Me & You: Between Life And Death (COMPLETE)

Chapter 41

"I'll stay here," Vlod stated when we reached the British Cemetery.

Adriel got out from the car and opened the door for me. I went off gently as he handed me his hand. I smiled at him and clutched my hand to his.

Nagsimula na kaming lumakad, sumusunod lang ako kay Adriel. Nang marating namin ang isang lapida na may nakaukit na pangalan...

'Shacklu Santle'

Hinawakan niya iyon ng ilang sandali bago umaatras at tinignan ako.

"Santle? Kapatid mo siya?" Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa lapida at bumuntong-hininga.

"Yes. Nang magising ako, I asked Dad to adopt him para maalagaan ko siya. Hindi pa kasi ako pwedeng mag-adopt noon dahil sa edad ko at wala pa rin akong kakayahang buhayin siya..."

Lumapit ako sa lapida para hawakan iyon. Ramdam ko na malapit sa puso ko at ni Adriel si Shacklu. Hindi pa man siya magsalita, ramdam ko na mahal na mahal niya ang batang ito. Bahagya akong ngumiti nang maisip na maaaring paborito rin si Shacklu ng marami dahil sa ganda ng kaniyang ngiti...

"I did everything I could to help him fight his sickness... but he only has two months," he said with a shaky breath habang tuon pa rin ang kanyang mata sa lapida.

Lumapit ako sa tabi niya, nilagay ang ko kamay sa kaniyang likuran as I gently caressed it to comfort him.

"I met Shacklu when I was on my El Tan Internship at Dad's former company. It was Vlod's birthday, he was nine years old. Since that day I always loved to sing him a song, play with him and make him laugh..." I could feel his happiness despite of everything that happened. Masiyadong mahirap rin pala ang mga pinagdaanan ni Adriel. Sakit na mula sa pamilya niya, sa akin at kay Shacklu...

"Then, a few weeks before the earthquake, I got myself lots of works to do. I wanted so bad to visit him but I couldn't find any excuse to drop my schedule..."

"Every night, he was calling, telling me... 'Brother Charles, I want you to meet my new found friend, Betryle!'" Tears started streaming in his eyes. He tilted his head to the side and wiped his tears for a moment.

"I promised him that if I also got a chance to meet you, I will also treat you as my new found friend... and I got to meet you and I treated you as my new found friend..." He held my hand gently and faced me.

I smiled at him as I rubbed my thumb at the back of his hands. "Where is Shacklus's parents?" I suddenly asked in a croaking tone.

"Patay na. One month old pa lang si Shacklu nang ma-ambushed ang mga magulang niya. He was an orphan since then, wala ring gustong umampon sa kanya dahil may sakit siya... cancer." Hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luha ko sa pagbuhos. I felt the sharp pain attacked my temples and my chest. I can't barely breath.

"H-He d-died l-looking for me..." I said while tears streming on my cheeks. He nodded as he stared at my hands, muffled it to console me.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." I cried. He took a hasty step to embrace me. I burst out crying on his chest. Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa dami ng lumalabas na imahe. I can't clearly print it out because it was just a glimpse. A tortuous glimpse kasabay ang kirot na dulot ng mga salitang narinig ko mula kay Adriel.

Shacklu, I'm sorry...

"Shush..." He consoled me as he tightened his embrace.

"I know that Shacklu doesn't want you to be sorry but instead... he wants you to be happy. Betryle, I will forever regret the days that I made you feel that it was your fault..." He held my face and gently caressed it as he wiped my tears away.