Kabanata 46

Kabanata 46

Hope

Lahat tayo takot sa kamatayan. Takot na iwan ang mga mahal natin sa buhay. Takot na masaktan sila. I was too, afraid of death. Hindi pa ako handa, dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na marami akong iiwan. Marami akong masasaktan. And it will leave marks on their hearts, lalo na kay Kuya at Anzo.

I remembered one time when I asked Mama about death. It was weeks after my Abuelo passed away.

"Mama, is Abuelo in heaven now?"

Ginawaran ako ni Mama ng isang malungkot na ngiti saka tumingin sa malawak na kalangitan.

"Yes. He's in heaven now," si Mama sa maliit na boses, still looking at the blue clouds.

My forehead creased when I saw her reaction, para bang maraming iniisip.

Nagluluksa pa rin kami hanggang ngayon dahil sa pagkamatay ni Abuelo.

I bit my lips, and leaned closer to hug her. She breathed heavily and kissed my temple.

"I'm okay, sweetheart. Mama's okay."

No. You're not okay, Mama. I can feel it. You're not okay.

We're here in the large flower garden in Taiwan. Zhong