1 Prologue 0
"When will you come back Ate?"
On the edge of the bed, where sat a woman with medium black hair, that almost cannot be seen by the light of the lamp and fragments that glitter on the cloudless skies. Her eyes glow tinted blue, corners of her lips lifted upward. Patting her 6 year old little sister's blonde hair and cotton candy eyes that is genetically taken by their mother. Is filled with a sprinkle of sorrow.
"I'm not sure when I'll come back, or when will I come back. Though…" She slowly slides her slim hands to her black pajama right pocket, and she takes out a gold chain necklace that leads to a small silver heart.
She locks the golden chain around the neck to the child.
"I can't promise you that I'll be safe and sound with no bruises, but I've promised to you that I won't die, that your big strong sister will come back to her beautiful little princess-" Droplets falling on her chubby baby cheeks, unable to contain them in. She starts sneezing uncontrollably quiet.
"-But if you wear this, Ate will always be by your side even when I'm not there. Come on, no need to cry anymore..."
The taller woman wraps her arms around her sister's small body, reassuring her with a low sweet voice and pats her back gently.
"Promise." said in a sad whisper, hanging her little head in her sister's chest. Hoping she'll stay here a bit longer, however that can't be granted.
"I promise." She kisses the top of her head.
Lulling her sister a lullaby.
The two slept together, while the little one clings to her big sister close.
Afraid to let go, cuddling each other the whole night.
Marga Fatima, a Filipino 25 years old woman who was assigned to join the military service as a frontliner. Leaving her youngest sister and looking back at her is even extremely painful as she drops huge tears down in her small frame, Marga's middle brother, Steven Fatima. Tries to console his sister's cries, while looking at his elder sister, eyes held with fear and sadness.
Behind them are Marga's parents with the same grieving faces like their son. Her mother approached Marga. She griply hugged her elder daughter. "Be careful…" saying it in a low sad tone, Marga patted her back in a gentle manner, letting out her Mother's tears. Her father holds her daughter Shoulder, "Take care of yourself out there."
"I will Dad."
Military vehicle pulled up in front of their home, taking her bag and ready to take the ride. She felt a tug in her leg, looking down to see Rose.
"Don't go! Please!" She begged.
"But I have to, I'm doing this for the family and for you too." she reasoned to her.
"Please-" Steven stopped rose. "Ate has to go." She doesn't listen, "No!" Tries to run to her big sister. However her brother prevented her from running.
"Ate! Ate! Ate!" Repeating the words, none stop and wiggling out to escape from her brother's arms. but Marga hopped into the vehicle, trying to avoid looking behind. Guilt almost rises, hearing the engine starting. their gloomy blue faces are getting smaller, as the vehicle drives farther away from them.
Marga weakly blink, feeling the pressure
through her eyelids. Taking the same pattern of breathing, focusing on the grey sky.
A heavy storm washing down on the bloodied field. bodies of soldiers that are laying down died or someone is lucky enough to be alive a bit. Marga is still in slight conscious, holding up all the strength that she held to cover up the wounded hole located in her abdomen.
No one in sight is going to save her in the minutes of losing blood.
She began coughing, feeling something liquid came out in her mouth.
Eyes hazy, slowly losing focus.
Damnit! Come on Marga you can't die now! Rose is waiting for me at home, and I can't leave her here without me. My family needs me!
She shakily stood up, limping side to side.
her vision is starting to worsen, and blood behind her created a trail. However she ignored it, as she continued to walk.
It even became worse as she coughed violently and fell down to the ground.
She looked up to the grey sky again.
God… please… not yet… I still have family to take care… and siblings to watch… please don't take me yet… God please!
As she prayed to the Lord above, suddenly she saw her little sister smiling so brightly like the morning sun. "There's so many Ate!" Rose's eyes shined.
The two are in front of various swimming fishes. Marga chuckled at Rose's amusement, "There are still many more fish to watch, do you wanna see them."
"Yeah!" Throughout the aquarium, they saw many kinds of fish like what her big sister says to her. The two even watch the dolphin show!
"Do you like fish?"
"Yeah, very much."
"I like fish too!" She hugged the stuffed orca that Marga bought her.
"Can we come here again Ate."
"Of course."
"with mommy, daddy, and kuya!"
"okay." Marga giggled.
Holding hands happily.
Marga wants to let out her frustration and regret. She can only let out tears instead, despite the harsh storm present.
Not yet...
She has unfinished things to do here, as an older sibling in the family…
She needs to live…
She coughs violently again, more blood draining inside.
She crawled to the dirt. Not bothering smudging her wound.
Not yet!
Please…
Lord please!
She stands up, but trips to the ground with full impact.
She stubbornly tries to stay alive, her vision is starting to fail her.
Please! Someone!
I don't wanna die yet!
Black dots appearing, breath became unstable.
Not yet!
Her eyelids closing.
Not yet…
Not…
I'm sorry…
Sorry that I can't keep the promise…
I hope you'll…
Be happy…
Please be happy...
I'm so sorry Rose…
Finally she closed her eyes, heart beep stopped.
Body became cold.
Marga died March 16, 20XX
