It's already past midnight and yet I'm still here, to the place close to my heart.
We used to go on this peaceful place before.
Cuddles. Kisses. Laughter. Sweetness. Everything.
Despite of those painful memories, my feet always bring me here.
00:30
00:35
00:40
00:45
00:50
00:55
01:05
I watched the time.
The clock tick at exactly 1:07
'Code blue. Room 109'
I heard from the telecom as I pass by the nurse's station.
'No. It can't be.' I said to myself
I rushed to her room.
My heart is pounding fast.
'Time of death, 1:07 A.M'
My eyes become blurry as the nurses rush to her.
'No!'
I cried.
I entered her room and try to wake her up.
This can't.
If this is a dream, please wake me up.
"Ate, please wake up. Please don't leave me. Please." I cried harder
She the only thing left on me.
"I'm so sorry Ms. Gerong. We did our best"
No one is here. Its just her and me.
No one is willing to help us.
It was the same scenario 10 years ago.
I was back onto my senses when the hospital staff wave her hand.
"Sorry, Mam" she apologized
"It's okay."
"Uhmn, we need you to sign this waiver po."
My hands we're shaking. Hindi ko pa kaya. Ayaw kong pirmahan yung waiver na magbibigay karapatan sakanila na galawin yung katawan ni Ate. Ayaw ko pa. I'm still hoping for a miracle.
"Mam?"
Labag man sa kalooban ko, I signed it.
It was my graduation day. Mom, Dad and Ate are there. I can see through their eyes how proud they are.
Its now my turn. Ako naman yung magtatguyod sakanila. Its payback time.
"Angela Silvestre y Gerong, Cum Laude"
I stand from my seat, waited for them to come near me.
Si mama ang kasama ko na kumuha ng diploma.
Natapos na ang seremonya. Nagsisiuwian na ang iba kong mga kamag-aral. Ang iba nama'y piniling kumain sa labas para magdiwang. Natapos namin ang labing anim na taon.
Before we leave the premises of PICC, we first took our nth family picture.
Napili naming kumain muna sa isang restaurant. Medyo puno na rin sa ibang mga resto kasi marami ang piniling kumain sa labas. Lahat ay masaya.
Masaya kami nang mga oras na iyon. We exchanged stories, ano ang mga nangyari noong mga nakaraang araw. Natigil ang ang pag-uusap nang magkaroon ng komosyon.
At first, we didn't mind it and continue with our business.
Nagising na lamang ako na nakahiga ako sa sahig. Umuusok ang paligid. At tuluyan na akong nawalan ng malay.
Masakit pa rin hanggang ngayon, wala na sila mom and dada. Now, si ate ang kinuha nila.
I questioned Him. Why me? Of all people bakit ako lagi yung kinuhuhaan? Anong kasalanan ko? I turned my back on Him. Nawalan na ako nang pag-asa.
But then, I realized it was His challenge to me. He was challenging my faith.
Trials are just there. Hindi natin alam kung kelan sila darating. Malapit ka man tayo sakanya o malayo, He was testing your faith unto Him.
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