Endless shouts, giggles, and laughter are everywhere. That morning in the park was vibrant for sure. Kids ran back and forth, unmindful of the dirt and dust, and sunlit surroundings. Faces already covered with sweat, but they seemed not to care. Those youngsters, as if they don't get tired at all. It was the normal scene in the park whenever he walks for exercise with his dog Snowy.
He sat on a bench underneath a tree to rest his tired feet and let Snow play with the other dogs. While enjoying the cool air, something caught his attention. A group of teenagers were having fun, right across from where he was sitting.
I just watched the teenagers and observed what they do. He just observed what the teenagers were doing. By the look of it, it seemed that one of the boys has a crush on one of the girls in the group. He could hear them teasing the boy and one of the girls was blushing so hard as if she was wishing for the ground underneath to swallow her whole. Seeing this scenario brought back a scene from the past which he cherished so much. A memory he would keep till the day he dies.
Flashback
"Snow listen to me. See that girl?" He pointed to the girl seated on the bench chatting with the nanny. The dog looked where he pointed his finger.
"Go there. Then bark at her, " he commanded the dog. Snow looked at him as if wondering before it went to the direction where the girl was sitting. He was smiling to himself while looking at his dog making its progress. A smart dog.
His sight was locked on her. A stunner. A face worthy to be a model of an expensive painting. Even people passing by seemed to steal glances to catch a glimpse of a lovely sight.
When the girl looked where he was, his heart raced a thousand miles. He shook his head.
Having seen that his dog did what he instructed, barking at the poor girl, now this was his cue. It was the perfect time to make a move. As he was walking towards the girl, he can't help himself and smile. The girl was kind of amused with the barking dog, but at the same time, she looked a bit frightened.
"Here boy! Here!" he called Snow. He walked straight towards the dog and patted him on the head. Now, he caught the girl's attention.
"It is yours? " the girl asked with a smile while looking at him. "It's so cute."
Snow wagged its tail while barking at the girl. The girl then brushed the dog's fur with her hand.
From that moment, they have been talking, smiling, laughing at each other jokes, till it was time for the girl to go. She waved goodbye as she walked away. He suddenly tapped his forehead with his palm when he realized that he forgot to ask the girl's name.
"There's always a next time. I'm going to ask her straight away the moment we'll see each other again." He was so eager for them to meet again. As he called Snow for them to go home, he kept smiling to himself when he remembered the jokes they shared. The girl's face was lingering in his mind.
As the days went by, he didn't see the girl at the park. He had been a regular and had been staying a bit longer at the park, hoping for the girl to show up but to no avail.
One day, while he was walking along the park's pathway, he saw the girl's nanny. He didn't waste any time and approached the nanny to ask about the girl's whereabouts.
"She is not here. They are having a vacation. They went to the USA," nanny answered.
"Oh, that's why I didn't see her again here at the park. Well, thanks anyway. I'll go ahead" he turned and walked away.
A few weeks later, he saw the girl at the park. He approached her and smiled while Snow kept on barking at the girl in recognition. The dog looked also happy seeing her. They exchanged pleasantries and conversations and after a while, they bid goodbye to each other. He realized that he forgot to ask her name again.
Damn! I think I have a memory gap when it comes to her. It is now so obvious that I liked her so much," he murmured to himself. He had been exerting so much effort roaming around at the subdivision in search of the girl's house to know where she lives, but still could not locate her.
One day, they met again. He stopped beating around the bush and asked her name before his memory gap struck again.
"Hello. How are you? We have been talking twice already but I still don't know your name. By the way, I'm Lenard and you are?"
"I'm Kate," she smiled as she shook his hands. After that, they chat for a while then exchanged mobile numbers. They became text mates and once in a while, called each other. Lenard invited Kate to meet him at the park one Saturday to which Kate agreed.
On a bright Saturday morning, they met at the park. Lenard prepared the food for their simple picnic. The picnic basket smelled like strawberries when he started to bring out the contents of it. After they eat, he called her.
"Kate! I have a surprise for you. Tadah!" He showed his guitar. She smiled at him.
"Oh, you know how to used that one or maybe it's just a dummy." She acted as if she was trying to make fun of him.
He just smiled and sat beside her. He strummed the strings and started singing.
Is it ok if I call you mine just for a time? And I will be just fine...
If I know that you know that I'm wanting, needing your love...
While he was singing, he looked straight into her eyes. kate doesn't know what she feels, when Lenard staring her, her cheeks feel hot.
Some people in the park stopped for a while and listened. A group of teenage girls giggled while observing. Lenard finished singing, then he faced her to express his feelings.
"Kate, I know you will not believe me, but I want to express what I feel. I know you will say that maybe I'm crazy. But this is real. I don't know when or where it started. I just felt it in my heart. Your laugh, your stares, how you make random conversations with Snow... I'm in love with you, Kate."
Kate looked at him. She blinked her eyes consecutively as if checking that what was happening was real. No words came out of her mouth. It seemed that she didn't know what to do.
"I-I don't know what to say, Lenard. I'm still in awe. I hope you will understand," she said.
Lenard smiled at her. "It's okay Kate. I'll wait when you are ready. Just please don't make me stop expressing my feelings."
Kate and Lenard remained friends. Kate said that she couldn't commit to having a relationship. Until one day, Lenard wondered why Kate didn't show up at the park. He sent text messages to her asking why she was not going to the park anymore.
Kate replied to the messages of Lenard, that she was busy for some reason. That was why she couldn't go. Kate seldom replied until she didn't reply at all anymore. He was worried and lonely 'cause he wanted to be with her. He loves her so much. He didn't want to lost hope for his love.
Three months after, Lenard received a text from kate.
Hi! Can we meet the day after tomorrow, where we used to stay at the park, If it's okay that day you will be mine, just only that day? After we're not. Hope you will be there. I'll be there by eight sharp in the morning. –Kate
When Lenard read the message, he jumped out of happiness. He rattled. He didn't know what to do.
"Lenard, think. Think." He was pointing his forehead while he was murmuring. He decided to write a to-do list and planned carefully the things that they will do. Step by step, so that Kate will never forget that day. That will be the only day for them to go out as lovers.
The day came. Before eight, he was already at the park. At exactly eight in the morning, he saw her walked towards him. She smiled at him.
"Hi! Am I late?" Kate said.
"No, you're just in time," he answered.
"Kate," the nanny called her, "Just take good care, okay." Kate nodded to her. "Lenard, please take good care of Kate and enjoy you two," the nanny said.
He held her hand. "Let's go," he said. Kate responded with a smile.
Lenard took Kate to another park and when she saw it, she clapped her hands out of joy. Lenard brought her to an amusement park.
They were so happy riding all the rides. Kate looked so happy. They did what they wanted to do. They laughed like there was no tomorrow. He treated her like a princess.
"Lenard, you made me so happy today. I'll never forget this until the end of time," Kate said.
He smiled. "Come!", he held her hand again and they left the park. Lenard brought her to another place. It was already dusk when they reached the place. He laid a cloth on the ground and let her sat on it.
He got his guitar and strummed the strings. He has begun to sing a song.
Kate smiled at him. "You are gifted Lenard. You have a wonderful voice," she smiled at him.
After he sang, he checked his watch. "Oh, it's time. Look above."
Kate looked up. Bomb-like sounds were heard. Fireworks lit up the dark sky. Kate's face brightened up.
"You are so beautiful Kate. You are more beautiful than that," he assured, 'cause Kate said that the fireworks were beautiful. While the fireworks were popping up, Lenard held Kate's hands and put something. It was a bracelet that adorned her wrist perfectly.
"A remembrance so that you will not forget this day. That we are together, even though it is just for a short time. I'm needing and wanting your love but I can't force you to love me now. I'll wait when you are ready." His sight got blurry but managed to hold his tears.
Kate faced him. It seemed that she wanted to say a lot, but her tears were enough to show what she felt.
"I-'m sorry. This is the only thing that I can do with your love." Kate sobbed. He wiped her tears.
"Why? If you love me, why can't it be, Why only this time? Why can't we be together tomorrow or till the coming days, until the end?" He asked.
Kate stood up. "It's time to go back Lenard. They're waiting for me. Let's go now. I'm tired already," she said while wiping her tears.
"I have my reasons why it is only this moment that we can be together. Thank you so much. You made me happy. I will cherish this moment." She kissed his lips just a smack.
"Let's go," she said.
He was bothered about what Kate had said. He tried to understand. They were quiet inside the car until they arrived at the park. They sat on their favorite bench.
"Can I rest my head on your shoulder? I'm tired," Kate said in a tired voice.
Lenard lent his shoulder for her to rest on.
"Kiss me," she said in a low voice. He kissed her with passion until a car stopped behind them.
"They're here. I need to go." She stood up already preparing to go. "I'm so happy to be with you today," she kissed his lips once more and whispered, "I love you too Lenard... but goodbye." Then, she walked away.
Kate's words didn't sink in quickly in Lenard's mind. It was a bit late when he realized that Kate loved him too. He impulsively chased Kate's car. He ran and shouted, "I love you, Kate! So much..." But the car didn't stop, he was left behind.
Weeks passed, there was no news about Kate. He didn't saw her anymore. Once, Lenard saw Kate's nanny. He asked a couple of questions but the nanny only replied, "You cannot see her anymore or be with her."
He didn't know what to do, he wanted to scream and ask why. He felt his knees weakened. It made him kneeled, faced his palms, and cried in silence.
End of Flashback
He is at the park while waiting for Kate's arrival. Kate sent a message telling that they should meet in the park.
He strummed his guitar and sing in a low voice.
"She is right. You have a good voice," someone said. Lenard turned around and see a guy. He has no idea who he is or why he's even talking to him. And who's the 'she' that he is talking about?
"Hi! I'm Kate's brother. I'm Michael. Sorry if she can't be here to meet you like what you two talked about. But I'm here to invite you to our house. Please come, Kate is there."
Lenard wanted to ask why couldn't she go there, instead his brother came. But he shut his mouth and gave out a nod.
"I'll come with you."
When they arrive at the house, Kate's brother brought him to a room.
"This is Kate's room. She said I must bring you here first."
His brows furrowed in confusion. Why see this room and not her first? Kate's brother made an uncomfortable cough. He even diverted his questioning gaze.
"I'll leave you here for a moment and you can look around if you want. I'll be back later." Then he left. Lenard started to look around even though he is wondering. The piles of questions growing in numbers. Layer into layer. Yet unanswered.
He looks around and he notices that the room of Kate is painted in baby pink. The queen-size bed and pillows were also in colors pink and white. He sees the doll collections on the shelves and a big stuffed toy bear.
He saw a picture of Kate smiling so sweet. He touched it, tracing the smile on her beautiful face. He missed her so much. After some time of staring at her picture, like it's not already imprinted in his brain, he went to see the next picture. Only to be surprised.
It's their picture together, smiling like there's no tomorrow. And it's not the only one. There's one where they're in the park sitting side by side; there's one where he was teaching Kate how to learn riding the bicycle; and another picture of her with his dog Snowy. Lenard smiled.
"She is happy. You made her happy. I know that you love my sister so much and for that, I'd like to thank you," said a voice that causes him to look in the direction of the doors. It's not the one who left him earlier. This one is different.
"Hi, I'm the eldest brother of Kate, I'm Angelo. Nice meeting you." He then reached out his hand for a handshake. Lenard accepted it.
"I truly love Kate but why didn't she come like she promised? Why invite me here instead? Where is she by the way? Can I see her now?"
"You'll see her when we get there. So, let's go. She's kind of... ahm... waiting. She also said you will sing her a song when you get there."
They left the house, which brought another frown to his face. She's not in her house? Where is she? Where are they going exactly? But he didn't ask. He fidgeted in his seat. Uncomfortable for the silence of his company. When the car stop in front of a familiar building, Lenard looked at Kate's two brothers in disbelief. Words seemed to be stuck in his throat. No sound came out of his mouth amidst running questions he'd like to ask. His heart beats faster. Opposite to what his brain is painfully screaming at that very moment.
He doesn't know what he feels. He rejects the truth that is being held in front of him. Kate's brother nodded, motioned him to get out of the car. But his feet seemed to be immovable. Like his brain, it doesn't want to face the truth. But the grim-looking brother gave him a sympathetic smile. Like it's all right to be standing in that kind of place when you're looking for someone. Maybe she's visiting someone. Yes. That could be it. The thought made him move and stepped out of the car. They walked slowly and quietly until they reached Kate's location.
"There she is. Go. She's waiting for you," Michael said. The other one patted his shoulder. He'd like to look around. See Kate in one of those black mourning clothes, calming someone, saying soothing words that would render the person into more tears. But there is no Kate.
Kate's brother pointed at a coffin. On top of it is a picture of Kate's smiling beautiful face. Like the one in her room. The casket was adorned with Kate's favorite flowers, pink and white roses.
The sight makes him want to back out. Run. Kate could be at the park right now, waiting for him. Like what they'd agreed. Not like this. He looked back at Kate's brothers. They both gave him a nod, a little smile, encouraging him to move.
"Go. She's waiting for you." Tears already lining up in his eyes, he slowly walked with weakened legs. Each step, an agonizing journey. Each step brings him closer to his fears. When he reached the casket, his tears finally fell. There, inside the coffin, through the glass, he saw Kate's body. Lying.
Eyes shut peacefully. Like she's just sleeping. He couldn't contain his feelings. It was overwhelming. He needs to hold on to something. Anything. He embraced the casket, cursing it for not allowing him to even hug Kate for one last time. The tears fell faster as he cried in silence. His shaking shoulders gave him away though.
"Kate..." he said in a whisper, voice croaked a little. "Kate..."
Angelo tap Lenard's back. "Stop crying. Kate won't like it. So please don't let her see you like this." Angelo smiled. Another reassuring one like Kate always gave.
"Why don't you strum your strings and she will be glad that she will hear your voice," Kate's brother said.
"By the way, she has you this. She said this is your dream guitar. She bought this for you. You will use it now and sing a song and you knew already what's her favorite song," Angelo said.
He stands in front of the coffin and started strumming the strings and start singing. He sing their favorite song. People inside the room listened. Parents and the siblings of Kate cried in silence. Lenard finishes his song. He seat on a bench in front of the coffin while Michael explains why Kate does it.
"She doesn't want that you will be worried because of her illness. Kate has chronic leukemia."
After the brother explain why Kate did all those things, he gave a card to Lenard. It is from Kate. He slowly open the card with cramming hands and read with teary eyes.
To my only love Lenard,
Hoping that you'll like my gift. I knew how much you wanted this. Now that you have it, treasure it, my love. This guitar symbolizes my love for you.
EVERY TIME YOU STRUM THE STRINGS OF THE GUITAR, I FEEL THE LOVE YOU FELT FOR ME.
EVERY STRUM OF THE STRINGS, IS THE LOVE I FELT FOR YOU.
EVERY STRUM OF THE STRINGS, WE FEEL THE LOVE OF EACH OTHER.
I LOVE YOU LENARD.
I don't want to say I love you forever 'cause forever is not enough for me to love. My love for you is endless.
- Kate-
Lenard gripped the guitar and embraced it. I LOVE YOU, KATE. Till we meet again.
-end-