ANG BABAENG HINDI DAPAT BINITAWAN
Habang pinagmamasdan ni Mariel ang locket sa mesa, pumasok si Billie, may dalang dalawang tasa ng kape.
“Black for you, no sugar — just like old times.”
“You remember?”
“I remember everything that matters.”
“Even the pain?”
“Especially that. It reminds me that I’m still alive.”
Lumapit siya, marahan.
Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ni Mariel, habang pinagmamasdan ang liwanag ng araw na tumatama sa buhok nito.
“You know, after everything… you’re still the only pulse I hear when the world goes silent.”