Chess Pieces Aftermath: Lucius D'Angelo

Chapter 9

It was dark when I opened my eyes. The only source of light was the moonlight passing through the wall glass. I was back in my room at my place with no idea how I got there. Hindi ko rin namalayan na nakatulog ako sa kabila ng sakit ng ulo ko. My head was still throbbing in pain when I woke up.

I groaned. Bumiling ako sa higaan pero napatigil din nang mapansing hindi lang ako nag-iisa sa kwarto. May babaeng nakaupo sa gilid ng kama ko. Just beside me.

Her back was facing me. Her long black hair flowed down beautifully to her waist. Some parts of her hair were in front of her. Kaya napansin ko ang manipis na strap sa balikat n'ya ng suot n'yang puting bestida. Tuwid na tuwid ang likod n'ya sa pagkakaupo.

At kahit na nakatalikod s'ya sa 'kin, kahit na makalimutan ko pa yata ang lahat, hinding-hindi s'ya makakalimutan ng puso ko.

"Angela...?"

Oh, thank God.... It was all just a dream. She's here. Inside my room. With me. Gigisingin n'ya ako na palagi n'yang ginagawa kapag napasukan n'ya akong tulog sa kwarto ko. Sasabihin n'yang nakahanda na ang almusal. She wanted us to eat breakfast together.

That was one of the usual mornings I always look forward to too. Na kahit paulit-ulit pang mangyari, hinding-hindi ko pagsasawaan. And I wanted this to last a lifetime.

"Angel—"

Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita nang makitang unting-unting nagkakaroon ng mantsa ang parte ng damit n'ya sa likod. It was one spot at first. Until it became two. Parami nang parami iyon at kumakalat nang mabilis. Her dressed was being soaked with it. Until it looked like she wasn't wearing a white dress anymore but in a different color now. The darkness of my room made the color even darker.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng panlalamig. A metal scent filled the air. It was a scent that was so familiar to me.

Slowly, Angela turned to look at me. Her face was as pale as paper. The moonlight illuminated one side of her face, casting a shadow from the other side. Ang buhok n'yang mahaba ay nakabagsak sa magkabilang gilid ng mukha n'ya.

Ganoong-ganoon ang itsura n'ya nang huli ko s'yang makita. The last time I held her in my arms. Until her body became rigid and cold.

But still, I was thankful for this moment. Dahil nakita ko ulit ang mukha n'ya kahit pa gaano kasakit sa 'kin ang makita s'yang ganito.

How many times did I wish to see her again? How many times did I hope to spend some time with her? Na kahit ilang segundo lang ang ibigay sa 'kin ay makukuntento na ako. How many times did I wish to hold her again? How many times did I wish to hear her voice again?

Napakaraming beses nang sa tingin ko ay kung may nakakarinig man ay nagsasawa na sa hiling kong paulit-ulit. Pero hinding-hindi ko titigilan ang paghiling ng mga bagay na 'yon. Kahit mawalan man ako ng boses.

I looked at her eyes and they were bloodshot with unshed tears. She was looking at me, full of anger, and I couldn't do anything but stared back at her and accepted her anger. 'Wag lang s'yang mawala sa paningin ko.

Inangat ko ang kamay ko at sinubukang abutin ang mukha n'ya. Somehow, my body felt heavy. Pero nilabanan ko iyon. I wanted to hold her again.

God, please. Let me hold her again.

The moment my palm reached her cheek, I felt the coldness of her body. Gone was the warmth I always felt whenever I held her. Gone was the warmth that I always liked to feel. Gone was the warmth that comforted me whenever I felt alone.

Para bang sinasampal sa 'kin ngayon ang mga nangyari noon. Na kahit ilang taon pa ang lumipas ay hinding-hindi ko matatakasan.

"Oh, love..." My voice cracked. "I'm so sorry."