Salazar

"Elisha will always be the greatest gift that God gave me..."

Tahimik ang buong chapel noon. I was standing a few feet away from the sleeping beauty that changed my life. I wasn't looking at the crowd. I was looking at her.

"She saved me despite everybody's statement that I saved her. When Mira died, I closed my world until nobody can't reach me. But Elisha reached me and led me to Him. And even though we had a short time together, I know deep down in my shattered heart that she will be fine... that I will be fine. I haven't said to her my feelings. I was supposed to tell her that the day she left. That last embraced will always be my biggest treasure. Her last smile will always be my light."

I looked at the people that Elisha became family. They are all crying.

"She said, life and death is just a phase... and we are just passing by in this world. I know, someday, I will meet her. And when that day comes, I will tell her how much I love her. But for now, sleep well, my love. Until we meet again."

"Happy, anniversary," I murmured and placed flowers on her tomb. Two years... it's been two years since she left.

"Maggie wanted to join me pero may pasok siya sa school so I told her I will give you this." Nilapag ko ang isang maliit na bottle ng Yakult at ininom ko ang isa.

"The group prepared a mass for you. They are still giving me something you would probably give me every morning if you are around. Natatakot na nga ako baka ikaw ang naglalagay sa table ko."

Elisha was buried beside my mom's grave. Mira might be my girlfriend before she died, but Elisha was my... family. She's everybody's family.

"I know I will see you again. I can feel it in my heart. God wanted me to know something, isn't He? Naniniwala pa rin ako na balang araw ay maiintindihan ko ang mga nangyari. I just need to have faith."

Every night, I pray for her. That someday, my angel will be here with me. I ask God if He can lend her to me. I ask Him for her hand, for His blessing.

"I missed you, angel."

Naputol ang pagmumuni-muni ko nang tumawag si Doc. Chan.

"Baka malate ka pa niyan ha," paalala niya. "Nakakahiya ka na."

"Paalis na akong sementeryo. Papunta na kayong simbahan?"

"Oo. Ginawa akong driver ng buong nurse team."

Natawa ako ng bahagya. Nagpaalam na ako kay Doc. Chan at kay Elisha.

Sa simbahan, maaga akong nakarating kaya naisipan ko nang pumasok at magdasal muna. Hindi ko napansin ang isang babae na palabas ng simbahan. Nagkabanggaan kami at nasagi ko ang braso niya.

"Sorry," hinging paumanhin ko agad. Sabay pa kaming nagtaas ng shades ng babae.

"It's fine," sagot niya. Bigla ay kumabog ang dibdib ko. "Sorry din."

Tumalikod ang babae at nanaliti akong nakasunod ng tingin sa kanya. Napahinto siya at humarap muli sa akin.

"You still have your faith, don't you?" tanong niya.

"I still have."

"Good to hear that, Doc. Sal."

Napakunot ang noo ng babae at naguguluhang nagpaalam sa akin.

"Wait," habol ko sa kanya. Napahinto muli siya at hinintay niya akong makahabol.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Oh—" She smiles and offers her hand. "I'm Angel— Angel Ocampo."

—The End

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A/N

That's it... an open ending. Did they meet again?
It's up to your imagination.

Thanks Angela for giving me an idea for this story.

I hope I touch your heart with this story and I pray that your faith will remain whatever our situation might be.

Have faith.