21

IT had been weeks since Menriz gained consciousness and it was time to go home ngunit ni anino ni Anikka ay hindi niya nakita. Yes, he was still expecting to see her kahit pa nga nakatatak na sa utak niya ang eksena nito at ng ex fiancé nito. O ex pa nga ba? He was not sure anymore.

Walang nababanggit ang Mommy niya tungkol sa babae at hindi niya alam kung kaya niyang marinig ang magiging sagot ng ina sakaling tanungin niya ito tungkol kay Anikka so he stayed quietly waiting for her to come but in vain. And he lost hope eventually. Maybe she was happy with that Andrew, now. And he wants to throw something whenever that thought graces his mind.

"We're here." Sabi ng Mommy niya. "Kaya mo na bang bumaba mag-isa?"

Nakangiting tinanguan niya ang ina pagkatapos ay binuksan ang pinto at bumaba. Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Menriz nang masilayan ang bahay nila. Dapat ay masaya siya dahil sa wakas ay nakauwi na siya ngunit iba ang naramdaman niya. He felt emptiness inside because he sure there won't be an Anikka who would be waiting inside. He felt that sudden ache in his heart. Will he be able to see her again?

"Let's go." Sabi ng ina habang nakaalalay pa rin sa kanya sa pagpasok sa kabahayan. He remembered the event he made for Anikka. Naroon pa kaya iyon sa garden? PEro malamang na ipinalinis na iyon ng Mommy niya. Was she able to see it or was all the preparation wasted?

Tama na, Menriz! She didn't even come to see you! Stop thinking about her.

But was it even possible. To forget her? He has been in love with her for so long. Kahit nang pumunta ito ng ibang bansa ay ito ang nasa isip niya. Posible nga bang makalimutan niya ito?

"Nagpahanda ako ng makakain sa garden. Alam kong doon mo gustong naglalagi kapag may pagkakataon." Sabi ng Mommy niya. Inilapag nito ang mga dala saka siya inalalayan patungo sa garden.

Inihahanda na niya ang sarili sa sakit na maaaring rumagasa sa oras na lumabas siya ng garden. It was the place where he kissed her forehead. Where he said he would be accepting whatever her decision may be. And he was sure as hell he cannot keep it.

He thought he was ready but when the door to the garden opened, he was not sure anymore. Agad na pumailanlang ang isang tugtugin. Kasunod niyon ay isang boses. It was not the perfect singing voice, but it was strangely familiar.

For all those times you stood by me

For all the truth that you made me see

For all the joy you brought to my life

For all the wrong that you made right

For every dream you made come true

For all the love I found in you

I'll be forever thankful baby

You're the one who held me up

Never let me fall

You're the one who saw me through through it all

"Anikka..."