Shattered Souls

Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Until Again

The thought of going home after school, the idea of only a few hours left at work and you could finally call it a day and come home, the comforting feeling just by thinking of home – there's just really something about home.

Home could mean different things – place, memory, feeling, person and others. We all have our own definition for it but at the end of the day, we all share same sentiments – we all want to go home no matter what.

I stared at her gravestone where the name was embedded on. Maybe she is at home now, too. After years of being away, she's finally where exactly she belongs to.

"I bought you a flower, Miss Montereal," Lady Nathalia put the colorful bouquet of flowers on the gravestone. "Same color palette as your make-up. Your coffin costs more than your entire generation's net worth. You finally looked more stunning than me. What more could you wish for?"

Albina Montereal, Nightfall Clan.

A bitter smile formed on my face as I remembered the first time I met her. That's when I was crying in front of my Mom's tombstone. She appeared out of nowhere and asked me why I was crying over a stone, why I was talking to something as if it could hear me.

But I hope she could hear my thoughts. We did it, Albina. We won the war. Though I wish you were here, I know you are somewhere better now. You will never be forgotten. Ever.

I walked a few steps to reach another gravestone. Doon ako umupo at pinatong ang hawak na bulaklak. I traced the letters embedded on the gravestone – Celeste Merjudio, Nightfall Clan.

"Hey..." I smiled as if she could see me. "Hindi kita gaanong nakausap nung mga sandaling 'yon. If only you just needed half of my blood, I would be more than willing to give it. Pero, wala e. Salamat, Celeste. I've never had a sibling but if I could have one, I would want it to be you. I hope you are good now."

Nanlabo ang mga mata ko dahil sa luha. Mabilis kong pinahid ito dahil baka mapagalitan ako ni Lady Nath. Siya ang nag make up sa akin. Pinagbantaan pa ako nito na huwag itong sisirain.

Suminghap ako ng hangin. "Thank you for everything, Lady Celeste. You are one of the reasons why I am still here. Rest well... Miss Merjudio."

Naramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin. "Ikaw na muna ang bumisita sa kanya ah? Don't forget to give her flowers she deserves," pakiusap ni Randolf.

"Oo naman," nakangiti kong tugon.

Naramdaman kong hinagod niya ang likod ko. "Don't feel sad. Celeste is in a better place now."

Bumaling ako kay Randolf. Nakabihis na ito. Nakaramdam ako ng lungkot. "Ayaw mo ba talagang samahan ka namin sa airport?" tanong ko.

He shook his head. "I prefer to leave alone. Saka... may pupuntahan pa kayo, hindi ba?"

Pareho kaming tumayo at humarap sa isa't isa. "Thank you for taking care of her, Randolf. Salamat sa pagtanggap sa kanya. Mag-iingat ka sa pupuntahan mo."

"Salamat din, Astra. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ako babalik. Mag-iingat din kayo."

I hugged him. "Take care, Mr. Wenson."

"You, too. Miss Martin."

Humiwalay na si Randolf sa akin. Bumuntonghininga ito bago sa huling pagkakataon ay bumaling sa puntod ni Celeste. Sumilip ang ngiti sa labi nito.

"So... goodbye?" he chuckled.

I nodded. "Until again..."

Mukhang tapos na rin itong makapagpaalam sa iba kaya dumiretso na ito sa nakaparadang sasakyan. Humarap siya sa amin at nakangiting kumaway bago pumasok sa loob.