𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 [ UNDER REVISION ]

Epilogue

"Here"may ibinigay ito sa'king isang maliit na box.

Naupo ito sa sofa"buksan muna Shane para sayu yan,sabi ni ace ibigay ko raw to sayu pag dumating ka, alam n'ya kasi hindi muna s'ya maabutan pa" bahagya akong nalungkot sa sinabi nito.

I opened the box and the first thing I saw were my photos, stolen pictures of me when I was in grade eleven. Some of them had me smiling and others had my back turned. Next, I saw the photos of Ace and me, taken when we went home together, when we were eating at a restaurant, and when we were at the beach, both of us looking back at the setting sun.

At this moment, I felt happiness. I never expected that we had photos taken during those times.

"You know, Ihja,' I looked at Aunt Mollyn. 'During those times, Ace requested that we take photos of you two because he knew he wouldn't be around for long."I cried at Aunt Mollyn's words. I never expected her to do that.

"During the times you were together, he was going through something. He had an illness, cancer of the blood, and only had one year left. He thought that you two would never see each other again since you left when you were still young, but he never expected that you would meet again in a different way. He said that during your first meeting, you threw a rock at him,"

he laughed a bit, but I could feel the pain in his words. I knew it was hard for them when Ace passed away."

I took something from the box again, and this time it was a letter.

Binuksan ko ito

*My Love Elora Shane*

I know it may take a long time before you read this letter, but I don't care as long as you get to read it.

First of all, I know you're angry because I lied to you about not being sick. Please forgive me. Forgive me for the times I couldn't explain to you why I couldn't go to school because my illness kept getting worse and worse.

Forgive me, Elora. Forgive me. If I had known earlier that you were pregnant, Jamine would have told me when I was at the hospital.

I love you so much, Elora. You are the light in my world full of darkness. Even when I'm tired, I'll always come home to you because you are my home

*I love you always my love*

I burst into tears.

"Ihja, I know you may have just found out, but I know that Ace is happy now, wherever he may be."tita hugged me.

"Mimi!!"nakita kung kakapasok lang nila kuya sa sala.

"Ito ba ang apo ko"tumango ako.niyakap naman n'ya si Danielle.

"Your just like your father"sabi nito.

"Who are you po?"magalang na sambit nito.

"She's your grandma anak"i said.

Ngumiti naman si Danielle na parang naiintindihan nito ang sinabi ko.

"Hello po grandma"

"Hi kiddo"

"Come here ipapakilala kita kay lolo mo "hinawakan ni antie mollyn si Danielle patungo sa sala.sumunod naman kami.

"Ois kaninong anak yan?"

"Wow! Ang cute naman ng bata iyan"

"Such a cute kid"

"Kamukha ni ace no?"

"Malamang anak ko kasi"singit ko sa mga sinasabi nila.

Nanlaki ang mata ng mga kaibigan ko.

"Wahh! Ninang na nga ako!"si wena

"Nako! Ninong na tayu james!"si mervin at nakipag aperan kay james.

"Ang cute naman ng inaanak ko"si elaine at pinisil ang pisnge ng anak ko.

"Mana sa ninang diba"si emral.

"Hoy! mana yan sa ninong!"singit ni Rafael.pinakilala ko si Danielle kay kuya xavier at uncle airon tuwang tuwang naman ito.

"Shut up rafa!"

"Mag anak kana kasi!"si elaine

"Ikaw nga dapat eh kasi malapit kana lumagpas sa calendaryo"duro ni joana kay rafael.

"Kung makasabi ka bakit hindi ba tayu batch?!"asik ni rafael.

"Wala akong kabatch na nagmamahal ng kaibigan noh!"

Nagbatuhan lang naman sila ng asar, haytss. mukang nasa pilipinas na nga talaga ako, ang lalaki na nila pero muka parin silang mga bata. Walang pinagbago ang kukulit parin.

"Come let's go to your father"tawag ko kay Danielle lumapit naman ito sa'kin. Nagpaalam narin ako sa'kanila na pupunta ako ng sementary.

Nang makadating kami sa sementary.

"Come here anak"lumuhod ako para magpantay kami.

"Ano po yun mi"inosenting sabi nito.

Tinuro ko ang puntod ni ace"he's your father son, say hello" I said humarap ito sa puntod ni ace.

"Hello di I'm Danielle Mondragon po,your son,you know di, sometimes i saw mommy crying while holding your photo, Even though I haven't seen you yet, I know it was you." naiiyak nalang ako sa mga sinabi nito. Parang alam na alam nito ang mga sinasabi n'ya.

I just smiled as my child shared stories with he's father, knowing that at any time, he can answer him. I looked up at the sky, Ace, I wonder if you're happy now because you can see that I'm happy with your child. Thank you for your love, Ace. I will never forget you. Thank you for giving me a gift. I looked at my child, Danielle, and this gift is the most precious to me because it came from you, an angel. I love you so much, Ace. Thank you for giving me a reason to keep on living. Thank you for the short time of love and care you gave me. The best thing I imagined is you take the risk even though you knew you might be gone forever. Even if it's just for a moment. You made me feel that I deserve to be loved. That I'm worth taking the risk.

I love you Damien Wallace Monreal.