A Love To Remember

Epilogue

"What's her name, sweetie?" I asked, curious on who's the girl who visited Lhiara in her dream.

But after asking that, the smile on her face faded, "Naah, when I asked her, she didn't answered me. Basta she really looked like you.." sagot nito at tila ba may iniisip, nadako ang paningin nito picture frame na nakapatong sa taas ng mesa ko as she grabbed it and showed it to me.

"Ate Chiara! She looked like my Ate Chiara!" she beamed while starring intently at the picture, "My Ate's so pretty.." rinig kong bulong nito. Napailing na lang ako at pilit inaalala kung anong araw ba ngayon.

Tama. It's January 7, I guess we have to visit someone special tomorrow..

___

In memories of,
Chiara Isabel S. Muhlach
Born: August 14, 2000
Died: January 4, 2018

"Namiss kita, Ate.." I whispered while looking at her grave, katabi ko si Aga na kandong-kandong si Lhiara.

We'll spend this day with Chiara, we brought foods, mag-pipicnic kaming maganak dito.

"Baba ka muna, ang laki mo na eh, nagpapakandong ka pa." natatawang ani ni Aga at binaba si Lhia, frowning, umirap lang ang bunso ko at hindi na umimik pa. Frowning while rolling her eyeballs is her favorite hobby, obviously.

"Oo nga pala, I have something here." wika ko at binuksan ang bag ko as I grabbed an envelope and gave it to Aga.

"This is Chiara's letter.." he murmured, "At the back, it's written that this should be open after six years." dagdag pa niya, tumango lang ako bilang pagsagot.

"And it's been six years, I guess this is the right time?" wika ko, naguluhan man, tumango lang si Aga as he slowly opened the envelope.

Chiara left this on top of her bed inside her room, nakasaad kasi sa labas nito na bubuksan lang ito kapag lumipas na ang anim na taon..

May nilabas si Aga sa loob nito na tinuping papel, ngumiti muna siya sa' kin as he move a little closer for me to see what's written inside.

Dear Mama and Daddy,

      Hi! So you're probably reading this 6 years after my funeral just like what I intended it to be and yes, alam ko namang mamatay na ako eh, it's not a surprise anymore though. Mama, unang sentence pa lang iyan, please don't cry. Knowing you, I assume na umiiyak ka na nga ngayon, please try your very best to stop those tears from falling. Nasasaktan ako kapag umiiyak ka, physically, I may not be present there to comfort you but guess what? I'm actually watching you from above so please Mama, don't cry, ay, I forgot--- your one of a hardheaded person pala so Daddy, pag umiiyak nga si Mama ngayon, please give her a panyo in able to wipe her tears, okay? Or just use your thumb Dad, kikiligin niyan si Mama eh, sus!

But anyway, where should I start? Sa dinami-dami ng gusto kong sabihin sa inyo, hindi ko na alam kung alin ang uunahin. Thoughts kept on playing inside my mind and while im trying to figure out how to arrange them, let me reminisce our memories first, either way, mapabuti man o masamang alala, I will always treasure everything and keep it inside my heart.

Daddy, do you remember that time when I was in fifth grade, pinatawag ka sa school nun because I intentionally cut my classmate's hair, diba? Honestly, I don't regret it, she looks like a mop tho, given to the fact na she had that curly hair-- anyway, so iyon nga po, pinatawag ka ng guidance counselor because of my rude attitude and you we're hella mad at me that time and that's the start of my, well, rebellious behavior.

Wala ka po kasing oras sakin eh, wala na nga si Mommy Clara and yes, Mommy--- after all, inalagaan niya naman ako ng mabuti noong bata pa ako at kahit papano, she treated me like her real daughter so Mama, I hope 'di ka magagalit if I still address her as my Mommy, ikaw naman ang Mama ko eh and I love you more than you know! So going back, kaya lang naman po ako gumagawa ng mga 'di kagandahang bagay upang makuha ang attensyon niyo eh and gladly, I succeeded, nga lang, nakuha ko nga ang attensyon niyo, in the worst way I could think of.

Things between us Dad is such a huge mess, 'di tayo magkaayos palagi and I'm sorry for those time na pinagalala kita dahil gabi na, hindi pa 'rin ako umuuwi, sorry for giving you head aches, sorry for always yelling at you, sorry for being disrespectful, sorry kasi im not the ideal daughter you wished to have. It will take me years to finish para lang maisulat ang lahat ng mga kasalanan ko, to make it short, I'm sorry sa lahat-lahat, Daddy. I know napatawad mo na ako but still, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! 

Mama, parang dati lang, I can still remember myself fangirling and shouting non stop the first time I saw you in person, concert mo nun and as a Christmas gift, Kallie brought tickets for the both of us! I was so happy that time dahil for the first time, makikita kita in-person, words can't describe how happy I am the moment I stepped inside, every minute counts na para ba'ng ayaw kong matapos ang gabing iyon, seeing you perform right in front of me is just... I can't find the right words to say and yes, ganon kalala ang fangirl level ko. Nakanganga lang ako the whole time, I still can't comprehend everything like holy pastel, it's THE Lea Salonga!

Gaya ni Daddy, alam kong napatawad mo na ako sa mga kasalanan ko but let me say this again Ma, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for hurting your feelings before, I'm sorry for attempting to end your life, I'm sorry for intentionally asking someone to push a flower pot on top of my head just to make you feel guilty, I'm sorry for all those piercing words that I have said. Trust me, I didn't mean anything.

Cut the drama! Basta, I'm thankful to have you both, very lucky to have you guys as my parents. Huwag na huwag niyo akong kalimutan ha? Always remember na nandito lang ako sa taas, nakabantay lagi sa inyo. It's always going to be 11:11, a new hope, a serenity after a huge tragidy. I love you to infinity, galaxies, eternity, constellations, a lifetime and beyond! *gives the three of you a heartwarming hug*

Love,
Chiara ❤

Umiiyak man, nagawa ko pa ring ngumiti pagkatapos kong basahin ang laman ng liham. Alam niya talaga kung paano kami paiiyakin.

"Smile babes, smile. She's watching us from above." Aga told me as he wiped my tears using his thumbs.

"I know.." I replied, he leaned closer and kissed my forehead, a sweetest gesture a man can ever do.

Ngumiti ulit ako at pagkatapos' nun, kinandong niya ulit si Lhia na tahimik lang habang nakamasid sa' min.

"I love you babes, Lhia, and Ate.. I love the three of you so, so, so much!" I exclaimed at niyakap sila. Sila pa lang, sapat na. What more can I ask for?

"I love you too, babes.."

We've gone through a lot of challenges but look at us now? We managed to stood still because we fight together as one, gaya nga ng salitang together we stand, divided we fall. Dapat walang iwanan, kung ano man ang problemang kinakaharap mo, kaya mo iyan, kakayanin mo iyan.

Chiara's love will always be a love to remember, wala man siya dito sa tabi namin ngayon but we will never forget her because she's a part of us no matter what..

THE END.