GOODBYES

CHAPTER 9

MANUEL's P.O.V

The last thing I remembered was slipping out of the hall to go get prepared for the prom party…. Then my breathe failed me and I passed out.

When I opened my eyes, it was just like four months ago, I was on the hospital bed surrounded by most of my classmates who were crying instead of rejoicing for the fact that they were now graduates…but unlike four months ago, I knew I wasn't going to leave this hospital bed…a tear slipped from my eye.

"Manuel" Ji ah called holding my hand, her face moist with tears.

"Ji ah…I'm sorry" I muttered not knowing what I was apologizing for.

"Manuel…." I heard Natasha, then Miguel and soon everyone called my name…their voices were breaking…they knew I was going to die… I knew I was going to die…. I already felt life slipping away from me…the oxygen mask wouldn't save me this time.

"Sing for me Ji ah" I murmured

"No…I can't" Ji ah sobbed

"Please Ji ah….just one last time" I insisted.

Natasha touched Ji ah and made a pleading move for Ji ah so she could sing.

"What song?" Ji ah asked max

"Oceans" I closed my eyes.

KIM JI AH's P.O.V

"Oceans" Manuel said and closed eyes, I sniffed and cleaned my tears with the back of my palm before I began singing.

🎶you call me out upon the waters

The great unknown

Where feet may fail..

And there I find you in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand...…

And I will call upon your name..

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in your embrace for I am yours and you are mine.....🎶

I paused to wipe the stubborn tears which kept rolling down my eyes and then I heard Miguel sing the next verse.

🎶your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fears surround me,

You've never failed and I won't start now….

I joined him…

🎶so I will call upon your name..

And keep my eyes above the waves when oceans rise my soul will rest in your embrace for I am yours and you are mine…..

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wonder and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior🎶

A grave silence took over, I bowed my head and kept my eyes shut until I heard Natasha's shrill voice calling 'Manuel'. I opened my eyes and joined her in shouting while jerking him but no response, I felt a hand pulling me away from Manuel, it was Miguel…I shook myself free and continued calling Manuel….he was already gone… a smile on his face..he died smiling…wailing broke out in the hospital room, I swore my wail was the loudest as I could not be consoled…Miguel, little witch and Troy tried but I simply refused to be consoled.

Manuel's parents who were in the doctor's office heard our wailing and rushed to the ward only to meet their son's corpse. Manuel's mother joined in the wailing…Miguel left me to console her..Manuel's father tried to keep calm but it was visible he was hurting inside.

The Korean doctors came, covered Manuel and whisked him away… I would have rushed at them but my mom broke into tears, claiming her water broke and she had gone into labor.

We hurriedly supported her to the ward for pregnant women..

AUTHOR's P.O.V

Manuel died…without confessing his love for Natasha. They all returned to America with his corpse. The funeral was fixed.

Kim JI AH's mother gave birth to a boy and he was christened Max.

Sung mi and Aundre's wedding was also fixed, three weeks after Manuel's funeral…

Life was going on, dragging slowly on a non stop wheel headed for the unknown.

KIM JI AH's P.O.V

"Stop that" I cautioned my baby brother who was busy making bubbly salivas…he was only a month old but so big and smart one would think he was three. He smiled at me, I chuckled and kissed his head.

"Award for the best baby kisser goes to Kim JI ah" little witch who was seated beside me teased and I laughed.

Today was Manuel's funeral and we were already at the venue as the proceedings were on going. Manuel's parents were at the front seat with Miguel beside them. Extended family members sat behind them while friends and invited guest sat way behind…I was seated with Little witch and Troy.

Mom was behind with some students, Sung mi and Aundre couldn't attend because they had wedding preparations to attend to.

The priest said some prayers and paved way for those who had speech to state before Manuel was laid to rest. Manuel's mom stood up and stepped out. As she spoke,it was evident she was fighting tears from rolling down.

"The birth of my twins was the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me…watching them grow up was filled with awesome memories…I loved them both…but Manuel had something in him that made him so special, everyone could see it, but then the special one became the sick one…..he..he.." she broke down into tears and her husband went up to her to console her.. Miguel stood up and continued from where she stopped.

" my brother Miguel had always been my hero, like my mom said, he was the special one until he fell sick. I hated him then because I had to go through whatever he was going through just so people wouldn't notice he was sick.. we drifted apart.. he became withdrawn and I became the opposite.. with his sickness, he got all the attention from home, so I bullied people to also gain attention….I hated him…but seeing how he struggled each day just to stay alive, I wished to be the dying one.."Miguel pause to wipe his eyes "unfortunately, we can't twist fate… my only regret is that he died thinking I still hate him…I'm sorry Manuel…" he sobbed and ran his fingers on Manuel's casket "I'm really sorry…. I love you"

I bent down and wept….my baby brother cooed in my arms reminding me of his presence, I blinked back my tears and smiled at him…he smiled back… I'm not religious and I certainly don't believe in myths and reincarnation, but I believed…..I strongly believed Manuel had been reborn by my own mom.

"Hey Manuel" I called smiling at the month old infant in my hand….he smiled….he was fond of smiling even though he was still tender.

"Hold him" I said to Little witch and passed the baby to her while I excused myself to make use of a convenience. When I was done, I came out and met Miguel.

"What are you doing here Miguel?" I asked him, looking around to see if anyone was there but I found no one.

"I came for you…Ji ah" he said…his voice still shaky from crying too much…

"You must be out of your mind Miguel….we are at Manuel's funeral…have you no respect for the deceased?" I questioned, practically yelling… I was pissed off, he was going after his late brother's girlfriend.

"For goodness sake Ji ah, Manuel is dead….your feelings for him should too… I let you be for the past months so I wouldn't hurt his feelings but now he is dead Ji ah….dead" Miguel yelled… fear drove through me, I had never seen him that angry.

I made to leave "I have to go"

"I'm sorry Ji ah…." He was suddenly calm now "I do have respect for my deceased brother but that doesn't stop me from professing how I feel.. I love you Ji ah"

Tears welled up my eyes as I recalled Manuel professing those same words to me at the hospital… I fixed my gaze on Miguel, he looked so sincere and I could see he meant what he said.

But I didn't feel right…I sniffed back the tears threatening to spill...I forced a smile and walked away without uttering a word to Miguel…I had nothing to say….

The end??🙂🙂