"Sa susunod na buhay-" sabi ni Andre.
"Susunod?" tanong ni Rosaria.
"Bakit hindi 'to? Bakit ang ibang mundo? Bakit ibang buhay? Bakit iba?"
"Bakit? Bakit? Bakit? Bakit? Bakit? Bakit? Bakit?"
"Ang lahat ng aking mga tanong na hindi nasagot, at sa kabila nito, hinihintay ko ang pagbabalik mo, anuman ang lumipas na oras."
"Ang aking pasensya ba'y sa wakas ay magdadala sa pagbalik mo sa'kin? O magpapatuloy ba ako sa pag-iral sa sakit na 'to nang wala ka?" Rosaria pondered aloud, addressing no one in particular.
Suddenly, she stirred, awakening from her dreams with lingering thoughts of the mysterious otherworldly existence.
Rosaria awoke from the dream, and as she looked out of her window, she realized that the season of heat had returned.
Siya'y bumulong, pagnanasa ang malamig na hangin mula sa A.C sa kwarto para makatakas sa mainit na panahon.
"Andre..."
"Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita sa aking mga panaginip?"
Sa isang buntong-hininga, itinulak niya ang sarili palabas ng kama, may determinasyon na palayain ang kalungkutan na dulot ng tag-init. Today was a different day, one that held the promise of rediscovering lost memories. She was headed to the art studio where she used to spend countless hours with Andre.
Rosaria stepped out of her apartment, feeling the familiar weight of the summer humidity press down on her like a soggy blanket. She sighed, wiping away the beads of sweat that had already formed on her brow.
I hate summer.
It's so hard to breathe in the summer because of the humidity.
Sometimes it's so bad that I feel like I'll drown to death.
She thought, fanning herself with her hand.
But there was a person she was especially reminded of when that season came. Itinaboy niya ang kanyang kalungkutan at nagpasiya na maghanda para sa pagpunta sa art studio. Nang dumating siya, 5:45 AM na, her friend, also the art director greeted her warmly,
"Rosaria, buti naman dumating ka. Naglilinis lang ako dito."
Rosaria nodded, her eyes scanning the clutter.
"Kaya naman pala pinapapunta mo ko dito."
"Omsim"
The studio was filled with materials and drawings, some of which seemed forgotten and abandoned.
Nagsimula si Rosaria sa paghahanap-hanap sa kalat at napansin ang isang piraso ng papel na nakatago sa gitna ng mga materyales. Kinuha niya ito at masusing sinuri, na puno ng kuryosidad.
"Bakit may papel dito?" Rosaria wondered aloud.
As she unfolded the paper, a flood of memories from the past rushed back.
ROSA'S POV:
"It was so nice to see him draw back then," said her friend.
A wistful smile played on Rosaria's lips as she gently caressed the drawing.
"He appeared in my dream today..."
"And it was the first time in years."
"But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't remember his face."
DU LIEST GERADE
In The Arms Of a Loving Memory (TAGALOG VER.)
RomantikRosaria Swarovski, driven by the need to move on from Andre Valentino, discarded all of his photos and sketches, only to later regret her decision. After college, she keenly felt Andre's absence. Yen, her friend, encouraged her to live well, prompti...
