See You Soon, Soldier (Ambience Series #1)

Epilogue

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***

I forgot I was never the one who received his flying kisses.

He never returned mine, because he sent something else.

The peace and worth of chaos. The knowledge of life.

Pinangako ko rin ang araw na ito sa sarili, ang minsan ko ring balang araw sa loob ng napakahabang panahon. Ang masilayan ulit ang mukha ng mga tao. Mga mukhang may ngiti, mangha, at luha sa bawat tanaw ko sa mataas na entablado.

I would prefer in the middle of the crowd. Totally, unfamiliar, unrecognized. Be one with the people. Mediate with their smiles and holding their hands with rejoicing tears in healing of the world.

What would I feel? I don't know.

But I would not retreat on this day.

Ang araw kung saan pwede na akong magsalita. Marinig ang aking tinig ng buhay. Ipapaalam ko sa lahat na buhay ako. Nandito pa ako. At wala akong ibang ginawa kundi ang sumubok na mabuhay.

But before the stage, I need to speak somewhere first.

Buo ang katatagan kong tumapak sa loob ng selda ng dalawang babae at isang wala na sa katinuang lalaki.

Naaanig ko silang tatlo sa loob ng salamin na sinundan pa ng mga sunod-sunod na rehas sa bawat pagitan nila. Lahat sila ay may kanya-kanyang ekspresyong pinapanatili, humihinga ng malalim para iwasan ang pagpapatalo sa iba pang pakiramdam na bumabagabag sa kanila.

I had the advantage. I can see them very clearly behind the glass while they sat on their beds, having no idea I was standing in front of them.

I knew one of them too well. And I can say what she did was not possible for her desperation.

What have I done to the three of you?

"This way, Mrs. Esperaz," paggagabay sakin ng mataas na sundalong nakabantay tagong pasilidad na ito.

Binigyan ko siya ng tango at inayos ang pulang damit na suot ko. My heels clicked on floor when I followed him. He lead me to the sealed door. I stopped on my position and waited for him to unlock the seal with his fingerprints and numerous codes.

I looked away.

"Are you sure about this?"

Augustus Esperaz asked beside me. Kagaya ko ay mataas din ang tindig sa may dangal nitong mukha. Kahit sa nanghihina na niyang katawan ay nagawa niya pa ring tumayo ng matuwid sa pagharap sa mga taong ito.

May lumapit sa kanyang isang nakaunipormeng lalaki at hinawakan ang kanang balikat nito. The man tightened the patch covering his absent figure.

Bumuntong hininga ako.

The Commander loss his right arm because of too much pressure when he tried to foil the explosion. It burned his entire arm and reached almost half of his body. When his body was turned from the ground, many thought he was no longer breathing.

Then he had a pulse.

His survival became an insight to all.

"It has been two years..." He reminded.

Bumalik ang mata ko sa lalaking binubuksan ang pintuan ng selda. Ang mga daliri ko ay nagsaklop sa isa't isa. Pinaglaruan ko ang inukit na singsing sa aking pagitan.