The Bullet's Affection [Battle Above the Clouds Series #3]

Epilogo

Stacey's PoV
-present time-

I slowly walked towards his direction. Matagal nang nangyari ang insidenteng iyon ngunit presko pa sa aalala ko.

I tried to hugged this figure infront of me but it's just a hologram. Damn it. I started crying when it starts to talk.

"Angas naman ng mga imbensiyon ng tao ngayon oh." bahagya itong natawa ngunit kalaunan ay sumeryoso.

"Stacey, how I wish that this thing wouldn't find it's way to you. Dahil kung naririnig mo ako ngayon mula sa hologram na ito ay malamang bangkay na ako."the voice is exactly like him.

I looked like a crazy person, laughing while crying. This stupid man. I miss him.

"If ever you are listening through this right now. I just want you to know that I am at peace. Gagabayan kita pero hindi mumultuhin. Remember that I love you so much! I will always be right beside you." tumigil ito sagoit at nag-finger heart.

"I love you more, sir." bulong ko.

"Don't stop yourself from loving again. Choose a man that will love you more than I did." he smiled bitterly. "Magkikita pa tayo sa susunod nating buhay ha? Doon papakasalan na kita. Hindi ako magsusundalo pati rin ikaw, okay? Para sure nang matutuloy ang kasalan!" biro niya.

"Just continue serving the motherland for me, my love. Kung mawawala man ako ngayon. Atleast, I died protecting the country and saving you at the same time." dagdag niya

Humagulgol ako dahil sa narinig. No man will ever replace him. I've decided not to marry anyone and just serve for the country.

" Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes
But it's the only thing that I know
When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing makes us feel alive."

The hologram of him started singing. Who would thought that he recorded his self for this. I guess he really is ready when he accepted the mission.

Tangina. Akala ko ayos na ako. But I think I will never be okay. I miss him always.

"We keep this love in a photograph,
We made this memories for ourselves.
Where our eyes are never closing,
Hearts are never broken
And times forever frozen still."

I recall every moment we spend together. All those months that we are still holding each other's hand. The dates. The kulitans and everything.

"So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans
Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home."

"Kada uuwi ako ng bahay. Hinihintay kita. Bawat sulok ng bahay ay naalala kita." umiiyak kong wika. "I am even imagining that you are there waiting for me every time i come home. You, standing there and waving at me while you are smiling. Cooking my foods. Brushing my hair."

Hindi ko namamalayang humahagulgol na pala ako. Alam kong imposible pero palagi kong pinagdadasal na sana bumalik siya.

When he passed away. Nagpunta akos a isang chapel at nagwala. I questioned God for what happened. Tinanong ko kung may kasalanan ba akong malaki at kailangan pang mawala ang taong mahal ko.

But, after that, I realized something. God must've have a plan. Kilala niya siguro ako bilang isang mahinang tao. Kaya siguro pinagtagpo niya kami ni Vincent para gawin akong matatag.

Pagkatapos ng mga pinagdaanan ko'y naging mas matatag ako. I learned how to stand on my own. I became more independent. Iginugol ko ang oras ko sa serbisyo.

"Stacey," napabalik ang tingin ko sa hologram. "You are my greatest affection. You are the Bullet's Affection."

After saying those word ay nag-off na ito. Napaupo ako sa sahig at yumuko. Nakatitig lang ako sa hologram na ngayon ay nakapatay na.

Pumasok si Nica sa loob ng silid at niyakap ako. She started patting my back while hugging me. She's always there during my darkest time.

Siya ang nagsilbing tungkod konsa muli kong pagbangon. Kahit na amyroon na siyang pamilya ay nagagawan pa rin niyang gawan ng paraan ang pumunta sa akin tuwing may pinagdaraanan ako.

"Shh...just cry, Acey. I am here." wika niya sa akin.

"Thank you. Thank you, Nica." umiiyak na sabi ko rito.

I hugged her tight while crying so hard. I let myself cry and cry hanggang sa mapagod ako. She just stayed beside me listening to my words.

"I will never get tired listening to your problems, Acey."ngumiti siya sa akin

"I will always be here for you, Nica." niyakap ko siya ulit nang mahigpit.

I am so lucky to have a bestfriend like her. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupulutin kung wala siya.

I decided to get the hologram and bring it home. Alam kong masasaktan lang ako kapag pinakinggan ko pa ito. Pero mas pinili kong kunin ito at itago.

Kinaumagahan ay maaga akong gumising at nagpunta sa bundok. I stand there while watching the sunrise.

"Vincent!!! Nasaan ka man ngayon! I just want you to know that I am now okay! I love you, Captain!!!" sigaw ko.

I will always love you. In our next life, hahanapin kita. Wait for me there.

Naramdaman ko ang malamig na hanging dumampi sa aking balat. A brown butterfly landed on my hand. This must be him.

"Ang daya mo. Akala ko ihaharap mo pa ako sa altar eh." I started tearing up again. " Pero ayos lang. Sa susunod na buhay matutupad na ito." bulong ko.

The butterfly flew away. Umupo ako sa damuhan at hinintay ang tuluyang pagliwanag ng paligid. I looked at the sky and smiled.

"Masaya ka diyan? Kung masaya ka na. Masaya na rin ako."

Tinignan ko ang suot kong singsing. This was my engagement ring, the one he gave me. I never removed it from my finger since that day.

He will forever be my man, my captain. No one can replace him.

Umalis ako sa lugar na iyon nang may ngiti sa labi. I am now determined to continue living alone. With his guidance, God, I can move forward.

I am Stacey Rvynz Chua, a medical doctor and a military officer. Now ready to save the country with full determination.