A bouquet of flowers was placed at her tomb. It was the same bouquet of flowers she had when she was about to marry Gino.
The day was quiet so was the place.
"I saw you in my dreams last night. You were smiling happily", tumawa s'ya ng mahina samantalang unti-unting namuo ang luha sa kanyang mata. Siguradong mangingislap ito sa ilalim ng sikat ng araw. Maliwanag ang paligid hindi n'ya alam kung bakit parang ang gaan ng kanyang pakiramdam ngayon. Hindi katulad ng mga nagdaang taon na wala ang taong dinalaw n'ya.
"Are you happy there?" Humaplos ang kamay n'yang magaspang sa ibabaw ng puntod. He gave her another smile. He looked at the picture resting on the top of it. It was her brightest smile. Her eyes were tiny slits and her face crumpled on joy.
"I miss you everyday", bulong n'ya at suminghot.
Umusal s'ya ng isang maikling panalangin para sa babaeng nakalagak doon. Ang haplos n'ya ay naging yakap at halik sa malamig na semento.
Pagkatapos ng ilan pang salita doon ay bumaling s'ya sa katabing puntod. It was the young man's rare smiling photo.
"Magkasama na kayo, hindi ba? I hope you will make my daughter happy there. You both deserve it. I don't judge you of what you did. Taking your own life is wrong. I asked a lot of people why did you do it. I already told you that what happened to my princess is not your fault."
" I will choose her, always".
Naalala n'ya ang huling sinabi sa kanya ni Gino.
"We both know it's wrong on the eyes of everyone else but I am sorry for not listening enough. And thank you for choosing my daughter, Gino. Thank you for loving her this much. I maybe selfish but I want her to be happy even in heaven", muli ay naiyak ang matanda. He was happy and sad at the same time. He felt a huge lost upong losing his daughter and now his supposed son-in-law but he knew they were both in each other's arms now.
"Dad...", Mr. Lopez thought he heard her Cresia's voice beside her. And the wind blew but it was not a cold one. It was refreshing and comforting.
Muli s'yang napangiti. Sa panaginip n'ya ay magkahawak ang dalawa, nakangiti at suot ang kanilang damit pangkasal. Cresia was waving at him as if saying she was in a good place. And Gino gave him a smile which meant assurance. Sumaludo pa ito sa kanya.
The dream was somewhat creepy but for him, it was more of a sign for him to not feel the lost so much anymore.
Sino ba namang magulang ang hindi magiging masaya kung makita at malaman nila na masaya ang kanilang anak. Hindi man sa kung saan makakasama n'ya ito pero kahit doon sa lang. Cresia's father was happy.
"Thank you, Gino. Please take care of my daughter. She's my princess and she loves you so much and I know you love her, too. I wish you two an eternal love for each other. Be at peace in each other's arms"
Ilang sandali pa ay nagpaalam na ang matanda. Pagkalabas doon ay nakangiti s'yang napatingala sa langit ng may ilang lobong puti na lumipad sa doon.
Best wishes in heaven.
