wearing her white dress. A big smile was formed in her lips as she said her vows.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride!" masiglang saad ng pari.

Nakangiti ako habang ang aking mga luha ay walang tigil sa pagtulo. Ang mga labi niya'y lumapat sa lalaking ngayo'y asawa niya na.

Yes, we didn't get married. Ang mga kaunting memorya niya'y nabalik ngunit nakilala niya si Cloud — ang asawa niya.

My legs can never be recovered so the metals were still there. I stood and slowly clapped my hands while they all cheered for the both of them.

"Kathleen, I love you so much and I'm happy for you. You'll forever be my first love and remain as the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Sadly, we couldn't do the dreams and promises we made but — I will forever treasure happiness and laughs we had, here, in my memory." I said underneath my breath.

Kathleen who was my first love, girlfriend and fiancée — is now just a part of my memories.