Butterfly Effect [ATARAXIA #3]

Epilogue

MADRIX VROOKE'S

I'm looking at the city lights that are viewed from the rooftop. It's already 1 am. I can't sleep.

"You're alone." Nginitian ko si Tito Ket. Umupo ito sa tabi ko. Inabot niya sa 'kin ang starbucks coffee na dala niya. I took a sip of the coffee.

"Nag-aantay ka pa rin." A bitter smile appears on my lips. I slowly nodded.  "It's been 4 years since Gant left this place. Hindi kaba napapagod mag-antay?" Umiling ako.

"Nope, Tito. I will never get tired of waiting for him. I know he will be back for me." Cold air blew in our direction. It's like the atmosphere of the place is considering my feelings. My heart is cold. Since he left.  "Tito, what did he say to you before?" I asked. Nginitian ako ni Tito.

"He loves you. That was the last thing he said to me. And do you know what makes me proud of him that time?" 

"What?" Tito tapped my shoulder.

"He smiled. Totoong ngiti na unang beses kong makita sa kanya. While telling me he found a reason to live again and it is his butterfly." 

"Butterfly?" I uttered. 

"His butterfly is named Madrix Vrooke Fortello." My heart raced as I heard that. Hot liquids run down my face. "You change his life, Mad. If Gant is a zombie in a movie. A lifeless one. You're his cure. He doesn't have any reason to keep breathing but you came into his life and everything changed."

"He changes my life as well. I am happy before, but now? I'm happier."

"So, I will wait for him no matter what happens," I added. I heard Tito chuckle.

"Here." May inabot sa 'kin si Tito.

"Ano 'to Tito?" He stood up and grin at me.

"Open it for you to find out." He left me with questions. Napatingin ako sa box. I open it. Pagbukas ko nagliparan ang mga paro-paro na mula sa kahon na binigay ni Tito. They are beautiful. When the butterflies are gone. I looked again at the box. It's a book. A storybook.

"A prince and his butterfly." Nanginig ang kamay ko na kinuha ang libro. Nang kunin ko 'to may nahulog. As I look at it. My tears starts shed again. It his picture.  He looks so Alive. Pinulot ko ang picture. It has a message at the back.

"I'm back mad."

Napatayo agad ako at walang sabi-sabing tumakbo papunta sa dating ward niya. I didn't let anyone use it when he left. Pagbukas ko ng kwarto. A darkness welcome me. It's like how I first saw his room before. Sinara ko ang pinto. I was about to press the light switch when someone spoke.

"Don't open it." Damn! I miss his voice. I missed him so much.

"D-do you still like the dark?" I asked. I gulped. I want to run toward him and hug him tightly. I heard his laugh but not like before it's not cold. It's different. So alive. It sounds so happy that makes my heartbeat insane.

"Nope. Let's just do want we did before. Let's pretend I'm your patient again and you're my caregiver ." I can't help but laugh.

"Mad. Mad. Mad." Napakagat ako ng labi. I can't explain my emotions.