The Untold

by: Christian Andrew J. Libunao

29th of June 2065, 6:00 p.m. – Today was so cloudy as if it

will rain. The cold wind gradually shivers through my skin. Among

all the other tombstones, you are the only one who has a visitor

that carries a basket of flower only for you. Only if you were

alive, we would be celebrating your 62nd birthday. Everything is

still fresh in my mind…everything. I can smell your fragrant scent

because you always wear your most favorite Aficionado sweet-

scented perfume. I already miss your eyes – as it gives meaning

and color into my life. Of course, your sweet smile will always be

here in my heart. As I close my eyes and shed a tear, all I can

say is, “I wish you were here.”

For an instant…you showed. The cloudy season in the cemetery

became dark as if there was something above me. The wind became

freezing. I can now smell the scent of sampaguita. Then, you

showed. The person who I have been longing for fifteen years is in

front of me like nothing happened. I am scared, but I don’t want

this to end. I want to tell you a lot of things that I have been

saying to the stupid stone. I want to express the love that I hid

for a long period of time. I want us to be in another level –

unlike before.
 It was in October 2020, Thursday night when you messaged me,

“Xian?” that made me think of different things. Before this night,

I was fully aware that you were stressed out because of your

modules and personal matters. On that note, I always told you that

I would be there for you anytime and anywhere. It might sound

cliché but I really fell in love to you, however we were not meant

for each other; I think. I was under the curse of one-sided love.

Yet, I let you use my intelligence for you to survive your studies.

It was more than fine for me because I was helping the love of my

life. Years passed, we haven’t called each other because you were

busy pursuing your dreams in becoming an engineer, and so was I in

taking my PhD degree. Our connection really was cut off during

those time, until one night we saw each other at a friend’s

birthday celebration.

30th of September, 2027 was Harris’ 26th birthday. This is

when I saw you again. You were still the same. You still have the

chinky eyes that I fell for before. You still wear the same sweet

smile when you were 17. Then, I came towards you and asked, “Hey,

how have you been? It’s been like seven years.” “I am fine.

Actually, I need to go early because I need to review for my

licensure examination,” you replied. The whole night went well.

You were really drunk. I was doubting you that time because you

told me that you were leaving early because of a review. But we

became close to each other again. Morning after that night, you
wake up late. I already prepared your favorite Bicol express –

because it feels like this would be the last. I enjoyed watching

you finish the whole plate. You were the same man I loved before.

It was a blissful Christmas Eve for me as I received a notice

that I was one of the candidates for graduation in PhD degree. An

unknown number appeared to my cellphone. I heard a woman crying on

the other side of the line. “Is this Xian?” she said. I answered,

“Yes, who am I talking to?” She replied while sobbing, “Something

happened to Jr. He was hit by a car. I was with him crossing the

street. He was telling me a story about the two of you.” “What

hospital is he in?” I asked. My heart was exploding; it felt like

it wanted to go out and find my man. “We are here at St. Lucas

Hospital. He already passed. The doctor declared that he was dead

on arrival,” she sadly stated. My phone fell on the ground as I

hear the news that he was dead. I can’t contain the grief. I want

to shout the loudest I could. But I should not be sad because he

would not want that. He could have lived a happier life – with me.

Now, I am standing here in front of you wearing your favorite

shirt of mine – the violet one with your surname at the back. Since

you showed in front of me right now in form of a ghost, I realized

that you were just like before – violet t-shirt, black short

shorts, and a timeless smile. I haven’t said anything when I heard

about your passing. I believe this is the time. “Hey! How are you?
Well, I am fine. It’s kind of sad because I haven’t told you how

much I love you, how much I care for you, and how much I want to

hug and kiss you. All of those flew away with the reality that you

are now gone. Even though I am seeing a ghost right now, I am not

afraid of you. I am brave facing you and telling you the untold

things that I could have said long time ago. I hope you are now

happy where you are. May your soul rest in peace. Till we see each

other again, Jhon Rhey.”

I felt relieved. I am now free. While crossing the street, I

was happy and looking to every person I am passing by. Then…I heard

a loud screeching noise. The last thing I could remember was a man

pushing my chest multiple times, and my eyes closed.

See you there, Jr.