After how many arduous months of absence, Ashleigh’s heart skipped a beat as she approached the familiar doors of the Central Bank of Pagadian. She had yearned for this moment since her sudden departure, and it finally came to fruition.

As she stepped into the bank, she was immediately greeted by the warm smile of her manager, Mr. Garcia. “Welcome back, Ashleigh!” Mr. Garcia exclaimed, his  voice filled with both joy and relief. “We’ve missed you terribly.”

Ilang sandali pa, ang mga katrabaho ni Ashleigh ay dumagsa sa paligid niya, nag-aalok ng mga yakap at mga salita ng pampatibay-loob. “Napakasaya na nakabalik ka,” sabi ng matalik niyang kaibigan, si Lindsey. “Hindi namin maisip na magtrabaho nang wala ka.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Ashleigh’s eyes welled up with tears. She had feared she would be forgotten or treated as an outsider after such a long absence, but the love and support shown by her colleagues melted away her anxieties.

Pagpasok niya sa kanyang lumang cubicle, napansin niya ang isang salansan ng mga papel na naghihintay sa kanya. “Ano ang lahat ng ito?” tanong niya.

“Oh, just a few gifts from your co-workers,” Mr. Garcia replied with a twinkle in his eye. “We wanted to show you how much we care.”

Binuksan ni Ashleigh ang unang sobre at napasinghap siya. Sa loob ay isang magandang gintong kuwintas na may nakasulat na pangalan sa isang maliit na alindog. Niregaluhan din siya ng kanyang mga kasamahan ng isang personalized na coffee mug, isang komportableng kumot, at isang gift certificate sa kanyang paboritong bookstore.

“Sobra-sobra na ang mga ito,” Ashleigh said through tears. “Hindi ko sukat akalain na ganito pala kung magmahal ang taga rito sa Pagadian.”

“Of course uy! Dapat makabana ka ug taga diri sa Pagadian kay maayo sila mupangga,” said Lindsey.

Natigilan si Ashleigh ng ilang minuto pero binawi naman niya agad. Ngumiti ito sa kanila. “You’re an indispensable part of our team, Ashleigh. We’re just glad you’re back.”

“Anyway, get back to work everyone it's already time.” sabi ng bank manager sa kanila.

Lumipas ang ilang oras ay break time nila para kumain ng tanghalian. Habang kumain sila ay tinanong si Ashleigh ng isa niyang kasamahan sa trabaho.

“Ashleigh, kumusta ka na?” napahinto si Ashleigh sa pagkain at ngumiti ito sa kanilang lahat.

“Heto....lumalaban pa rin at umaasa na babalik at magpapakita sa amin si Aziel. Kahit alam kong walang kasiguradohan na babalik pa siya.” malungkot niyang sabi pero ngumiti pa rin siya.

“Sorry to hear that, Ashleigh. Hindi na kami magtatanong.” Sarah said in a guilty voice.

“Ano ba kayo, okay lang.. hindi ko rin naman maiiwasan na hindi siya maiisip e, kaya okay lang talaga.” ngiti niya rito sa kasamahan niya.

“Dai! Sorry kung hindi ako nakapunta sa binyag ni Caleb, busy kasi talaga ako e, tapos may problema rin sa bahay.” paghihingi ng despensa ni Lindsey.

“Sayang hindi mo nakita ang mga kapatid ni Aziel.” natatawang saad ni Ashleigh kay Lindsey.

“Hay! Naku! Babalik pa naman sila diba?” tanong niya at sinabayan ng malakas na tawa.

Nagtatawanan silang lahat dahil sa inasta ni Lindsey. Pagkatapos nilang nagkwentuhan ay bumalik agad sila sa kani-kanilang pwesto para magtrabaho ulit.

********

Habang ang mga ilaw ng lungsod ay kumikislap sa buhay, na nagliliwanag sa mataong kalye, lumabas si Ashleigh mula sa banko kung saan siya nagtatrabaho, ang kanyang pagod na mga paa ay sumasakit mula sa isang mahabang araw na trabaho. Ang kanyang puso, gayunpaman, ay tumaas sa pag-asa habang tinatahak niya ang kanyang daan patungo sa kalapit na botika.

Her mission was simple: to purchase milk for her precious son, Caleb. The five-month-old bundle of joy was the light of her life, and ensuring his well-being was her top priority.

The pharmacy was a sanctuary amidst the urban chaos. Ashleigh breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped inside, the soft hum of refrigeration and the faint scent of antiseptic mingling in the air. Quickly, she located the infant formula section and grabbed a container of her preferred brand.

Nang matapos ang kanyang pamimili ng gatas para sa kaniyang na si Caleb, agad na umuwi si Ashleigh. Habang papalapit siya sa kanilang bahay, ang tunog ng nakakahawang hagikgik ni Caleb ay umabot sa kanyang pandinig. Isang alon ng init ang bumalot sa kanya nang buksan niya ang pinto at pumasok sa loob.

There, in the cozy living room, Caleb sat propped up on cushions, his tiny hands waving enthusiastically. The sight of his bright smile and sparkling eyes melted away all of Ashleigh’s weariness.

“Baby!” Ashleigh exclaimed, her voice a sweet melody.

Ashleigh rushed over to her son and scooped him into her arms. She showered him with kisses and whispered sweet nothings in his ear. Caleb’s laughter mingled with Ashleigh’s own, creating a symphony of love and happiness.

Sa sandaling iyon, napagtanto ni Ashleigh na gaano man kahirap ang kanyang trabaho o kung gaano kahirap ang kanyang buhay, ang hindi natitinag na ugnayan na ibinahagi niya sa kanyang anak ay palaging magiging kanyang pinakamalaking pagmumulan ng kagalakan at kasiyahan.

“Anak, kanina ka pa ba?” tanong ng kaniyang ina lumabas mula sa kusina.

“Kararating ko lang, Ma, teka, nasaan si Miguel?” tanong ni Ashleigh dahil hindi niya nakita ang kaniyang kapatid.

“Nandoon sa kaniyang kwarto nanunuod ng palabas.” sagot ng kaniyang ina.

“Pakibantayan na muna si Caleb, Ma, ipagtimpla ko lang ng gatas.” sabi niya at mabilis na tumayo. Pagkatapos niyang magtimpla agad niya itong binigay kay Caleb na kanina pa tinataas ang kamay nang makita ang biberon.

As Caleb contentedly sucked on his freshly prepared milk, Ashleigh sat down on the couch, her heart filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The simple act of providing for her son’s basic needs had brought her immeasurable happiness. For in that moment, she knew that she was not only a mother but also the architect of a love that would last a lifetime. “I miss you badly, Aziel, sweetie.” bulong niya.

Nabalik siya sa reyalidad ng tumatakbong lumabas si Miguel mula sa kaniyang kwarto at lumapit sa kaniya at inabot ang hawak nitong cellphone.

The phone felt heavy in Ashleigh’s hand, a cold, metallic weight against her palm. Aziel’s phone. It was a simple, worn device, the screen cracked in one corner. But it held a secret, a truth that shattered her world in a single, silent video.

Sa sandaling pinindot ni Ashleigh ang play button, ang silid ay tila lumiit sa paligid niya, ang mga pader ay nagsasara, ang hangin ay lumalapot sa bigat ng hindi masabi na kalungkutan. Lumitaw sa screen si Aziel, namumutla ang mukha, nababalot ng pagod ang mga mata. Isang manipis na ngiti ang dumampi sa kanyang mga labi, ngunit ito ay isang pilit na kilos, isang maskara na nagtatago sa bagyong nananalasa sa loob.

His voice, husky and weak, filled the room. “Ashleigh, my sweetie,” he began, his gaze fixed on the camera, “I know this is hard to hear, but I need you to know. I’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumor. It’s aggressive, and the doctors say I have… five months left.”

Napatakip ng bibig si Ashleigh pinipigilan ang kaniyang paghagulgol. Ang kanyang puso, isang galit na galit na ibon sa kanyang dibdib, ay kumamot sa kanyang mga tadyang. Kaya pala palagi itong humihingi ng tawad sa kaniya dahil pala may sakit na itong dinadala, mas naging atras, ngunit hindi niya naisip na magkasakit, kahit kailan.

Aziel continued, his voice betraying a flicker of despair, “I wanted to tell you myself, but I was afraid. Afraid of your reaction, afraid of how this would change everything. But I couldn't bear the thought of leaving you with unanswered questions, of leaving you with unspoken words.”

“Sweetie, pasensya dahil bigla akong umalis at hindi nagpapaalam sayo at sa anak natin. Ayaw kong maging pabigat pa lalo sa ’yo. Basta ang importante ay masaya akong umalis dahil nakita ko ang anak natin at masaya tayo sa sandaling iyon.” humahagulgol na sa iyak si Ashleigh dahil hindi na niya ito mapigilan pa.

His words, each one a blow to her heart, painted a picture of his internal turmoil. The fear, the pain, the helplessness. And the love, the insurmountable love for her that shone through his tears.

“Ashleigh, my sweetie I love you,” he whispered, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “More than words can say. I always have, and I always will. I’m sorry for living you.”

The video ended, the screen going black, the silence deafening. Ashleigh’s vision blurred, her throat constricted, choking back sobs. She dropped the phone, her tears spilling over, hot and heavy on her cheeks.

Aziel’s world, their world, was crumbling. The reality of the situation, the weight of his illness, crashed down on her with the force of a tidal wave. She felt the ground beneath her feet disappear, leaving her suspended in an abyss of grief and disbelief.

Ngunit ang mga salita ni Aziel, at ang kanyang pagtatapat, ang kanyang pagmamahal, ay isang angkla, isang linya ng buhay. Ipinaalala nila sa kanya ang kagandahan ng kanilang pagmamahalan, ang mahalagang oras na natitira sa kanila. At habang siya ay umiiyak, ang hilaw, hindi na-filter na sakit ng pagkawala ay naging isang matinding determinasyon.

She would make the most of the time they had left. She would cherish every moment, every touch, every whispered word, every fleeting glance. She would fill their remaining days with love, laughter, and memories. She would hold him, support him, and love him fiercely, until their last breath.

“Time is not on my side.” umiiyak na sambit ni Ashleigh habang mahigpit na hinawakan ang cellphone ni Aziel.

©iKnowImNewbie