Since You've Been Gone Novels & Stories

Dahil sa tatlong araw na hindi mahagilap ang anak, siya ang sumalo sa mga responsibilidad nito, dahilan ng kanyang matinding sakit ng ulo. He clenched his hand over his phone, staring at the empty desk as his thoughts spiraled. His chair creaked as he leaned back, trying to piece together why he had left without warning. His breath hitched, his mind replaying his message: 'I'm gonna be away. I'll be back after three days.' And just like that, he became unreachable.

Bakit hindi mo sinabi? Napahagulgol na rin ako saka iniyuko ang ulo ko. Nakaligtas nga siya ngayon, pero mawawala rin naman pala siya ilang araw mula ngayon. Ano na lang ang mangyayari sa 'kin kapag matagal kitang hindi nakasama o nakapiling? Para na nga akong pinagsakluban ng langit dahil hindi lang kita nakita ng ilang araw tapos ngayon malalaman ko na mawawala ka na pala.

RAIUS HEAVED A SIGH. “Ang daya nga kasi napapayag nila ako. Walang-wala rin ako noong mga panahong iyon, eh. Ako na lang ang mayroon ako. Kahit ikaw, wala ka na sa akin noon dahil hindi ka naman na nakakaintindi noon. You were bedridden. I was caught off guard, Aiah. I had no choice but to let you go.”

“Y-Yeah…” “Tapos hindi ka na naman magpaparamdam? Halos araw-araw kita kinokontak pero lagi kang coverage. Saan ka ba kasi galing? Sabi ni Vixon wala ka sa tagaytay. Hindi rin ako pinapasok sa village n’yo-” “If ever I’m gone again, just don’t find me, Line…” Nangunot ang aking noo at pinilit tumingin sa kaniya. “Bakit naman?”

"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."