STEVEN'S POV
"Sir, the place is already prepared."
"Thanks. I'll just call you if I need something... You can go now." I said while heading to my car.
"Thank you, Sir." then he left.
I get inside the car then start the engine. I'm going to fetch Amanda on her work today. I made sure everything went on my plan before I left the place.
It's our first anniversary as a couple and I decided to propose to her today. I still can't believe that we worked out this longer. Even if our schedules are complicated, we still have time to see each other.
***Calling...Babe<3***
I immediately answer her call while driving. I know it's dangerous, but who cares.
"Yes, babe?" I asked.
"Babe, sorry but I can't go home with you. I need to finish my assignment today. Don't bother to fetch me, I'll just get a taxi."
What? No, this can't be. I cancelled all my meetings just to prepare for this day. And now, she will tell me she can't go home yet? And worst, she forgot that it's our anniversary? Psh.
I calm myself before I answer.
"Okay... Just call me if you're finished already."
"Yeah, I will. I'm really sorry, babe. I'll make it up to you next time, promise."
"Don't make any promises, they're meant to be―"
"I never break any promises to you. You know that."
she said with sadness in her voice.
"I'm just kidding, babe. Okay, do you have anything else to say?"
"Nothing. Just take care. I love you, Babe."
"I love you, too. Bye." I smiled.
"Wait!"
"What? I'm driving if you don't know."
"Where are you?"
"Supposedly, I'll be there but I think I have to go back." I pouted even if she can't see me.
"Aww... I'm sorry for that. But, it's still okay!" she said cheerfully.
O.o
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Can you buy me a diary book and a bear in the mall?"
Suddenly?
Wait... I think she remembered our day.
Woooh! Maybe she will surprise me. I can't wait see her.
"Why?" I still asked. It's obvious in my voice that I'm excited.
"Just buy those things. I have something to do with them. Please?"
"A'right. You know I can't resist you."
"You can't. Hahaha! Ooh, I almost forgot."
"What is it?"
"You love me, right?" she said lovingly.
"Yeah. I don't need to say that again and again."
"But I want to." she insisted.
"Babe, you know that I'm not fond of that crap." I calmly said.
Yeah, I'm not good at telling things other guys did. Coz I believe action speaks louder than words.
"Just once, please?"
"I won't." I said with superiority.
"Pretty, please?" she pleaded.
"Babe, I'm going to end this call now."
"You really don't love me. I'm already begging for the last time but you didn't say it. You're such a stubborn prince. Huhu!" she cried jokingly.
"You're such a baby. That's why I love―"
#SCREEEECH!#
Geez. I almost bumped with another car but I immediately turned to another direction.
"Babe, what happened?" she asked horridly.
"U-Uh. Nothing." I then focus my eyes on the road.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Haay... I thought something happened to you."
"I'm okay. Anyways, I thought you're going finish your assignment?"
"Yeah."
"Then, why are you still calling me?" I drove going to MOA.
"It's my break time. I'll be back hmm... 5 minutes now."
"Okay. Do you want anything to buy?"
"Will you buy me a heart-shaped pillow?"
"What? I mean why?"
"Because I said so."
"Oh-kay... That's all?"
"Yeah... Babe, I have to go. My break is almost finished. See ya latei. Bye, I love y―!"
#TOOT! TOOT!#
Arrggh! My phone is empty.
I hurriedly went inside the mall and headed to Nat'l Bookstore to buy a diary.
I just picked a pink one coz it's her favorite and went to the counter.
I then entered Blue Magic to buy bear and pillow.
Search. Search. Search.
But I couldn't find the best bear in the store so I just dragged a small red one bear and a heart-shaped pillow saying 'Happy Anniversary'.
I smiled. I'm sure she will definitely love this.
I decided to buy a new phone and then went to the place I reserved.
6:30 pm.
Still no text or call coming from her.
I tried to contact her but she's out of coverage.
I began to feel anxiety. I don't wanna think something had happened.
I called and texted her again and again. But still no response.
"Sir, it's almost 8. Do you still want to continue this?" the organized asked.
"Yes, I will. Let's just wait for a moment." I said calmly. But the truth, I know I'm not ok, definitely not.
I stared at the place.
There's a table for two on the top of the hill which overviewed the whole city. Lots of candles and petals are scattered around the place. Pictures of us are hanging in the trees. Those happy moments we had.
If ever somebody will pass here, they would say it's really romantic.
But it would be more romantic if there are two people enjoying the place.
Gaahd! I don't wanna cry. It's a gay thing. But I can't help myself.
My thoughts were cut by the sudden vibration of my phone.
I immediately took it from my pocket and checked who's calling.
***Calling...Babe<3***
I smiled brightly when I see it on the screen.
"Babe?" I asked immediately.
"Hello po?" someone asked.
I was astonished to hear another on the other line.
I checked again if I was wrong but I'm not.
"Who are you?" I said angrily.
I can't recognize his voice. I'm sure I didn't meet him from Amanda's acquaintances.
"Sir, kaano-ano po kayo ni Ms. Reyes?" he asked.
I know a little Filipino language so understand him.
"She's my girlfriend. Where is she?"
"Sir, she's now in the hospital. She's in a critical condition after she was accidentally shot by the holdappers."
I felt my whole body was trembling.
No...this can't be happening.
I asked the name of the hospital and drove hurriedly.
When I arrived, I immediately inquired from the front desk.
"What room is Ms. Amanda Reyes?"
"Wait for a moment, Sir."
I waited. Random things enter in my mind. All the possibilities that would happen.
"Sir, I'm sorry but you can't go inside."
"Why?"
"She's now in the operating room. But you can wait outside."
O_O
Operating Room?
"Thanks."
I ran going to OR. When I got there, her parents was already there.
"T-Tita..." I stammered.
"Son..." she then hugged me tightly when she saw me.
"Is she okay?"
She released me.
"We don't know. She's still in the midst of operation. Let's just pray that she can survive." she started crying.
"But she'll be fine, right?" Tears are now shedding in my cheeks.
"Yes, she'll be fine. Don't lose hope, son." she hugged me again.
We stayed there for an hour. They told me what happened in the bank.
Some holdappers were trying to get all the money inside but one of the guards interrupted which led him to die and accidentally shot one of the employees...which is Amanda.
The door suddenly opens and a man wearing all-white outfit went outside.
We stood up and approached the doctor.
"Doc, how's my daughter?" Mr. Reyes asked.
"We did our best to keep her―"
"Just get to the point!" I scowled.
"Son, calm down."
"I'm sorry but the patient didn't make it." then he left us.
Please tell I'm just dreaming. Everything I've heard was part of my imagination.
Mrs. Reyes suddenly collapsed living still dumbfounded about the news.
Mr. Reyes immediately took her to the nurses to check her condition.
I was there outside the OR still unmoving.
Happy moments flash into my mind. Those days we promised that we'll not leave each other. Our plans for our future. Our anniversary. My proposal.
All was ruined suddenly. My almost perfect life is now incomplete.
I want to scream out loud. I want to blame HIM for making these things happened.
Have I done something wrong that I need to experience this? Am I not worth to be happy?
I want to die. There's no need to continue living if the one you love is already gone. My life is nothing without her now.