IT IS WHEN THE SUN SETS (TAGLISH)

GENRE: Tragedy

~*~

"Tell me, class, what do you fear the most in your entire life?" our teacher asked.

"I'm scared of being left."

"I'm scared of unseen creatures."

"I fear God."

"I fear heights."

"I fear spiders."

They laughed when they heard that someone from the class said that he feared spiders.

I felt the urge to raise my hands. My classmates were quite shocked when they saw me cooperating. I can't blame them. I don't usually do this, but now I want to share and show my fear.

"Okay Gina?" she said, motioning me to stand up.

I heaved a sigh before speaking.

"My biggest fear in this life is when the sun sets," I said.

Their brows furrowed as if asking me why.

"And why is it? Sunset is one of the most natural and beautiful kinds of scenery."

I smiled bitterly

"When the sun sets, we always see it's elegance. Some people would spend their time seeing the sunset to calm themselves. Sunset represents that our day had end and night time would come. Sunset represents that darkness is the next."

"That's what I fear. It is when the sun sets. We wouldn't know if we can still witness the sunrise the next day. What if after this sunset, darkness will stay forever? What if tomorrow, I can't open my eyes anymore and see the sun rising? What if tomorrow after this sunset, your loved ones would be gone and will never come back? What if-" I stopped speaking when the bell rang.

I noticed that my classmates were looking at me weirdly.

I averted my eyes and sat down.

"Okay. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Gina. Class dismissed," she said then smiled.

I was walking on the sidewalk, near the beach. This is the shortest path towards our home.

The sun is about to set so I walked quickly.

Someone bumped me, the reason why I fell. Before I found myself on the cold ground someone hugged my waist to prevent me from falling.

Like some cliché romance movies, my surroundings were in slow motion. I saw him. The most angelic and handsome face I've ever seen.

"You okay?" he asked worriedly.

I nodded.

He is Herald Matchinson. We unexpectedly became friends after that. He is the sweetest man I've ever met.

The time came and I unconsciously fell for him.

He asked me out, to the place we first met. It is already near sunset. Maybe I can confess to him today before the sun sets.

Before I could confess, he confessed to me first.

That was the happiest moment in my life. The happiest sunset I've experienced. And that day, I learned to love the sunset.

Our relationship is very strong. Malaki na kami ngayon at meron ng sariling mga trabaho. I am a teacher while he is a seaman.

Long distance relationship was never a hindrance of our love.

The same beach, we celebrated his first sail. Aalis na siya next week at ngayon lang ang free time namin. The sunset brought a cool ambiance in our surroundings.

"Always wait for me here my love. Sa pagbalik ko, pakakasalan kita," he said and kissed my forehead.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa pisngi ko.

"I will always wait for you."

He fulfilled his promise na sa pagbalik niya, pakakasalan niya ako. We are already married and I am now three months pregnant. Unfortunately, it is his time to sail again.

At the same place, we bid our goodbyes, shared kisses, promises and speak sweet words infront of the beautiful sunset.

~*~

"Anak babalik na dito bukas ang asawa mo," my mom said, but I can't see any happiness in her eyes.

I hugged my six months old baby.

"Did you hear that baby? Daddy will come home tomorrow. Makikita mo na ang gwapo mong ama," I said. May takas na luha ang tumulo sa aking mga mata. I'm just h-happy na makikita na ni Baby Gerald ang papa niya.

The day came, at nakauwi na si Herald. I immediately run and hug him. Not him, but the coffin he was placed in. Napahagulhol ako sa nakita. He is still handsome despite his pale skin.

"H -herald!" I shouted and my abundant tears kept on falling.

"No! No! Gumising ka Herald. Nandito kami ni baby Ge oh, naghintay sayo. Kita mo siya doon. Nandoon siya oh, natutulog kaya gumising ka na diyan para makita mo siya na parang anghel na natutulog," sabi ko kahit nalalasahan ko na ang pinaghalong luha, sipon, at sakit.

"Heraaald!" I shouted while crying.

Sobrang sakit. I can't even anymore feel my mourning surroundings. Iyak lang ako ng iyak habang iniisip na kung bakit siya pa sa lahat ng tao sa mundo.

Inilibing na siya sa araw na ito. Hindi kaparehas sa nangyayari sa pelikula na umuulan kapag may libing. Today, a sunset is shown. Hindi nakikita mula rito ang papalubog ng araw ngunit alam kong iyon ang nangyayari. Maybe this is his sign to me that he is in a good place.

"Herald," I whispered.

"Kung masaya ka na diyan, I think I should be happy too, kasama ni Baby Gerald, our angel. Promise I will also love the sunset as much as you do."

"Sunset is the sign that nothing is permanent in this world, but my love for you will always stay in my heart."

END