Since You've Been Gone Novels & Stories

"You leaving was the best choice. Naisip ko lang na sobrang toxic na ng lahat. You went through a lot because of me." "It wasn't your fault." "When I came here to see you on the first time and told me to stay away, doon lang pumasok sa isip ko na hindi ko pa puwedeng makuha ang mag-ina pero nangako ako sa sarili ko na kapag maayos na ang lahat kukunin ko kayo uli." "Why didn't you return?" "Madaming nangyari, Jez paguwi ko. I needed to sort them out first before I finally come for you."

Wala na ang mapaglarong ngisi na palaging nakapaskil sa labi nito noon. Wala na ang kislap sa palaban nitong mga mata. Ang malambing ngunit nakakaasar nitong boses ay naging malamig na rin. Ang mukha na palaging may iba't ibang emosyon ay hindi na makikitaan ngayon. She changed. Zeri looked lifeless. "It's been three years since you disappeared. Without a word, without telling your family kung saan ka pupunta." Sambit niya

natatawa ko naman na sinabi dito. "You've been gone for more than a month at hindi naman agad sinabi ng Ate Mel mo na nandito ka pala, I been worried sick because I thought something bad happened." mas lalo tuloy akong naguilty sa nakikita kong pag-aalala sa guwapo nitong mukha.

Happy memories was filled with darkness, laughter was replaced by suffering and the smile was replaced by strange sadness. "T-Theo, don't stay away please. Don't leave me, I need you. I can't fight if you're not by my side. I beg you my love. Don't be like this. You said, you will stay by my side and you will not walk away from me like the others. But what happened? Why did you stay away from me? Why did you leave me? Why --- When I already love you, when I already believe in you, when I'm used to your presence then you just leave me and stay away as if nothing happened? You even broke your promise. Why Theo? W-Why? Why!"

Tumahimik na lang ako at hindi iyon pinansin bago inaya sila na kumain. I don't know what has been happening with these two after being absent for three years but I hope this will get better this time.

"Marami na ang nagbago sa akin. You don't know me the same way that you used to." "You’re right. I don’t know you anymore because you chose to stay away from us, Aldrick. Pinili mo na layuan kami at naiintindihan ko iyon. Marami akong kasalanan sa’yo pero hindi iyon sapat na dahilan para gawin mo ito sa sarili mo. You’re better than this."

Umandar naman yung pagkamaldita ko dahil sa tanong na yun. "Hhmm... I am not oblige to say my whereabouts. And specially, nothing cares if I will be gone." Saad ko naman rito at biglang napalingon na lang ako kay Cayden dahil sa kadiliman ng mukha nito. Akala ko tuloy, may masamang elemento sa paligid. "You could have told me August. You just left without notice." Matigas na saad ni Cayden.

Pero parang hangin talaga siya nito kung ituring. Galit pa ba ito sa kaniya dahil sa nasabi niya noon? Matagal na ang panahon na nakalipas. Nakalimutan na nga niya ang dahilan kung bakit sila nag-away bago ito umalis bigla papunta sa ibang bansa. Pero kay Ethan, malinaw pa iyon sa sikat ng araw. At ayaw na niyang balikan pa.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto ay hindi pa rin ako lumingon sa kanya. Palihim kong pinunasan ang luha sa aking mga mata saka nagsalita. "What? What do you mean?" Nanahimik muna siya saglit bago sumagot. "I- I don’t know either. I just miss you, Hazel. It’s been a month already since ang last conversation natin and it pains me only seeing you from afar and happy without me."

ani ko. Lumaki ang ngiti niya at inabot ang kamay ko kaya napunta ang tingin ko roon. Suddenly, I wanted to hug her tight. But I cannot do that with these people. "You'be been gone for long years... like Daddy," sabi niya na ikinawala ng ngiti ko. Napalunok ako at tumango. "You're right..." mahina kong sabi. "How are you, Mommy? They said you were away because you got so busy."