The Way He Smashes Her Heart

Chapter 65: Huling Yakap

"Kaya ko na 'to. Just wait for me at the school gate." he said and no choice kundi itulak ko na lang yung wheelchair at sumunod na lang sa iba.

After maybe twelve steps away pero hindi pa ako nakakalayo sa kanya. I heard a hiss in pain. Agad akong lumingon at nakita ko si Kian, losing his balance. I ran, hoping na masalo ko siya. Before he hit the ground, my arms got him. Dahil sa bigat niya, umupo na lang ako and he rests on my lap but still my arms wraped around him. He slightly opened his eyes.

(********play the track above***********)

"El...nor..." he called my name. Napansin ko na iba ang way ng pag hinga niya. Naghihingalo siya. No, huwag ngayon, huwag! Hindi pa pwede! Hindi ko nanaman kaya ang nakikita ko ngayon.

I started crying. "Elnor.... don't.... cry...." he said pero it's useless. The words made me cry even more! He lifted up his hand and wiped my tears.

"You said you will never leave me again." sabi ko sa kanya.

Bumalik ang iba naming kasama and they saw us. Agad nang nilabas ni Sir Cris ang kanyang cellphone para tawagan sila Tita Jolina. "MARE! SI KIAN! PUMUNTA NA KAYO DITO NOW NA!" he shouted at the phone. Kian shooked his head.

"Even if my... mother will find me in time... I will... still die." sabi niya but I interrupted him by hugging him so tight. We stayed in that position. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko na umiyak. The cliff was filled with sobs.

"DON'T SAY THAT!" I shouted not wanting to hear those words. "D-don't leave me, Kian. I beg of you..." I cried.

"Elnor, one thing..." he choked out.

"Ano iyon?"

"A-anong mangyayari... pag tinamaan mo... ang shuttlecock?" he asked. Teka, namamatay na yung tao, ganoon ang tinatanong. Sinagot ko na lang ito.

"Pupunta iyon sa kabilang side ng court. Pag tinamaan naman ng opponent ko, babalik sa akin." I answered.

Kian smiled and he hold my hand. Tears went down to his face. Our teary eyes contacted to each other.

"G-Good answer.... now remember. Just like the shuttlecock, ako ay pupunta na sa kabilang buhay. But if God will give me an another chance, babalik at babalik din ako sa'yo. Pangako iyan..." he said wiping my tears.

"That is my last lesson for you as your first badminton coach..." dagdag niya. And medyo bumabagal at lumalalim na ang paghinga niya.

Mas hinigpit ko ang yakap ko sa kanya. I am now crying loudly. Lahat ng mga kasama namin ay umiiyak na din. Allen hugged Angie to make her feel better, Kristel is covering her face and halos nayuyupi na ni Sir Cris yung cellphone niya dahil sa sobrang iyak niya.

"You are my first and last coach..." bulong ko sa kanya.

He uses his right hand to cup my left cheek. "Whatever kind of battle that you will encounter... make me.... your inspiration...." sabi niya.

"I am... a best example.... I.... went in.... an almost... four-year battle... against cancer..." he added. I continued crying and crying. The skies became dull and the wind blew gently.

"Sa inyong lahat, maraming salamat..." he smiled at us despite na puro luha na ang kanyang pisngi. "So, Elnor... I assume that... the battle is over... and I am now... so tired..." I looked at him and he is trying his best not to close his eyes.

"So may I... rest in your arms.... in peace?"

I stroked his forehead. I held back my tears and smiled, "Yes, you may."

Then, he kissed me on my bottom lip, "I love you, Elnor... wait for me."

"I love you too, Kian."

Then, there's silence. As I hear his final breath, his hands fell, his eyes were closed and he stopped breathing. But there is a smile formed in his face. He is... gone.

I pulled his body in a hug and wept. Memories appear in my mind again. From the day we met for the first time, we became friends, the competitions we go through together, the moments we spend together, the time that he cooked breakfast for me, nung nag bonding kami sa bahay niya, when he throwed me a surprise birthday party, yung mga marriage booth moments, his hugs, his kisses, his words, until our final moments together. To be honest, it smashes my heart into pieces.

The wind gently blew as if it is a sign that he is saying goodbye to all of us.

"You won the battle, Kian..." I said as I kissed his forehead and staring at his peaceful expression. "You won." I repeated and we wait for Tita Jolina to arrive. Kian is gone but his love will remain in our hearts forever.

Author's note: Song used: "First Love" - Goblin OST BGM
Next Elnor's hint: Japan
Stay tuned!