The Promise

(Ang Pangako)
Sabi nila, loving someone is the greatest feeling youll ever have, especially if this someone loves you
back the same way as you do. That is, if you are really meant for each other, though. What if not? You
must suffer the consequences and endure the pain deep inside your heart.

I, Francis Ignacio lived through this miserable pain. I loved her and she was all I ever had. Because of
her, my life changed for the better. I saw much light with her and temporarily enjoyed the beauty of it.

Let me take you back to year 1996 where I had first met her and fallen in love with her since then.
She was this stunningly beautiful chinita with long black hair and a morena complexion. Naisip ko,
she was the perfect match for the campus nerd, Marco Ugbuyas. She had this retainer in her teeth
and these hideous eyeglasses typical smart chinita. But if youll look at her, without considering her
retainers and eyeglasses, she was a pretty girl with cute sparkling eyes that will mesmerize you and
well-arranged teeth that always displays a killer smile.

She was so mahinhin and very good in classes. I hardly see her run at the corridor or play sports. I was
her exact opposite. I was with the cool boys and one of the runner-ups to be kicked out from the
school. I had this semi-standing hair in which they say, kapag nahulugan ng butiki, sigurado, patay!.
I can say Im one of the best-looking guys inside the campus and was labelled as a heartthrob or
something like that. I wasnt very good when it comes to my studies and I always get an almost failing
grade if not for my teachers mercy. I wasnt stupid or anything as such but I would rather spend my
time killing enemies and defending my allies at some computer games at some internet cafes than
listening to those boring and the kinds.

To tell you the truth, I didnt take notice of how messed up my life was and how much Ive been
missing until that day of August 26, 2005.

She was introduced to us by a common friend at a party where all seniors were invited to come. She
was damn mahiyain and very quiet.. and I hated her for being as such. No fun.

Hi guys! This is Eliza Chan. Teresa said in an almost squeaky voice of hers that irritated all of us.

She waved and said hi to all of us. And when she smiled, everyone stopped and stared at her dazzled
by her saccharine smile.

Errr.. hi. I was the only one who found the voice to greet her. Im Francis. This is Penoy, Justin and
Floyd.

Hi, nice to meet all of you.

And as if everyone was snapped out of her spell, they all found their voices and greeted her back with
welcoming smiles.

We exchanged pleasantries and off to our separate tables and friends. She was seated beside Tess for
the whole night, while I went into my kabarkadas and talked with other females.

Uy, Frank. Ayos yung Chan na iyon a. Cute. Penoy commented as he was staring at her from afar.

I dont think so. I answered, took a quick glance at her and back to Penoy.

Yeah. Kunin mo lang iyong glasses and retainers, okay na okay. Justin added agreeing with Penoy.

So? I asked uninterestingly.

Ligawan mo na! Justin suggested.

Muntik na akong mapatalon sa sinabi ni Justin.

Yoko nga! Bat ako? Kung kayo kaya? tanong ko.

Mas bagay kayo eh. Sagot ni Penoy.

Loko. Lets put it this way, nagpustahan kasi kami between sa inyo e. You know what? Floyd grinned.

Ano?

Kung ikaw ang unang mapapaibig sa kanya.. or maybe its the other way around. Floyd continued.

Whats in it for me?

Money, pare. Justin grinned again.

In ako diyan! Sabi ko, drank till the last drop of the beer I was holding.

I know since from the start, mali na talaga. I was such a stupid person. I played with fire and I know
someday, this, will come back to me.

We talked about our plans and applied it. Thats it! In a short span of time, we became friends and
after some months, we became us. Truly, I didnt know her. She was perfect. She was an angel. She
was kind. She was always there for me.. to support me and always willing to change me.
Why did I have to hurt her?

Liz, ano? Sino kasama mo pauwi? I asked worriedly.

H-ha? A-ako lang. Bakit? Teka, akala ko ba may practice kayo sa varsity? Punta na dun. She
smiled.

Eh pano ka?

Okay lang. Sige na, punta na dun.. She insisted.

Eh, ikaw nga? Hintayin mo nalang ako.. or I can skip-

Hindi. Punta na dun Francis Ignacio. She glared and I started walking away, then she called me up
and smiled.

I loved her. More than everything. Every day I spent with her was a special day for me. She was the
most misunderstood girl in the campus. She wasnt just interested to learning education, she was
interested in many things like how to play basketball, how to draw well, how to dance, how to fit in
with the other girls.. she was like every other average girl. The only difference with her though was she
was my life and that made her special.

She was sweet, thoughtful and to top it off with her intelligence, she was a gem! I never wanted to hurt
her, but I had to stick with my promise to my friends. Until one day, I was putting all the pieces in my

head to have a better explanation to her but rumours got her before I did.. No, the truth came to her
faster than what Ive expected.

I heard Lalaine laughed.

I cant believe it! Kami na ni Francis. Kelan pa pala kayo nagbreak? Guess, he wasnt taking it so
painfully. Lalaine said with a loud voice just so I can hear her.. and just so everyone can hear her.
I wasnt able to catch up with her reaction, but it was so sudden that I didnt have any idea what to do.
She walked fast and thats when she saw me staring at her in disbelief. I tried to explain everything but
she didnt give me a chance.

Eliza, wait! Ill try to explain- I cried out while following her.

No, its alright. Everything is clear. She gave me the sweetest smile Ive ever seen in my whole
existence.

No, its not alright. You have-

Really, Frank. I understand. I really do. She nodded and went her way.

I saw all the emotions and pain in her eyes. What bugs me and amazed me all at the same time was
that she smiled.. she still found a reason to smile! What the hell was I doing?! I knew she wanted to
cry. I knew she was hurt. How could I help her when I was the one who hurt her? I hated myself. Sa
simulat sapul, dapat di na ako pumayag sa pustahang iyon. Sana inisip ko muna kung anong
mangyayari sa kanya, sana.. inisip ko muna na makakasakit ako ng tao, sana inisip ko muna.. that she
was so fragile and she didnt deserve to be hurt this much.

Still, Lalaine and I became we. I couldnt think of any solution than to say sorry, not only for her but
to all who hoped for the two of us to be forever.

Liz, I came here to say sorry. Sabi ko sa kanya habang nakatayo ako sa labas ng gate nila.

That, Frank? Its 10:30 in the evening.. its late. You didnt have to go here para magsorry. You
know Ill always forgive you, and will always will. She smiled again.

Liz.. Im just.. so sorry.. for everything.

Wish you the best. She said in a cold tone and went inside their house. I was left staring at the
disappearing silhouette of a beautiful girl.

From that moment on, she started avoiding me and my friends. But for me, she was everywhere and
she was everything. I still couldnt stop thinking of how I managed to let go and slip of that one. Kahit
magkasama kami ni Lalaine, siya parin ang iniisip ko. Minsan nga, pag kausap ko si Lalaine, si Eliza ang
pumapasok sa isip ko. Si Eliza yung nakikita kong kausap ko.. si Eliza yung naririnig kong tumatawa, si
Eliza yung mahal ko.

There was even a time where it crossed my mind to just give the money back and get back with Eliza..
but I just couldnt do that. That would still screw everything up. I would hurt Lalaine.. and Eliza wont
have me back, why is that? She recovered from pain and I guess, she learned to accept the situation
much sooner than Ive been expecting.

PROM. I was worried about her.. if shell get a date or something like that. She didnt get a date, as
what everyone was expecting. Wall-flower, ika nga. But damn it, she was beautiful. Pagpasok palang
namin ni Lalaine sa Hall, my eyes were searching for her. She was wearing a baby pink tube dress and
her hair was finely arranged.. and I guess everyone noticed how beautiful she was. Kumbaga,
nilinyahan siya ng mga lalaki para makasayaw siya. Kahit yung may mga girlfriend and partners,

luminya sa kanya. And it pained me.. not being able to come close to her. Pero I gathered all my
courage and went to the dancefloor.. I was about to ask her, but Jeorge Laraso asked her before me.
Crap.

You have no idea how much jealousy I was feeling deep inside of me. It wrapped me, and at that
instant, I felt like ripping Jeorge Larasos throat was the best thing to do. But seeing happiness in her
eyes, I finally settled.

She was still the same Eliza Chan I first met.. I first knew.. I first loved. I know I will still love her and
forever will be. Maybe this is what we needed space. For the both of us, for her most especially. At
the first place, alam ko nang mali yung ginawa ko.. and if Ill ever consider her a mistake she would
be the sweetest one, then.

After chatting with Lalaine for awhile, I excused myself and got some fresh air outside. I was surprised
to see Eliza sitting under the mango tree just outside the Drake Hall. I looked at her.. and felt another
sting of pain in my heart. God you know how much I want her.. how much I love her, but I cant.

Hi.. I smiled and stood just right behind her.

She looked up and smiled back at me.

Hey..

Y-you look beautiful.

Why, thank you. I sat beside her and looked at the orange sky as the sun was beginning to settle
down from his reign.

Nice view, right? I asked.

Yeah.

Pangarap mong maipinta iyan, diba?

Oo.

I looked at her and saw her gaze at the lovely sunset. Naalala ko tuloy yung pangako ko sa kanya.
Sabay naming ipipinta ang paglubog ng araw sa dagat. At alam ko, kaya kong tuparin iyon.

Alam ko, nagkamali akong iwan kita-

Correction, niloko. She said calmly.

Okay, niloko. Pero Liz, kahit ano pa ang nangyari at ang mangyayari, you know I will never break
my promises with you.

Napatingin ako sa kanya at nabigla ako ng makita ko siyang nakatingin na saken.

Yeah, right. She scoffed.

Liz, come on! For once, maniwala ka saken. I loved you.. no, I love you! Mahal kita.. kahit
magkasama kami ngayon ni Lalaine.. ikaw parin yung nandito, Liz. I pointed my heart. Ikaw
parin..

Sinungaling. She looked at me. Please, Frank. Wag mo na akong asahan na maniniwala pa sa iyo.
Everything about you is a lie. Everything, Frank. She said calmly pero kitang-kita ko ang sakit at
ang galit sa kanyang mga mata.

No, Liz! Im saying the truth!

Ano ba ang alam mo?! Then suddenly, tears started to run down from her eyes.

Liz, you changed me. And I can never thank you enough for that-

Please.. just stop it. Lets stop. You dont even know what change means. Kaya.. tama na, Frank.
She pleaded and it hurt to hear that one word. Please..

I promise.. someday, makikita mo.. hindi ako nagsisinungaling, hindi ako nagsinungaling.. at
tutuparin ko lahat ng pinangako ko sa iyo.

Ayos lang kung hindi.. alam kong hindi..

She stood up and started walking away from me. It was the same thing that had happened to us..
during graduation. She walked away without even saying goodbye to me. She just suddenly
disappeared. I didnt have any idea how to see and contact her again. It was like.. she was lost to me..
forever.

And she was right. I never made up to my words. I was never able to live up to my promises. Never.

After some years of disappearance and a dying hope, her face suddenly popped out everywhere from
posters to billboards to television. It felt like everywhere I looked, she was there.. her lovely face, her
sweet smile, her cute eyes. ELIZA.

I see, shes now a model. I whispered to myself.

As for my part, Ive become a successful businessman. Even though I was involved with different
women during college days and up to now, shes still the woman Ive been longing for. Its still her
smile I want to see, her laugh I want to hear.. her lips I want to kiss, her, my Eliza I still love.

At sino ang makakapaniwalang may plano pa pala ang Diyos para saming dalawa? :]

F-Francis?

That voice.. I know this voice.

L-Liz? Hey.. How are you? I asked nervously.

Im good. Yeah, Im good. She was smiling. What about you?

Oh, Im okay.

Wow.. I cant believe Ill find you here. What a small world!

Yeah.. M-me too!

Hows your family?

My family? Oh, theyre good. Dads fine.. Moms okay and-

No.. I mean.. She suddenly hesitated. Youre OWN family..

Oh.. Im sorry. Hmm, wala pa. I chuckled.

R-really? Oh.

What about you? Are you married? I bravely asked.

Hello? Im a public figure. You shouldve known it if I am or not. She winked. I mean, everyone
knows everything about me.

Oh, yeah, right. I looked at my drink and carefully sipped from it.

Hey.. see that girl over there?

Yeah.. why?

I heard she had a crush on you before..

I laughed. Whos she?

Thats Lalaine, silly. She spanked me softly and laughed.

Oh.. I chuckled. I didnt quite notice. She changed a lot.

I waved at Lalaine and she waved back. Then Eliza started to chuckle to herself.

What? I asked.

Nothing. Nice one..

We then decided to go outside to catch up with each others lives. Grabe, I didnt know a person can
change this much. I mean, I know theres still an Eliza I loved thats left deep within her, but what shes
showing me is a very different woman compared to the Eliza I knew back in high school.

Whats happened to you? She suddenly asked with a befuddled face.

A-Anong ibig mong sabihin?

What happened to your good conversationalist quality? She chuckled. Kanina ka pa sagot ng
sagot nang Yah.

Oh, sorry.
And isa pa yan. If not, yah, oh and if not oh, sorry?!

I-I dont know what to say to you.. I mean, I dont know how to act around you. Matagal narin ang
nakalipas since I last talked to you. I mean, you just disappeared nung highschool. Ni hindi alam
nang lahat kung san ka pumunta. And here you are.. no, then suddenly, one day, your face pops out
everywhere. Alam mo iyon.. She suddenly became serious and looked far away.

It.. Its hard to explain. She looked at me and smiled gently. Youve forgotten it all already, right?
She asked in almost a whisper.

Alam ko kung anong tinutukoy niya. But I wanted to know kung papano siya magrereact sa gagawin ko.
Gusto kong malaman kung magagalit ba siya o katulad parin nung high school na parang wala lang.

Ang ano? I asked confusingly.

She looked at me as if surprised sa naging sagot ko and at the same time, parang she was halfexpecting it.

W-wala. Nevermind. She smiled again and turned away from me.

Teka, ang ano ba?

Wala nga..

Ano kasi

Kalimutan mo na iyong tinanong ko.

I suddenly chuckled. Hindi pa. I whispered.

Then she suddenly turned to face me and gazed at me with such beautiful eyes. I felt my knees
weaken and from there, nakita ko ang Eliza na minahal ko noon at patuloy na minamahal hanggang
ngayon. Shes still the same Eliza, amidst the make-up and the glamour, andun parin yung mga tingin
niya saken na nagbibigay ng pakiramdam na may paru-paro sa tiyan ko, na nakakatunaw and makes
me speechless..which always makes me surrender to her.

T-Talaga?

Syempre naman. I grinned.

Then she suddenly burst out laughing.

Baket?

Wala lang. She continued to laugh. So, are you involved with someone special? She suddenly
regained composition of herself.

No.. I paused. Ikaw?

She breathed deeply. Theyre not good enough for me. She grinned.

Really?

Yeah, really. She said sarcastically and laughed again.

Bigla narin akong napatawa kasabay niya. Hindi ko maalala kung kalian ako huling tumawa ng ganito
kalutong. Habang tinitingnan ko siya, hindi parin ako makapaniwala that after some years had passed,
I will still find myself laughing with her as if wala lang may nangyari noon. God, if she only knows that
shes still the one my hearts beating for.. how I want to hug her and tell her how much Ive missed her.
If only I am brave enough..

Its already late. I have to go home. Bigla siyang tumayo at ngumiti saken.

Hmmm, may I lend you my service? I smiled teasingly.

Oh no. No, thank you. Jun lent me his service na.

Ahhh. Okay. Well, I had a great time. It was nice seeing you again. R-really, Liz. Im really glad I was
able to chat with you kahit sa konting oras lang. So, take care. I smiled.

Yeah.. s-same here. She smiled gently again. Ill go ahead? Bye..
Bye. I answered in almost a whisper.

And she left with Jun Salvador. Is there something between them? Crap. I shouldnt think those kinds of
things. Mamamatay ako pag nalaman kung meron nga. Ito ba ang kabayaran ng mga ginawa kong
kabalastugan noon? I was right for her.. she was right for me.. but those were all was a part of the
past and maybe will always remain in the past.

Ill put my life on this one. Ill never break those. I whispered to myself habang nakatingin sa kanya
na papalabas ng hall.

Pagkatapos nung first time na nakita ko siya for after 7 years, I knew then that our paths will cross

one way or another.. again. And yes, indeed. We would always see each other during different
events and parties.

And everytime na nagkikita kami, she would always walk up to me and chat with me for awhile. I like
it. Kasi kung ako lang, hindi ko kayang kausapin siya na ako ang nauunang kumilos.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that Im getting married. Yes, you read it right. Im getting married. The
question is to whom? Shes some lady that has nothing to do with my life. And why this? The usual,
arranged one. My mom has to do all this to save the company. And theres only one family with (what a
luck for me) a daughter whos still single that can help us Gwendoline Jalandoni. In fairness naman
kay Gwen, shes really lovely, smart and nice. Honestly, I have nothing against her.. kaso nga lang,
shes not the girl for me and I know Im not the guy for her. I mean, I dont want her to suffer and
regret many years of his life just because she has to marry someone like me when in fact she can
marry someone else that she really loves. Gets niyo ang point ko? I dont think she deserves all of
these. Shes really a wonderful woman.. and she deserves to be happy.

Hey, Francis. Hows life? Eliza greeted me at one of the parties we both happen to attend.

Im getting married. I answered coolly while smiling at her.

Alam kong nabigla siya dahil kitang-kita sa kanyang mukha kung pano nanlaki ang kanyang mata at
napaawang ang kanyang bibig. For a second at least, her mind went blank.

Really?! Wow.. thats so good to hear! Congratulations! She responded enthusiastically.

I just answered her with a smile and sipped on my drink.

Alam kong alam niya na may nararamdaman parin ako para sa kanya. Nararamdaman ko ring may
pagtingin parin siya sakin. At sana man lang, masabi ko sa kanya ang nararamdaman ko bago ako
ikasal sa iba. And I guess that will also be the time na tutuparin ko ang pangako ko sa kanya.. bago ko
tuluyang burahin ang lahat tungkol sa kanya sa buhay ko. Just like my promise to her that we will see
together the most beautiful sunset well ever see in our lives.. sabay sa paglubog ng araw, so will our
past, so will my love for her.

And days passed, I have gotten to know Gwens family and relatives at talaga naman.. the jokes really
on me. Who would ever think that Eliza would be one of them? Ganito na ba talaga kaliit ang mundo
para mangyari ito? What were the possibilities of her being Gwens closest second cousin?
A hundred percent which I never thought of.

This is.. really.. amusing. She suddenly said while looking at me.

Lizzie.. Its so nice to see you. Gwen extended her arms around Eliza while Eliza froze upon seeing
me. This is my fianc, Francis. Gwen smiled while putting her arms around my waist which I did the
same and extended my left arm to Eliza for a shake hands. And this is Eliza, my best-est second
cousin in the whole wide world.

Hey.. hi. Eliza smiled and did the same. Siguro naisip niya ring its better to keep the past from Gwen.
Its so nice to meet you. And you really have a wonderful woman for a wife here. She looked at Gwen
and smiled.

You bet I have. I smiled to her in agreement.

After some get-together, and as everyone settled to have some chitchats and all, I excused myself, got
my beer and went to the balcony and just sat there while looking at the sky. Peace and quiet is what I
need to think clearly.

Hey. I turned around and looked at her.

Hi. I answered back while turning my back from her again. She sat beside me.. but she was facing
the inside of the house while I was facing outside.

Dont you think.. this world is such a small place? Her voice broke. Sa dinami-dami ng babae sa
mundo o kahit sa Pilipinas nalang, si Gwen pa. She chuckled.

Yeah.

Youre such a lucky guy.

I know. Shes really a wonderful woman.

I do hope you wont do to her what you did to me back in high-

Liz, alam mong- I suddenly face her but she stopped me from continuing what I was going to say.

No. Lets keep this down low. What we had was in the past. What you have for me now.. should be
buried in the past.

R-right.

And she suddenly turned all cheerful.

So you must be really really in love with her, huh?

No.

What do you mean?

Ilang ulit ko ba dapat ulitin sa iyo that youll always-

Stop. Youre getting married, Francis. Save it.

Pero Liz-

No buts!

Liz, I still have these feelings for you! I still love you! You are still in my mind and hindi ko na kayang
pigilan ang lahat ng ito.

Suddenly, I hugged her. Her tears ran down to her cheeks. She didnt resist. She didnt push me away. I
knew then she still got those feelings for me. Its been a long time since I wanted to do this.. to hug her
and finally, it came true.

But then, sounds of footsteps came running over and Eliza suddenly moved away from me. Then
Gwens face exposed at the dim light. Sana naman hindi niya nakita o narinig ang mga nangyari
kanina. Gladly, she didnt.

Andito lang pala kayo. Tara, may laro daw sa ibaba. Sali tayo! Francis, tara! Yaya ni Gwen habang
hinihila na ako pababa.

Sige, sige.

Ikaw, Liz? Halika na, baba tayo!

No thanks. Kailangan ko pa ng fresh air. Liz chuckled.

Sige, una nalang kami ha?

Sige, enjoy! I smiled at Liz.

I looked at her and wonder. I asked myself, Do I really have to marry Gwen? Im rich, I dont need
others money for me to be richer and to be happy. Diba?

After a week, our wedding was prepared. Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko sa buhay ko. Im all
confused. Hindi ko alam kung pano ko sasabihin kay Gwen na hindi siya ang gusto kong pakasalan. Na
ayokong sayangin niya ang buhay niya sa taong hindi siya mamahalin kahit kalian.

Frank, can we talk? Gwen said.

Sure.
I-I dont know how to say this. But..

What?

I-I-I cant marry you.

Why?

I dont know. I cant feel it. I mean, I dont feel like I want to grow old with you. No pun intended. You
are such a wonderful guy but..

I understand Gwen. I feel the same. I smiled at her.

Thank you.

I bet theres a lucky guy, huh? I teased her at bigla kong nakita ang namumula niyang pisngi.

Yeah. Well, its.. your brother.

Adrian? I smiled at her.

Y-yeah.

Nice.

Whos the lucky girl, then?

Your.. cousin. Eliza.

Wow. Great. She said and hugged me. Ill get going. Thank you for everything, Frank. She winked.

Same here.

Do you have any idea how happy I am?! Im free. Im absolutely free! Maybe me and Eliza are really
meant for each other. Maybe.. God has really something good for me.. and for her.

Thats when I decided to write her a letter. March 14, 2006. It was our 10 th year anniversary.. counting
back at the first day weve met.

March 14, 2006

Dearest Eliza,
Remember this day? This was the day I promised you to see the most beautiful sunset that has
ever set in this country. Alam mo na siguro ang nangyari samin ni Gwen. Were not just meant
to be with each other. Kasi alam Niya na mas gugustuhin kong mamatay kesa makasama ang
isang taong hindi ko naman kayang mahalin. I love you. Ive told you this for so many times
and the thing is, I still mean it hanggang ngayon. Sorry for everything Ive done. And I hope
you can come to this place, Splash Boulevard, 6pm.
Please. I have something for you. Ill wait for you there.

Loving you,
Francis

Nakaset up na ang lahat. It was 5pm when I remembered that I should buy another type of brush. I
hurried to the hardware store kung saan available yung brush nay un. Traffic caught me. I tried to call
her but her phone was off. Suddenly, the wind started blowing strongly. I turned on my radio and dun
ko nalaman na bumubuo yung low pressure sa Metro Manila. Bigla akong nataranta. I realized that a
storm was coming. I looked out the window and I still see the sun setting off at the orangey horizon. I
called Jennifer, Elizas secretary to ask kung nasan na si Eliza, kung makakapunta ba siya o hindi. She
told me that Eliza will be here daw. I was horrified. Kung hindi ko siya maabutan sa Splash, shell be
caught up in a storm. I was still at the middle of the traffic. Stagnant. Hindi ako makakilos. Walang
makakilos. The wind was blowing so hard and rain started to pour down heavily. Wala akong choice
kungdi ang bumaba sa sasakyan and started running to the boulevard.

It was, I guess, ang pinakamatagal at pinakamabagal kong pagtakbo. It was the longest time of my life.
The angry heaven was pouring down her wrath and so did the wind. Hindi ko na alam kung anong
dapat kong maramdaman. Anong nangyayari kay Eliza?

At kung saan akala ko hindi ko na kakayanin ang pagtakbo, I reached the place. I was horrified to what
I saw. Bigla akong napatakbo sa kanya. She was drenchedly wet and she was lying down on the sand. I
rushed her to the hospital. She was put into the emergency room for more inspections.
Gusto kong batukan ang sarili ko. Napakatanga ko talaga. What made me think of doing it?! If
something happes to her, hinding-hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko. HINDI.

And I thought to my relief, she opened her eyes. She uttered a word, but no sound came out.

Liz.. Liz, Im so sorry. Please speak up.. Please..

Frank.. she whispered.

Liz-

I waited for you.. Akala ko darating ka, umasa ako. Pero hindi ka dumating. *cough* But I love you.
Mahal kita. At kahit anong mangyari, tandaan mong minahal kita, minamahal kita, at mamahalin kita..
She whispered while breathing hardly.

Umiiyak kaming dalawa habang hawak-hawak ko ang mga kamay niya.

Mahal din kita. Mahal na mahal kita Liz.

A moment later, her face turned pale and her hands stiffened. She was gone. Pulmonia. She was
soaked in the rain for almost an hour and as a natural sicken girl, she didnt stand it. Now ask me, what
was I? A stupid man with no brains. A coward. I didnt deserve her love. Did she really forgive me? Did
she really hear what I was saying? Did she know I meant it with all my heart? I am her murderer.

I wasnt able to do it. I wasnt able live to the promise that became my reason to live, the promise that
was failed and killed her, the promise that I wished never existed at all. For a moment there, I was
thinking of how I would die at that instant just so I can be with her wrapped in her arms, but I wasnt
able to.

Shes dead. Shes gone. Forever.

No, I can still be with her. In heaven with the Creator that bind us together.

This pain I kept for over 50 years was the one which brought me to death and I couldnt be more
happier. Ive lived my life and I never regretted anything from it. And if theres one, it would be her
death. But then, my time has come. And finally, I will be with her in a place called paradise. Forever.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Ang lungkot lungkot. Sigaw ni Tina.

Ang lungkot diba? I didnt know may kwentong ganito sa buhay ni Tito Frank. Kaya pala walang asawa
si Tito. Sabi naman ni Jean.

Masaya na sila siguro ngayon.

Sana lang talaga, Tina.

______________________________________________________________________________

Uncle Francis was such a nice man a good son, a lovable tito, a helpful friend and a loyal and sincere
lover. Before he left, he wrote something. A testimony, a love story, a history. For those who knew my
uncle, I know that you are also familiar with Eliza Chan. The girl who made Uncle the most happiest
person in the world. And now that hes with her, I do hope that hes happy.. that they are both happy.
And heres a song for you.

Then a spark of music sounded. Jean started singing. For a moment at least, the chapel was wrapped
with silence and grief.

I can still remember yesterday

We were so in love in a special way
Knowing that you love me makes me feel oh so right
But now I feel lost, dont know what to do
Each and everyday I think of you
All the madness tears Im trying with all my might
Because its gonna left me standing all alone
And I know Ive got to face tomorrow on my own
But baby before I let you go I want to say I love you
I hope that youre listening cause its true
Youll be forever in my heart
I know that no one else will do.
So before I let you go I want to say,
I love you.

I cant finish the song.. Im sorry. Jean whispered to Tina.

Uncle, you left us, but the memories you had left will be forever with us. And I know that someday,
well meet again in a place where harmony and peace surrounds. Tina said for the last time.

The men started getting Francis coffin into the last place, the cemetery. All of them threw their roses
and flowers to him. Suddenly, it rained. Then memories came flashing through Jeans mind.

I like rain. How bout you uncle?

I love it. Its as if it cleanses the world.
Yeah.
And for that moment, she understood what her Uncle had meant.