15 years later
I placed the flowers down and prayed. I sat down beside the place where that person got burried and smiled, looking up at the skies where it's cloudy yet sunny at the same time.
"Kung asaan ka man ngayon, I wish you're happy with the rest. Despite the fact that we used to fight alot for alot of times, it doesn't change the fact that we were friends and you stayed when I needed someone." I looked down once again and smiled, remembering both the good and bad memories I had. "I miss you." Was the last thing I said before I stood up and went to my car.
I sighed. Trying to remove the pain I used to carry. Starting the engine of my Audi, dumiretso ako sa city. I'm currently at the cementary wishing all my regards to that person.
15 years had already passed after that incident. And it changed my whole life. It was terrifying. Day and night it hunted me. But good thing, I have people who I can trust and so therefore, I've moved on.
My phone rang beside me which I connected to my car and so I answered.
"Ma'am, this is Secretary Kim, meron po kayong meeting this 10 o'clock in the morning with CEO Rain Cavalcante and Engr. Jhon Vincent De Castro at Leimore Hut." My secretary said which made me look at the time. It was only 8:30, so I still have time to go shopping.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, ma'am. The adjustments that you have wanted is now settled. Your schedule for this afternoon is now vacant. Is there anything you want me to do, Ma'am?"
"No. That's it for today, Secretary Kim. Thank you for your cooperation and also, please do tell the company to be at Elion Hotel this coming 12 o'clock in the afternoon. Use the company bus."
"Noted, ma'am."
"That's all, Kimendra. See you later."
"See you later too, ma'am."
And there the beeping goes as I ended the call. Turning my car to the left, I went inside to the parking lot – to of course park my car – and went inside to look for Zakira.
I searched high and lows and I'm starting to get frustrated since I couldn't find her, not until someone placed their hands on my eyes. I smiled knowing who it was. "Hi, Zakira." I greeted her.
"Hey, bitch." She said taking off her hands from my eyes.
Hugging her was the first thing I did as soon as I caught sight of her. Releasing from the hug, she slung her arm onto mine. "I've been waiting for this goddamn moment. You're schedule were so full these past few months, ngayon na lang ulit tayo makakapag-bonding." Maktol nito dito na tuwang-tuwa sa narinig.
"Ganun talaga. Responsibilities and that." Walking inside of one a clothing line. Zakira couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Yeah right. Look at me, tamang modeling and being an Ambassador lang." She giggled.
Maya-maya pa ay may yumakap sa kanila. "Michelle!" Tawag ni Jillian dito. "I'm ready for later!" She squealed as she held her hand, jumping up and down.
Zakira groaned and taking away Jillian's hand from mine. "Girl, fuck off. Can't you see we're having our moment? Ngayon na lang kami mag-bo-bonding."
Inirapan naman ni Jillian si Zakira at binalik ang pansin sakin. "Anyway, I'm with Julie and Liam. We're buying stuff for later. Bye!" She bid goodbye and went off.
"That stupid actress. Always clinging on you and Liam." Flipping her hair as I laughed at her retort.
"We're busy with our own lives. Minsan na lang magkita." I defended. As we continued to look for the clothes we needed to wear for the party later that I will be holding.
"Pero matanong kita, why Batanes?" I flinched. Flashbacks came rushing back but I just smiled. "Batanes made me who I am today. It was the place where it had the most impact on my life." I explained.
She just looked at me and didn't ask anymore further questions. Knowing her limits and what used to happen way back in Batanes.
Madami kaming ginawa sa mall. The usual girl bonding that everyone does with their friends. Tama si Zakira. Masyadong tight yung schedule ko these past few months. I'm blaming no one. May bago kasi kaming ilalabas na product. And we need to the drills before officially selling it to the public. I sighed.
When I looked at the clock it was already quarter to 10. I bid goodbye to Zakira who was pouting since sobrang ikli lang daw yung pag-bonding namin. I promised to bond with her soon. Driving my car to Leimore Hut where CEO Selvester Rain Cavalcante and Engr. Jhon Vincent De Castro was.
I quickly went inside the restaurant and said, "Hi, goodmorning. I'm sorry for being late." I apologetically smiled.
Engr. De Castro gave back a smile. "No, you're just in time."
"Goodmorning, Michelle." Rain greeted me and smiled back.
We discussed the details needed. It was really nothing. The work I had with them was fun. Talking and catching up with them felt really light. Not until our time was up. Fixing our things, nauna na si Engr. De Castro leaving the two of us behind. "You'll be with Cali later, right?" I asked but he only shrugged and bid me goodbye.
My phone rang making me shook a little. It was my secretary.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am."
"Good afternoon, Kimendra. Any updates?"
"Yes, ma'am. We're currently on board on the company bus. Going straight to Elion Hotel. A two night and three days vacation."
"Yeah, right. Mauna na kayo. I'll be there." I said and ended the call. Going to our house for me to pack my things up. I told them na mauna na sila sa Batanes at may mga kailangan pa nga akong gawin.
Putting everything in the car. I went and hitted off Batanes. It was still lively as ever. I already changed to my vacation outfit before going to the hotel to place my bags.
Going down to beach, everyone greeted me.
"Happy Birthday, Ma'am Michelle!" Party poppers and confetti's all over the place. I didn't expect this.
"What's up with the party poppers? Akala mo surprise, ako naman 'tong nag-plano ng party ko." I told them as I laugh at that thought. "Kumain na ba kayo? Kain na." I said and saw how everyone ate.
Minutes later as I was arranging the party, a pair of big hands came across my eyes. Smelling in the familiar scent, I took his hands away and hugged him. "Happy birthday, baby." He greeted me and tiptoed to kiss him.
"I love you too, Frei." I said seeing how he giggled at my response.
"Shelle, walang ganyanan. Yung puso ko." He said, laughing at me. Putting his hands to my waist he pulled me closer. "Tanda mo na, 33 years old ka na." He said making me frown.
"Buiset ka." Smacking him a little on his stomach. He laughed once again. "That stupid trip I went to. It was boring and tiring. Dapat nag-stay na lang ako sa Manila to be with you." He cooed.
"Naman? Kikiligin na ba ako niyan?" I teased him making him shrug. "Ikaw, bahala ka." He said.
After being all PDA and lovey-dovey, we went back to where everyone is and the official party started. All of my friends, family and co-workers were there. Splashing on the water. Eating. Singing and drinking. It was a fun scenery.
Night came eventually at nandito kami ni Fraizer naglalakad sa gilid ng tubig. Just like last time. Habang yung iba ay nagpapakasaya dun sa tubig.
With our hands intertwined, walking side by side under the moonlight. It was lovely.
"Michelle," He called for my attention which I responded to by humming. "Did you went to the cementery?" He asked.
I kept walking and looked up at the sky where there are alot of twinkling stars. "Yeah. I visited Xerna and her mom." I told him while smiling.
Ngunit kahit nakangiti ako ay halata ang pagaalala sa mukha niya that's why I stopped and hugged him tight while looking at his face. "What's with the long face?" I asked.
He sighed. "I'm just worried for you. After all, you need to go to alot of stuff back then." That smile faded when I heard him say that. I looked at his eyes looking for answers.
"15 years." Sabi ko. "15 years na ang nakalipas. It wasn't easy for me but without you. I wouldn't pass that." I smiled, releasing from the hug and started walking again.
"That time, I needed to see a therapist for the trauma it caused to me. The flashbacks and dreams I'd usually get during at night. It was hard."
"Michelle, you don't need to—"
"I want to tell you kasi I've finally accepted and had let it go." I looked at him and smiled sweetly. "Okay?" I reassured.
"That time nung nabaril ka. I was going crazy. You were swimming on your own blood. I didn't know what to do. Akala ko mawawala ka sakin after nun. Liligawan mo pa ako." I teased once again to ease the atmosphere around us.
"Then Xerna's mom came. Shielding me from the coming bullet."
"Xerna had it rough."
"Yeah. Tas seeing how her mom was crying and saying sorry. It broke our hearts and Xerna's. Seeing how she killed her own mother. She..."
"She killed herself too."
And there silence came down on us. I huffed a breath. "But it's okay. It's all over now. They're happy and we're happy."
"Happily married?" He asked while grinning making me laugh.
"Yeah, happily married." Taking my left hand where the ring sat and kissed it before kissing me on the lips under the moonlight with a thousand of stars.
He released from me. "After that, you've surely messed up the caste system."
"Oh, I surely did. Everyone was shock. They were even too embarassed to continue the stupid caste system going around the school."
"Yeah."
As we were having our moment, may batang nakasagi sa akin kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Frei, where's our kid? Asan si Maze?"
"Oh, well." He then started scratching his neck while laughing nervously not looking at me at the eye.
"Don't tell me–!" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata habanh hinampas ito sa may dibdib.
"Yeah. Na kay na Aljon at Eliot siya, along with his lolo and lola's." He smiled at me bago ko pingutin ang tenga. After seeing how he wince in pain I stopped.
"Ewan ko sayo." I blurted out a laugh before engaging on a kiss once again
"I love you." Fraizer said and I clung my hands over to his nape and responded,
"I love you too."
And that my friends is how I messed up the stupid caste system. How it kinda ruined my life. Life is indeed is full of surprises. May it hold the truth or some secrets that shouldn't be said. Malaman mo man or hindi, whatever happens, you should be ready.
After all, your life is a game for you to enjoy and play.
THE END.