"Congratulations."

Sandro Conception, my male secretary, was the first one who approached me as soon as I got out of the courtroom. As usual, his face was straight, devoid of any emotion.

Napangiwi ako. "You could at least smile. Instead of feeling flattered, kinikilabutan ako sa congratulations mo." Hindi naman siya kumibo. "Pakiramdam ko multo ang kausap ko. Try being normal, Sandro."

I made my way outside the building. The case I was handling just got a non-guilty verdict today, that's why people are staring at me. Marahil humahanga sila dahil napanood nila kung paano ko ipinagtanggol ang kliyente ko sa loob ng korte.

"Atticus!" I was just about to enter my Hilux when somebody called me, catching both mine and my secretary's attention. We turned to our right and saw a friend of ours.

"Officer Gomez," I greeted and shook hands with him. Nagkamayan din silang dalawa ni Sandro at kapwa ngumisi sa isa't isa.

Senior Police Officer Aster Gomez was someone who helped us with our past cases. He was a reliable source, someone who was willing to risk his badge just to achieve justice. Medyo maloko siya pero sanay na ako sa mga kabalastugan niya.

"Napanood ko yung trial." aniya at tinapik ang balikat ko. Napakamot ako sa ulo ko dahil magdadaldal na naman siya. "Takte, ang husay mo. Walang kupas!"

I chuckled. "Thanks, Aster."

"Puro ka pambobola. May kailangan ka ba?" sabat ni Sandro kaya nagtawanan kaming tatlo. Hinayaan ko lang sila magkwentuhan at tahimik lang ako na nakinig. Medyo matagal-tagal na rin kasi noong huli kaming nagkausap.

"My employer's reasoning skills are flawless. You see, his reputation includes a 100% winning rate." pagyayabang ni Sandro.

Aster clicked his tongue. "Yeah, I can see that. Akala ko nga noong una medyo tagilid kayo dun sa kasong hawak niyo eh. But look, you still managed to coax the not-guilty verdict." Aster implied. "Kung hindi niyo napatunayan na walang kasalanan yun, baka naniwala na rin akong ginahasa at pinatay niya yung babae. It's a good thing that you were chosen as a lawyer."

I shrugged. "The end justifies the means."

"Come to think of it." napapaisip na sabi ni Aster. "This case is somewhat similar to the one you handled years ago. What was that case again? It was also a rape and murder case. Yung kay Solaire?"

Umiwas ako ng tingin at pinaglaruan ang susi ng sasakyan ko. "I can't remember. Sa dami ng kasong nahawakan ko, imposibleng maalala ko lahat." Nasabi ko na lamang.

Sinabi naman sa akin ni Sandro na hindi na siya sasabay sa akin dahil may lakad daw sila ni Aster. They invited me over but I politely declined. I still have a lot of cases to review, so I have no time to waste.

We bade our farewell to each other. Since I was in no mood to digest cases yet, I decided to take a stroll in the mall. I was trying to look for something that would pique my interest, but everything was simply plain and boring in my eyes.

The sun was almost setting when I bumped into someone familiar. Nasa parking lot na ako noon at pabalik na sana ako sa kotse ko nang makita ko siya. Wala naman akong balak na pansinin siya kaso siya na mismo ang humarang sa dinadaanan ko.

"Atty. Atticus Sylvensen VII."

I examined the man in front of me. If I'm not mistaken, he must be a businessman based on his attire. He was neatly dressed, someone who was obviously dandy.

"How can I help you?" I queried.

Ngumiti siya. "Don't you remember me?"

Sandali ko siyang tinitigan. Hindi naman siya nagsalita at hinayaan lang niya akong titigan siya. After a few seconds, I spoke.

"No." He was surprised to my downright answer. I nodded to him. "Now, if you please excuse me, I have to go somewhere."

I didn't deign to wait for his reply. Agad ko siyang nilagpasan at dumerecho na ako sa sasakyan ko. Papasok na ako noon sa loob ng Hilux ko nang magsalita siya.

"Thank you. My name is Conan Solaire. I know you have handled a lot of cases, so I understand why you can't remember me." Nilingon ko siya. "But I am one of those many people you saved. For that, thank you. I was exculpated because of you, Atty. Sylvensen."

I didn't know what to say so I simply muttered, "You're welcome."

He smiled. "Also, my friend wouldn't be resting in peace without your help. I'm sure she's also thankful to you after uncovering the truth behind her death."

Hindi na ako sumagot at pumasok na ako sa loob ng sasakyan ko. I unintentionally slammed the door to his face. Nagmamadali na kasi ako at ayoko nang makinig sa pasasalamat niya dahil may pupuntahan pa ako.

I arrived in the hospital where my brother Auxen was a resident doctor. I wanted to pay him a visit to catch up with him. Unfortunately, he was in the middle of a surgery so I wasn't able to see him. Pumunta na lamang ako sa rooftop para makalanghap ng sariwang hangin.

I gazed upon the starry night skies. The view was breathtaking, and it somehow soothed me. I wasn't much of an appreciative person, but I couldn't help but admire how bright and beautiful the stars are.

It could have been better to watch the night skies with someone. Too bad I was alone.

I smiled to myself. For the past five years, I have been like this. I would suddenly feel nostalgic in some places, like I've been there before with someone. I would spend my time idling, trying to remember something that never seemed to happen. The cycle was tiring, and it made me lose my interest in life.

It felt like I was alive, but I wasn't living. It's as if I was breathing for the sake of surviving. I was looking for something, but I didn't know what it was. It's like waiting for a miracle when you don't even need one in the first place. I was contented with my life, but I was nowhere near happy.

"I'm not happy at all." I whispered to the wind. Bumagsak ang mga luha ko at agad ko naman itong pinunasan dahil baka may makakita pa sa akin dito. To ease the pain, kinuha ko na lamang ang isang litrato mula sa pitaka ko. Litrato namin yun ni Gaia Venice sa isang photo booth. May suot kaming party hats at walang kasing saya ang mga mukha namin.

"I miss you so much." sabi ko at mas lalong bumigat ang dibdib ko habang nakatingin sa nakangiting mukha ni Gaia Venice. In the picture, her original hazelnut eyes were unusually shaded with gray. Alam ko kung kaninong mga mata yun. Alam na alam ko.

It was hard to let go. I dated as many women as possible, but none of them healed the scars of my heart. I tried to mend my broken soul, but I realized that it was impossible. My heart will forever be scarred, and I just have to learn to embrace the pain instead of trying to wash it away.

She was one of the best lessons in my life. I learned that if we really want something, we can't just wait for it. We must find a way to have it. Strive hard to get what you want. Don't give up in the middle of the race.

There are things in this world which are worth the time. There are people who are worth the wait. You just have to endure it all.

I'm not happy yet, and I am still on my journey in finding bliss. Someday, I'm sure that I will certainly find that happiness.

Nakangiti kong hinaplos ang mukha ni Gaia Venice sa litrato. Binaligtad ko ito at muling binasa ang mga salitang nakasulat sa likod. It was a picture taken exactly five years ago, on the 21st of September.

Happy birthday, Stray Soul.

I was lonely, but I didn't regret my decision when he asked me whether I still want to remember everything or not. I wanted to keep all the memories left, because the search is not yet done. I am still waiting for her to come back. I am still looking for that stray soul. And I am keeping my promise that no matter where she is, whose body she possess, what lifetime we are in... I would always find Stellar Lumina.