(You can play the song above if you want extra feels.)
Chiara
I roamed my eyes around the perimeter, the room where I am in right now is crowded, lots of people, mostly teenagers.
Nasa akin ang mga mata ng lahat, I can see both anticipation and admiration--- if I guess that one right.
I took a deep breathe first before doing anything, sisiw lang 'to, I can do this.
"I really don't know what to say or where to start. You can probably tell that my hands and knees are shaking nonstop right now so please don't laugh at me." paninimula ko at kakasabi ko lang na huwag nila akong pagtawanan but it seems like I have said something amusing, they all laughed because of my statement!
But that's okay, at least the environment somehow started to feel comfortable for me.
"My name is Chiara Isabel Muhlach and I wrote the book entitled A Love to Remember." wika ko at nagpalakpakan naman ang mga tao dahil dun, some kept on chanting my name, which I find really cute!
"Ang totoo niyan, I don't like reading books, isn't it ironic that I ended up creating one?" ani ko, "But then I don't know how it all happened. All I can remember is that I grab a paper and a pen and then there you go, I wrote a story out of scratch!"
I was feeling down during that day. You know, one of those days where you question God about your main existence and purpose in this world.
Surprisingly, an idea popped inside my mind and just like what I said, I ended up creating a story.
Tuwing nalulungkot ako, nagsusulat ako. Writing is the only way I can escape the cruel truth of reality. Ni minsan, hindi ko inakala na maipublished ang librong sinulat ko.
"It took me almost ten months to finished the whole story, matagal-tagal nga but in the end, it's all worth it." abot tenga ang ngiti ko habang nagkwekwento, "Pinabasa ko kay Kallie ang story ko and for those of you who don't know, she's my best friend. Nakakatampo nga lang at wala siya dito ngayon but that's fine, I understand. So iyon nga, Kallie was the first one who read my story. Nasa tabi niya ako habang binabasa niya ito and I swear, the whole time, she was crying like a baby!"
Kallie was crying nonstop while reading my story. I mean I know, there's a lot of drama but I didn't expect her to cry like that but of course, I'm still very happy kasi napaiyak ko nga siya dahil sa gawa ko-- it's one heck of an achievement!
"Wala akong plano na ipublish ang story ko kasi pakiramdam ko, wala namang magbabasa 'nun, eh. But then Kallie-- being the sneaky little brat that she is, she stole my notebook and with the help of my cousin, Eros, ipinasa nila ito sa isang publishing company. How? I don't know. Connections maybe." nagkibit-balikat ako as I paused for awhile dahil pakiramdan ko, nauubusan na ako ng hangin.
"Basta nagulat na lang ako, isang araw, a staff from the publishing company came to our house, telling me that my book is about to be published... Long story short, that's how everything started, that's how I got here, standing in front of you guys."
I'm not yet done with my speech but some are already applauding. I don't know these people but looking at their faces, I can see nothing but pure bliss. That's makes me happy. So happy.
"My story runs around a girl who often tries to end up her life everytime things doesn't go the way she wanted it to be..."
I grew up with loving parents. My Mom's an actress, my Dad's also an actor. Sa isang pamilya, hindi naman natin maiwasang magkaroon ng problema.
When I was seven, my parents separated. Masyado pa akong bata 'nun to the point na hindi ko na maalala kung bakit sila nag-hiwalay.
I went under my Dad's custody.. I love my Dad but I admit that growing up, it's not easy to not have my mother around everytime I needed her the most.
But when I turned 14, things changed.Nakipagbalikan si Daddy kay Mommy, they tried their best to make things work the second time around, they tried to save their relationship and fortunately, they did..
My life isn't perfect, a lot of conflicts happened and kept on happening but I can still say that I'm lucky to have them as my family.
"I created ALTR as a prevention. Hindi kasi lahat ng bagay, nadadaan sa pagpapakamatay. Don't be silly, killing yourself in order to end your problems isn't always the only option. The world may be chaotic but it is still beautiful. There's a lot more to see, there's a lot more to know."
Inaamin ko, I attempted to kill myself once. Attempted. But then I realized, hiniram ko lang ang buhay kong 'to sa Panginoon, I shouldn't end my life like that..
"If you're feeling worthless, if you're feeling down, always remember that you're not alone. Talk to him, he's always there to listen. He will never let you down." I said, looking up.
"It won't hurt to face your problems. You're so much more than you think you are and if life gives you lemons, better make vodka and show the whole world how the heck you did it. Thank you so much!" everyone stood up, clapping their hands.
Palagi kong iniisip na wala akong kwenta, na isa akong sakit sa ulo but after all, standing in front of this people made me realize that... I'm not.
---
"Maraming salamat sa pagpunta!" magiliw na bati ko sa isang fan na nagpapirma ng libro sa akin. After the panel, sumunod ang kauna-unahan kong booksigning.
It hurts my hand but don't get me wrong, I am not complaining! Otherwise, I'm thankful. Because of these people, I won't be able to experience such thing like this this.
"Ano ba! Lumayo ka nga sa 'kin, bwiset!" mistulang tumaas ang kilay ko when Kallie appeared in front, together with Eros.
"What are you guys doing here?" masungit na tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa.
"Ano bang dapat gawin dito, malamang magpapapirma ng libro." Eros replied at sabay nilang ipinakita ni Kallie sa 'kin ang mga librong dala nila.
"Is that how you treat your fans? Rude!" Kallie commented.
I groaned, "You both said hindi kayo makakapunta."
"Well, we lied. Nandun kaya kami kanina sa panel mo, you even mentioned my name!" sambit ni Kallie, they were there the whole time?
"Tama na ang chika, pirmahan mo na nga lang ito ng makaalis na kami!" reklamo ni Eros, inirapan ko siya as I grab the book from them and signed it.
"Oh," I shortly uttered as I handed them my book after signing it,
"Alam kong naririndi ka ng marinig 'to mula sa 'kin pero proud na proud talaga ako sa lahat ng nakamit mo sa buhay, Chia." Kallie told me.
"Ako rin, couz." parang bakla naman kung magsalita si Eros, he even acted like he's crying!
"Nagtampo ako sa inyo but you two really know how to make me feel better, thank you! Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, wala ako dito ngayon. Thank you talaga! I love you both!" I chirped as I blew kisses towards their direction.
Magsasalita pa sana si Kallie when Eros suddenly pulled her away and I was left stunned when I saw the people standing behind them.
"Surprise, Ate Chiara!!" my little sister, Lhiara yelled. Focus na focus ako kina Kallie at Eros kanina, ni hindi ko man lang namalayan na nandito rin pala sila.
"Yo--you guys are here? A--akala ko ba, hi--hindi kayo makapunta?" I stuttered as I bit my lower lip, trying to hold back my tears.
Daddy grinned at me as he handed me a bouquet of roses, "This day is very special for you, we can't miss this."
"Thank you, Daddy!" tumayo ako as I went to his direction and gave him a big, warm hug. Not to be biased but I grew up being a Daddy's girl, please don't tell my Mama about that.
"Congrats, Ate! I'm so proud of you." pambati naman sa akin ni Mama, bumitaw ako kay Daddy as I hugged her next.
I found comfort while hugging my mother. Iba pa rin talaga ang maiibigay ng mga Ina sa kanilang mga anak, it's something rare and special.
"Congrats, Ate Chiara! We lied when we said we can't come but now, we're here naman eh so please don't make tampo to us!" Lhiara beamed at me, yumuko ako upang magkapantay kami as I touched the tip of her nose.
"Ate Chiara won't make tampo unless, Lhia would give her a kiss and a cuddle!" wika ko, Lhia immediately kissed my cheeks as she hugged me afterwards.
"Why did you lied to me? You guys.. naiyak talaga ako nang sinabi niyong hindi kayo makakarating." I pouted.
"Surprise nga, 'di ba?" Dad answered with sarcasm, oo nga naman.. .
"Ang tanong, na surprise ba siya?" Mama added while chuckling.
Tumango naman ako, "Of course! I'm close to crying when I saw the three of you nga eh, but I stopped myself 'cause that would be embarrassing like a lot of people and cameras are around us right now."
Pinapalibutan kami ng mga tao, thou enough distance is given to give the four of us privacy.
"But you know Ate Chiara, the real surprise is still a surprise." Lhiara said and then winked at me.
My forehead creased in confusion, "Really? May surprise pa?"
"Uhuh, it's for you to find out. Now come on, alis na tayo dahil tapos na rin ang booksigning mo." Daddy said and he's right, tapos na pala ang booksigning ko. They're the last ones..
"Yay aalis na kami!" Lhiara exclaimed at kumapit sa braso ni Daddy, kumapit naman ako sa braso ni Mama at sumandal sa balikat niya.
"Ang galing-galing mo! Mama's so proud of you, Ate." she whispered, "One day, you might become the world's most popular writer but keep in mind that you'll always be my indecisive yet sweet Chiara.."
Lea Salonga's my mother, araw-araw ko siyang nakikita, araw-araw kaming magkasama but being praised by her is different. It's like one of my greatest achievement in life.
Ang swerte-swerte ko talaga!
"Thank you Mama, it means the world to me." I answered, "Now let's go because I'm so excited to see my surprise!"
* END *
Note: Happy 4k votes 😭 That's huge, really, really, really, huge! Hindi ko inakala na aabot tayo sa puntong 'to at dahil iyon sa walang sawang supporta ninyong lahat!
I hope you enjoyed reading this special chapter because this might be the last one but it's okay, there's no room for dwelling-- this story might come to an end but Chiara will always have a special spot in my heart and I know, yours too.
11:11 pm had passed and yet, we're still here. Thank you so much 💛