Shei's POV
"Last one! Fiercer! Perfect!"
Sa wakas ay natapos na ang photoshoot para sa next launching ng Avia. I am now the ambassadress of the company and I'm proud to say that I have it through my hardship.
I know that he's also proud of me.
Three days from now, I will fly to France for my recognition as the Avia ambassadress not just here in the Philippines but to all the Avia branches all over the world.
"Congratulations, anak!" bati sa akin ni Mommy na ginantihan ko ng simpleng ngiti at pasasalamat.
"Naku! Ang galing galing talaga ng alaga ko. Manang-mana talaga..." Tumingin siya kay Mommy. "Siyempre sa akin, ako ang may alaga."
Nagtawanan kami dahil sa pagbibiro ni Tita Lily. She always knew how to enlighten the mood. I can't help but to smile while looking at them. I'm so lucky to have the both of them with me.
"Tara na sa bahay. Let's celebrate dahil baka hindi na tayo makapag-celebrate 'pag pumunta ka na ng France."
"Ah Mommy, mauna na po kayo." Ngumiti ako. Siguro ay nakuha na niya ang ibig kong sabihin kaya naman tumango na siya.
"Sige, huwag kang magpapagabi huh? Hahanapin ka ng mga bisita."
"Opo, ingat po kayo."
Sumakay na ako sa kotse ko matapos umalis ang kotseng lulan nila mommy. Mabuti nalang at hindi gaanong mabigat ang daloy ng trapiko kaya maaga akong nakarating sa pupuntahan ko.
"Dad..." sambit ko nang maitulos ko na ang kandila sa ibabaw ng lapida niya at maiayos ang mga bulalak na dala ko.
"Baka matagalan po akong dumalaw dito sa inyo." Tumingala ako para mahinto ang mga luhang nagbabadyang tumakas sa mga mata ko.
"Dad, natutupad ko na po iyong mga pangarap ko. I know that you don't know all of my dreams but I want to tell you that since the day that I accepted you again, you and Sheen are also included with my dreams. Huwag kayong mag-alala, Dad, gagawa ako ng paraan para mabisita ang puntod niyo kahit gaano pa ako ka-busy pagbalik ko. Kaya huwag kang magtatampo, Dad," I joked.
Tumayo na ako saka pinagpag ang pang-upo. "I miss you, Dad. I'll be back after I chased one of my dreams."
Ilang metro lang ang layo sa akin ng natatanaw kong lalaking nakatayo sa harap ng pamilyar na puntod. Doon ko rin naman balak pumunta kaya nagsimula na akong lumapit.
His familiar scent almost envelope the entire surrounding even its an open area. He's wearing his usual black leather jacket and denim jeans get up. His features was changed, his muscles are now more defined and attractive. Features that even his clothes can't hide.
"I knew it, you'll come here," he said without even giving me a single glance.
"Lagi naman akong nandito." Umupo ako para magsindi rin ng kandila at ilapag ang bungkos ng puting bulaklak. Inalis ko rin ang ilang dahong nakakalat sa ibabaw ng pangalan niya.
~•Kairo Lee•~
Born: February 16, 20XX
Died: July 17, 20XX
Agad kong pinalis ang butil ng luhang tumakas sa mata ko. I still can't believe that he left me.
My life became a mess since the day he died in my arms. I lose too much weight and confined for days. I am so wasted that time but I saw how I affected the person who are still with me. Claw also makes me realize how disappointed Kai will be if I continue this way. And so I fixed my life even with missing shattered pieces.
Minabuti ni Mommy na ipasok sa isang mental institution si Sheen nang ma-diagnose siyang may sakit sa pag-iisip. Her experience of killing someone way back when she's not with us yet triggered her condition. She started to being obsessive and killing became her way to get something she eagerly wanted to have.
Because of her mental condition, bumaba ang parusang ipinataw sa kaniya dahil sa pagpatay kay Kai na pagbabayaran niya paglabas niya sa mental hospital.
"I know that he's so proud of you." Inilapat saglit ni Claw ang kamay niya sa balikat ko na parang naging senyales para tumayo ako.
"I'm sure he is. Lagi siyang proud sa akin. Dati nga, mas mukha pa siyang masaya sa tuwing may achievement ako."
"My brother really loves you and so do I." I saw pain fastly crossed his eyes.
"Claw—"
"I know. I can't replace him anymore and I learned not to. Years have passed but you're still into him, that's...just unbreakable."
"I'm sorry for hurting you."
"No, don't be sorry. I chose to be hurt because my heart chose to beat for you."
Dalawang taon na rin ang nakalipas simula ng insidenteng iyon. Two years ago, something precious was taken away from me, two lives has left me.
At sa nakalipas na mga taong iyon, hindi umalis sa tabi ko si Claw. Sinubukan niyang gawin iyong mga bagay na dating ginagawa ni Kai. He respected me as well as his brother but he still wants to prove his intention to me. Hinayaan ko siya. Sumubok din ako pero sa tuwing titingin ako sa kanya, si Kai ang nakikita ko. Sa tingin ko, si Kai lang yata mula umpisa hanggang sa huli.
Tumingin ako sa relo ko. "'Di ka pa ba aalis? Anong oras na, iyong promise mo."
"Yeah, I forgot."
"Go now. I'm assuring you, she's really a great catch. Pili ko yan!"
Nakangiti akong tinatanaw siyang umalis. Sa wakas, napapayag ko na rin siya. Before I finally go to France, I asked him a favor. I asked him to find his happiness and let other girl replace me. Kayla, one of my co-model, is a great shot. I know, he'll soon find someone worthy of his efforts. Someone who can reciprocate his feeling that I can't.
Ngayong napag-isa na ulit ako, pakiramdam ko unti-unti na namang bumibigat ang dibdib ko. Anumang oras, alam kong babagsak na naman ang mga luha ko.
"Kai, ito na yung big break ko. Sabi ko naman kasi sa 'yo kaya ko 'to eh. Ikaw lang naman yung madaya na nang-iiwan. Akala ko ba ikaw ang magiging best photographer ko habang rumarampa ako sa stage? Tapos iiwan mo lang pala ako. Ikaw ang unang bibili at magpapapirma sa akin ng first covered magazine ko kaya lang sold out na."
Sinubukan kong ngumiti, tumawa, pero nauwi lang iyon sa paghikbi.
"Nakikita mo ba ako ngayon, Gori ko? Hindi ka ba naaawa sa akin? Please, come back. I'll always wait for you."
"I love you, Kairo Lee!" pagsigaw ko. Wala na akong pakialam kung may makarinig man sa akin at pagkamalan akong baliw.
I won't be ashamed screaming how I deeply, madly, and crazily in love with the owner of that name.
The destiny is indeed the most playful creature in this lifetime. I'm sure with that. I gave up everything including him with my twin who I didn't thought would try to take them away from me. When the time comes that I will be able to get him back, he was stolen again from me.
Well, in this game, I realized that looks can be really deceiving. Who would thought that my sister was able to copy me? I thought, in this game of identity, I will lose the chance to make Kai know who I really am, that I'm the real Shei.
Yes, eyes can be blinded but heart will always recognize its owner. And that's how I won in the game of identity.
The end...