Unholy Trinity

Every night, a gun was kept inside the pillowcase of Nova. Death threats for her family was everywhere.

One afternoon, some armored men attempted to kidnap her son, Dave. It was a good thing that the security guards in the exclusive school where Dave was studying were really attentive and vigilant enough to know immediately what was happening. These guards were able to save Dave.

Another unexpected incident happened at their residence. The window of Nova’s bedroom was shot. At first, she thought it was just a stray bullet. But the policemen found out that the bullet was actually aimed at her.

Though she knew they were in danger, she never planned to hire bodyguards. She was aware that nowadays, it was really hard to trust anybody. Even your long-time friend could be your dangerous hidden enemy.

For weeks, she studied using the gun. She was a fast learner. Upon learning, she was determined she could save their lives. But she could not help herself not to worry about her husband abroad. Gino was a business tycoon. Nova was sure it was the real reason why their family was in peril now. Gino had done every good thing to elevate himself to the zenith of the business world. And now, he was a threat to almost every businessman.

Gino had been in the US for three months now taking good care of their family business. Nova missed him, really. Everything about him. She really loved her husband. And she knew he loved her as well. She just kept on worrying about him. Gino called her one time, informing her that he’d be back in the Philippines after a week or two. And she couldn’t wait for that time to arrive.

Death is really inevitable. Unexpected. We don’t know if we would be dead today, or by tomorrow. We don’t know if we would kill, or would be killed.

One night, Nova woke up because of the chaotic barking of the neighbors’ dogs. She sensed the surroundings. Instinct told her that she was in danger. And her instinct did not fail her. She could see a silhouette of man outside, seemed like spying. Then the man walked towards their gate to their door.

Nova got the gun, hid herself opposite the door and readied herself to pull the trigger, to save her and Dave’s lives.

She was very nervous. She prayed for her husband’s and Dave’s safety. She knew she might die now.

Then she heard it. With a slight click, the door opened. And then she shot the man, twice, through his heart. Her hand was quivering. She was really nervous. Behind her, someone shouted, “Dad!!.” She was shocked, and unknowingly, she shot again. Dave was not able to avoid the bullet. Blood oozed from his head, splashing everywhere.

Nova cried, threw away the gun and approached her dead son. She carried while approaching the dead man at the door. She did not want to believe what she heard. Her heart beat faster when she looked at him. And everything was confirmed.

She was a killer. She was a goon herself. A kind of a demon. Gino. Dave. She killed both her husband and son. Personally. With her bare hands.

She never thought about it. She never expected it. She laid down Dave’s body beside Gino’s. She walked away, picked up something from the tiled floor and sat down between her loved ones’ bodies.

“Bang!!”

She was dead too.

In the arms of the people she loved.

Love Amidst a Trial

Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin alam kung paanong nabago ng isang lindol ang pagtingin ko sa buhay, pag-ibig at kamatayan.

Ako si Marco Gonzales, 37, may asawa. Weeks ago, OFW pa ako. Pero ngayon, hindi ko alam kung isang bagong bayani pa rin akong maitututring. Kasulukuyan pa rin naman akong nasa Haiti.

Nilisan ko ang aking disente at magandang trabaho dahil na rin sa kagimbal-gimbal na lindol na yumanig hindi lang sa bansang ito kundi pati na rin sa ibang lugar sa mundo. Isang lindol na kumitil sa libo-libong mga inosenteng bata, isang pangyayaring tuluyan nang pumutol sa maiksing buhay na nalalabi sa mga maraming matatanda. Isang sakuna na nagkait ng magandang pangarap sa nakararaming middle-aged na tulad ko na patuloy na kumakayod-marino para mabuhay ang sarili at ang minamahal na pamilya. Isang hindi inaasahang kaganapang naghiwalay sa mga magkasintahang tunay na nagmamahalan.

Isa ako sa hindi na mabilang na naapektuhan ng lindol na rumagasa sa malaking bahagi ng Haiti. Noong kasagsagan ng lindol, hindi ko alam kung paano ko maililigtas ang sarili ko. Prinoblema ko rin ang magiging kaligtasan ng mga tao sa loob ng apartment na tinutuluyan ko. Narinig ko ang mga sigaw ng mga batang sobra ang takot sa pangyayari, ang ungol ng mga ina na waring si Sisa na hindi magkandaugaga sa paghahanap sa mga nawawalang anak.

Nakita ko sa mga taong ito ang mag-ina ko. Ang isang taong gulang kong anak na sa larawan ko pa lang nasisilayan. Ang aking asawa, ang aking Elena na tanging pinakamamahal ko. Tulad ng mga bata sa apartment, takot rin ako. Pinilit kong labanan to. Kinailangan kong tatagan ang loob ko para sa maisalba ang mga bata at babae sa apartment.

Sa tulong na rin ng pananalig sa Maykapal, nagawa ko. Nagtagumpay ako. Nailigtas ko lahat ng bata at babae sa tinutuluyan bago tuluyang gumuho ito.

Akala ko ay wala ng problema. pero nagkamali ako. May nakalimutan ako. Ang matandang mag-asawa sa kabilang kwarto. Ang nagsilbing mga magulang ko sa Haiti. Sina Nanay Koring at Tatay Tomas. Galit na galit ako sa sarili ko. Alam ko na hindi ko na kakayanin pang patawarin ang sarili sa hindi pagsagip sa mag-asawa.

Ninais kong bumalik sa gumuhong gusali. Pero pinigilan nila ako. Wala na rin akong madaanan para makapasok pa.

Sa loob ng ilang araw, sa isang evacuation center kami tumuloy. Ilang araw na rin akong walang tulog, walang pahinga. Sa ikatlong araw sa evacuation center, sandaling iniwan ko iyon para bumalik sa gumuhong apartment. Pagdating ko ron, marami ng tao ang nagtutulong-tulong para bungkalin ang nasirang gusali. Tumulong na rin ako.

Pagkatanggal sa isang malaking tipak ng bato, nagulat ako sa nakita. Maraming pananaw ko sa buhay ang nabago, sa pag-ibig, sa kamatayan.

Siguro nga kahit kamatayan, hindi kayang paghiwalayin ang mga totoong namamahalan.

Tumambad sa aking harapan ang wala ng buhay na katawan ng mag-asawa. Magkasalikop ang mga kamay nila. may mga tuyong rosas sa pagitan nila.

Sa nakita ko, naisip ko na hindi rin pala masama ang mamatay. Basta alam mong minsan sa buhay mo, nagmahal ka. At minahal ka.

Teka, hanggang dito na lang muna ang kwento ko. Ilang minuto na lang at flight mode na. Pabalik sa Pilipinas, sa mga bisig ng aking minamahal. Desidido na akong harapin ang kamatayan basta kapiling lang sila..

Salamat kina Nanay at Tatay.

Almost Lover

Love approaches us when we least expect it. Kung kailan ka hindi handa, saka umaatake. At kung kailan naman ready ka na, saka ka iniiwan.

CHAPTER 1. GENESIS: THE BEGINNING

“Truth or consequence?” pinapipili ni Rhoi si Natalie. Sa kanya kasi tumapat yung ulo ng mineral water na ginagamit nila sa pagpapaikot sa laro nila. Matamang pinagmamasdan ng hindi mabilang na mga mata si Natalie, inip na inip nang nag-iintay sa pipiliin nya.. Kinakabahan tuloy sya. Feeling nya eh nasa hot seat sya.

“Truth na lang siguro.” Sagot ni Natalie. Hindi pa rin sya sigurado kung tama ang nagging desisyon nya. Kunsabagay, alin man ang piliin nya, sigurado syang talo rin sya. Magugulo ang mga kaklase nya. Malalakas mantrip. Kaya alam nya na kahit consequence ang piliin nya, wala syang ligtas sa kalokohan ng mga ito.

“Woooooohooooo.” Sigawan ng klase. “Oh sige. Hmmm. Wala ako maisip na maitanong eh. Kaya si Jay na lang ang magtatanong sa’yo.” Narinig nyang sinabi ni Rhoi sa gitna ng kaingayan.

“Kinakabahan na ako. Ha-ha-ha. Kaya nga ba’t ayokong sumali dito eh. Tsk.” Nasambit na lang nya.

“Siguro naman eh alam mo na ang itatanong ko sa’yo?” banggit ni Jay na may halong ngiting waring nang-aasar. Pinaghandaan na nya ang magiging tanong ni Jay. Feeling kasi nya eh “sino ang crush mo sa klase” ang itatanong nya eh. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami sa klase nila na crush nya si Edward. Kaya ok lang sa kanya. Crush lang naman eh. Ngayon, sya ang panalo.Pakiramdaman nya ay naisahan nya ang mga ito.

“Sino ang crush mo sa klase?” umpisang tanong ni Jay sa kanya. Napangiti si Natalie sa tanong. Inexpect na kasi nya eh. Hindi nya napansin kaagad na may kasunod pa pala ang tanong nyang ito. “bukod kay Edward?”

Nagulat si Natalie. Kaya lalo namang nagkahiyawan ang klase. Yung iba, hindi na magkandaugaga sa pagpapatahimik sa iba para marinig ang sagot nya.

“Sumagot ka kaagad. Kapag hindi ka nakasagot within 5 seconds, magspin ka ng bottle at ikikiss mo sa cheek ang kung sino mang matapatan nito. Hehehe.” Singit ni Jane.

“Exciting to. Ha-ha-ha.” Hindi na nalaman ni Natalie kung sino ang nagkomento non.

“One.” Umpisang bilang ng klase. Pressured na kaagad sya. “Two.” Ayaw nyang malaman nila kung sino talagang crush nya sa klase. Baka kasi yun ang maging dahilan ng pagkantiyaw sa kanya ng mga ito. Na maaaring maging mitsa ng pag-iwas sa kanya ng major crush nya. “Three.” Gusto nyang magsinungaling. Pero hindi naman nya magawa. “Four.” Patuloy pa rin ang pagbibilang ng klase. “Si Edward lang talaga.” Sa huli ay naisagot nya. Hindi tuloy sya makatingin ng diretso kay Edward. Mas nahihiya sya ngayon.

“Oops. Umabot pa sya sa bilang.” sambit ni Rhoi. Bumakas ang disappointment sa mukha ng bawat kaklase nya. Iimik na sana si Mike nang sumingit si Jane, “Pero hindi naman nya nasagot ang tanong ni Jay. Bukod nga kay Edward di ba? Ha-ha-ha.”

“Spin! Spin! Spin the bottle.” sigaw ni Juliette bago sumulyap ng palihim sa katabi na si Keith. Sinundan na rin ng klase ang sigaw nya.

“Okay sige.” Parang mas madali para kay Natalie ang mag-spin na ;ang at i-kiss ang sinuman sa mga kaklase nya kesa naman aminin sa mga ito ang totoo nyang nararamdaman. Ano ba naman at simpleng kiss lang naman yun sa cheek?! Wala naman siguro malisya di ba? Tiw! Tiw! Hinawakan na nya ang bote at tuluyan na nga nyang pinaikot saka tumigil at tumapat ang ulo ng bote kay Keith na parang walang pakialam sa mga kaganapan habang tinitipa ang gitara niya. Napatigil tuloy sya sa pagtugtog nang makita ang bote na nakaturo sa kanyang harapan.

“Woah. Sakin pala napatapat.” sambit ni Keith.

“Obvious naman di ba?” singit ni Girlie who sounded angry. Bitter nga ata ito kay Keith. Hindi rin nya alam kung bakit. Siguro trip lang nya.

Hindi pinansin ni Keith ang patutsada ni Girlie. Nasanay na sya sa “galit” nito sa kanya.”Ok. Consequence na lang.” tuluyan nang naisagot ni Keith. handa naman sya sa kung anong ipagagawa ng klase nila sa kanya. Kahit nga sumayaw nag hubad eh gagawin nya. Huwag lang hubo. Natawa naman si Keith sa pag-iisip nyang iyon.

“Hindi pa ikaw Keith. Si Natalie pa rin ang taya. Kung anu-ano kasi ang pinaggagagawa eh kaya hindi na makasabay.” Bulyaw ni Irene sa kanya.

“Ganun ba? Pasensya naman. Eh ano bang gagawin ko? He-he-he. Hindi kasi talaga ako nakikinig eh.” Sagot ni Keith habang napapakamot pa sa batok.

“Uupo ka lang naman dyan eh. Wala ka naman talag gagawin. Si Natalie ang gagawa. Bale, iki-kiss ka lang naman nya sa cheek.” Magkahalong biro at pang-aasar na nagsalita si Rhoi. Natahimik na lang si Keith. Gulat sa nagging takbo ng kanilang “Truth or Consequence”.

“Handa ka na ba, Natalie?” tanong ni Jane. Iling lang ang tanging naisagot ni Natalie kay Jane. “Okay lang yan. Wala naming malisya eh.” Ngumiti si Jane.

“Oo nga. Ha-ha. Sige. Gagawin ko na.” nabanggit ni Natalie. Lumakad na sya papalapit kay Keith. At bumalot sa pandinig nya ang mga naghalo-halong kantiyawan at sigawan sa kanila ng mga kaklase nya.

“Weh. Tumigil nga kayo. Laro lang naman to eh. Camera off ha.” Narinig nyang sinabi ni Keith. Natatawa sya ngayon. Hindi nga nya alam kung ano ang dapat irereact eh. Bahala na nga. At lumapat na nga ang labi ni Natalie sa pisngi ni Keith sa loob ng three seconds. Maikling oras lang, pero ang feeling ni Natalie eh 10 seconds. Ganun nga ba kapag humahalik? Natanong na lang nya sa kanyang sarili. At tuluyan na talagang nagkagulo sa klase. Sobrang ingay talaga. Hindi na magkarinigan. Kaya bumalik na sya sa pwesto nya para ipagpatuloy ang laro nila. Sigurado naman syang kinabukasan eh makakalimutan na rin ng mga kaklase nya ang nangyari ngayon.

“Teka. Tahimik na. Ituloy na natin to. Ako na ang mag-i-spin ng bote.” Saway nya sa classmates nya.

“Ayawan na. Ayawan na.” sabay-sabay na sigaw ng mga kaklase nya.

“Waaaaaaaaah. Andaya naman eh.” Naasar syang natatawa. Hindi alam ang gagawin.

“Tara. Uwian na tayo. Next time ulet. Hehehe. Nag-enjoy ako dun ah. Lalo na sa huling entertainers natin.” Sabi ni Rhoi habang nagpapalipat-lipat ng tingin kina Keith at Natalie.

“Tse.” Sabay na sagot nina Natalie at Keith, dahilan para magkatinginan silang dalawa. At sabay na tumawa.

“Uy. Uy. Uy.” Sigaw na naman ng mga kaklase nila. Nasaksihan pala ng mga ito ang huling nangyari sa pagitan nilang dalawa.

itutuloy..

———————————————————————————————-

This one is for Ms. Kay Ann Capacia

Tears No More

Nothing lasts forever. Holding on to something or someone you love might be tiring one day. Like a leaf in a tree, I am trying my best to hold still, trying not to leave behind the one I love. But no matter how hard I endeavor to cling like a vine, there is something that forces me to leave.

Like the wind, this disease that devours my weak body and mind blows me away from her. Every day and night, I see her shedding tears because of me. And it pains me. Who, among you, desire to see your loved ones’ faces being flooded with tears out of loneliness? Out of suffering?

For two weeks, I’ve been confined in this exclusive hospital. For two weeks, I’ve been visited by my lover, Rhoma. So it means that she’s been shedding tears for 14 consecutive days. According to my doctor, I still have one day to live. And that makes me happy. Weird? Maybe. But I don’t care. If this weirdness were her savior from this misery, then I would be willing to become weird as long as I live.

One day and I am going to leave her. It is really hard for me. Saying goodbye to Rhoma would be the hardest thing to do. She still doesn’t know that she would be single after 24 hours or less. I am still confused if I am going to tell her the truth. This might add tears to her. And I hate it. Somebody, help me please.

Tonight, she’ll be visiting me again. Maybe, I will tell her the truth later. I don’t know how she is going to react. I know she would be angry. But what could I do? If you were in my place, would you dare tell her the truth? Maybe yes. Maybe no. I’m getting sleepy now. I think the drug injected to me causes this drowsiness.

When I woke up, I felt immediately her presence. I heard the sounds of her crying. I slowly opened my eyes and looked toward her direction. She looked “more dead” than me. Her eyebags were obviously black, thick. Her face was very white. She looked really dead except for her wailing and tears.

She laid her eyes on me, stood up and approached me. And she said, “How could you do this to me? I have loved you for years.” She paused for a while and spoke again. “Never did I request anything from you except for your love. Never did I forget our anniversaries. Never did I get angry with you. Never did I forget to love you. All these years, I thought you really love me.”

“I love you. I really do.” I interrupted her.

She continued. “You love me? Really? But how could you keep a simple truth from me? How could you do this to me? How dare you not tell me that you are going to leave me so soon? I had no idea. I don’t know.” She sobbed again.

“Do you think it is that easy for me? The thought of leaving you alone in this vast world truly hurts me. What more if I really leave you? Without anyone to look after you. Without anyone to guide you. To wipe your tears when you cry. To be leaned on to. To serve as your light in the dark. I love you. I just don’t know how to say goodbye to you, without hurting you.”

After she heard my words, she turned and walked away. I saw her wipe her tears before she even reached the door. My heart beat very slowly. With that, I know that I could now sleep peacefully, serenely. And I am really certain that this will put an end to her suffering. And it would be tears no more.

Bye Rhoma. Forever.

Ang Snow at si Lolo Amboy

Matagal nang pinapangarap ni Lola Tasing na makakita ng snow. Ang makapaglaro at makapglandi nito.

Ito na siguro ang pagkakataong pinakamimithi nya. Sigurado sya, matutupad na.

Unti-unti nyang binilot at ikinorteng bola ang malalambot na snow. Isa-isang inihagisni Lola Tasing ang mga nabuong bolang snow sa mga kapwa matatanda na kasama nya. Maya-maya nakipaglandian na rin ang mga ito sa kanya.

Para silang mga batang sabik sa paglalaro. Hindi mailarawan ng mga salita ang kasiyahang nararamdaman nila.

Bawat matanda ay may kanya-kanya nang hawak na bola ng nyebe. Bato rito. Bato roon. Wala silang pakialam sa ginagawa nilang pagkakalat.

“Tasing, saluhin mo ang bolang ito.” Narinig ni Lola Tasing na isinigaw ni Lolo Amboy ang mga katagang iyon. Subalit paglingon nya ay sa mukha sya natamaan. Ngayon lang nalaman ni Lola Tasing na may lasa pa lang hindi kaaya-aya ang nyebe.

Nilapitan sya ni Lolo Amboy para humingi ng tawad sa pagtama ng snow sa mukha nya. Naulinigan nya nilang dalawa ang tuksuhang hatid ng makukulit na sina Lola Saring, Lola Buding at Lolo Uring.

Tinawanan lamang nina Lola Tasing at Lolo Amboy ang asarang iyon. Nakita ni Lola Tasing ang pagkindat sa kanya ni Lolo Amboy. May hatid na kilig ang ginawang ito sa kanya ni Lolo Amboy.

Maya-maya ay may nagbukas ng pinto. Pumasok ang tatlong tao. Isang magandang babae at dalawang matitipunong lalaki. Nakakasilaw sa mata ang malilimis at mapuputi nilang kasuotan. Hindi sinasadyang natamaan ang tatlong ito ng nyebe na gawa ng mga matatanda.

Galit na galit ang tatlo, waring mga enkantado at enkantadang handang parusahan ang mga nagkasala sa kalikasan.

“Yuck. Ang baho.” Sigaw ng magandang babae. “Guard!! Guard!! Bilisan mo. Nagkakagulo na rito.”

Sandali lang at dumating na ang tinawag na gwardya. Ikinagulat ito nina lolo’t lola.

“Paghiwa-hiwalayin mo ang mga matatandang iyan. Papaliguan nyo at ang baho-baho o.” utos at komento pa ng magandang babae.

“Masusunod po, Doktora.” sagot ng bagong dating na gwardya.

“Huwaaaaaaaaaag. Huwag nyo kaming paghiwalayin. Hindi ko makakayanan na magkalayo kami.” sigaw ni Lola Tasing.

“Hindi kami makakapayag na paglayuin kami ni Tasing. Bitawan mo ako.” matigas na pananalita ni Lolo Amboy.

Ilang sandali pa at dumating pa ang ilang armadong kalalakihan at mga nakaputing babae.

“Tasiiiiiiiiing!!”

“Amboooooooooyy!!”

At tuluyan na silang pinaghiwa-hiwalay. Pinaliguan at pinakain.

Ibinalik na si Lola Tasing sa Kwarto nya sa Home for the Aged. Malinis na ang kwarto. Binalot sya ng kalungkutan. Wala na ang masangsang na amoy. Wala na ang kulay tsokolateng snow. Wala na si Lolo Amboy.

My Wedding

A bride’s perspective towards a wedding she couldn’t own.
———————————– ———————————————–

“Ting! Ting! Ting!”

The church bell rang. A signal for the start of the mass.

Today is a very special day. Not for me. But for my groom.

I have just arrived.

Today is my wedding day.

I was being taken by my father to the altar. Inside the church,

I could see people staring at me. Happiness registered in every visitor’s face. Now, I could see my husband-to-be waiting for me patiently near the altar. Behind him were his father and some relatives. While on the opposite chair was my bestfriend, the one I truly love. He was staring at me in awe. I could see the gladness in his face. And that really hurt me. How could he be happy for me when I was going to marry another man? How could not I be hurt to see the one I love rejoicing for my misfortune?

It was good that my face was concealed by a slightly transparent veil. No one could see the loneliness in my face. All they could see was my fake smile.

I looked at my best friend for the second time secretly. Time seemed to cease upon me seeing him. But unfortunately, it did not stop.

Seconds later, I was in the altar. With the groom.

I was with him. But both my mind and brain were with my bestfriend.

I almost got lost of the time. It appeared like everything happening now was being fast-forwarded. I was just able to cope up again when the celebrant asked me with the “magic question.”

I could not think straight. I was still confused to answer. I looked behind me, and saw my father. I tried not to look my bestfriend. I feared that seeing him one last time would spoil my wedding, my father’s happiness. It was like I was forced to answer, “Yes, I do.”

Now, it was time for the priest to ask the groom. I prayed that he won’t answer. But without hesitation, he answered “Yes, I do” too.

Time was so fast…

And it was the right time for the groom to kiss me.

With my veil being lifted slowly, I felt some kind of nervous.

I know there was still pain in me. A pang of disappointment. Anger for myself. It felt like the only thing left for me was my father’s happiness.

When our lips met, I saw with a sideway glance my bestfriend turn and walk away, leaving me like an outdated toy, shards of glass that could not be mended anymore. Tears flowed through my cheeks. I wanted to fix myself and follow him. I didn’t care if I’d be a runaway bride. I just felt the need to see him. So I removed my veil and ran.

When I reached the outside of the church, I wiped my tears with the handkerchief I received from him years ago. It was a good thing I kept it in my camisole.

I just continued meandering in the vast space occupied by the town plaza, hoping that somewhere out there, I would see my bestfriend again. I never cared if people looked at me with disgust or shock. I just cared to see him again. To tell my bestfriend that I loved him.

But fate was cruel to me. I never laid eyes upon him again.

I just stayed at a restaurant, facing the flowing river. At the end of the day, I saw a hand offering me a familiar handkerchief. When I looked up, I saw him. My groom.

And for the second time, I was forced to accept him in my life.

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Read this to hear the best man’s perspective:

http://shambolicamalgam.wordpress.com/2010/01/03/her-wedding/

She Won't Be There

Nothing is permanent in this world. No one will stay with us forever. We may have plethora of companions, friends or lovers today. But we might be alone tomorrow. I am telling you. It’s definitely a different day.

Once there was this young man named Kevin. All his life, the only woman he felt he needed most except for her mother was Shane. They were of the same age. He met her at a friend’s birthday party decades ago.

Kevin couldn’t forget the first time he saw her. A typical playboy, he never expected to love truly at a very young age. Upon laying eyes on her, he promised to himself and to her not to look on other girls granted she’d allow him to court her. A promise he would be vowing to forever. A promise she would be holding on to for the rest of eternity.

Not long, they were in a relationship more complex than friendship, a more complicated commitment. Shane introduced Kevin to her parents. And Kevin made Shane meet his mother. Almost bimonthly, they visited Kevin’s father in the cemetery together. They also met each other’s friends.

One day, unexpectedly, Shane contracted an infectious malady. Everyone who had a close contact with her was quarantined. Kevin really wanted to come to her, to make her feel his presence, his love for her. The warmth. Everything. But what could he do? He was one of those isolated from the masses.

This sickness initially slowly consumed the lower part of Shane’s body. But weeks after, her brain and nervous system got affected too until this sickness devoured her body totally. Until she finally surrendered and left all her loved ones including her Kevin.

Kevin felt like a bird trapped in a cage. He desired to flee to accompany Shane in her dilemma, suffering. But he felt his wings were damaged, hindering him to fly. After Shane’s death, he was discharged from being secluded, including Shane’s parents and friends. He was very irate. He was bereft of his right to join the one he loved during her predicament and difficulty.

Shane’s parents immediately arranged her two-day funeral. It was short because they were ordered to do it like that. They invited everyone who was close to their daughter. Almost everybody showed up except for Kevin. Shane’s parents felt a sense of disappointment because of that. They never thought of hunting Kevin too. Instead, they just let him go.

Since the demise of Shane, Kevin was always seen alone, grieving over his loss, by the River of Eternal Tears. Decades had passed, Kevin never thought of courting another girl. His heart beat only once. His heart beat for a single girl.

He was old now. He was almost deaf. He was almost mute. But he made sure that his story would be passed on to at least a person. He told the whole story to his caretaker but never mentioned why he didn’t show up on Shane’s funeral.

One day, the caretaker saw Kevin’s dead body on his bedroom. He seemed sleeping soundlessly and peacefully. On top of him was a piece of paper. Some phrases were written almost illegibly. The words read:

“People were asking me why I never showed up again on Shane’s funeral. I just kept the answer to myself. Why should I really show up? Why should I go to Shane’s house? I NEVER SHOWED UP BECAUSE I KNEW THAT SHE WOULDN’T REALLY BE THERE.”