Last Embers

The brilliance of the chandelier hanging above failed to lighten the damp atmosphere
between the pair sitting below it. Not one of them was talking or moving, perfectly painting the
picture of people uncaring towards each other.

The scraping of a chair was the one that broke the deafening silence permeating the
living room, along with the cheerful voice of a woman, “Hi Mom, hi Dad.”

Sola, Their first daughter, their ray of sunshine. She was the liveliest of their daughters,
the one who carries the conversations and the one who makes everything fun and
enjoyable.But now, even her unending optimism was unable to withstand the weight of the
atmosphere. Soon came Luna, their second daughter. She’s an eccentric genius who doesn’t
like to socialize or talk. She is the polar opposite of Sola, for she is as elusive as the moon.
Lastly was Stella, the youngest. She is not as boisterous as Sola nor is she a quiet genius like
Luna. She is but one of the many twinkles in the night sky— normal, common, but she is calm
and mature and is the sister who always keeps her composure in any situation.

“Children, we are getting a divorce.”

Their father nodded, “That’s right. We are very sorry, children. We were cowards, we
figured that since you all are adults now, you will be able to accept this more easily. Sorry that
you have to live in a fake world like this.”

Sylvan and Noelle’s love is like a burning candle, hot and beautiful, and also
unfortunately, temporary. No matter how beautiful and fragrant a candle is, its end would come
as long as it is lit up. It all comes down to how long the candle will last. As for them,
unfortunately, the final embers are soon to be extinguished. There is nothing else to be done
other than extinguish the flames, lest the fire will spread and hurt everyone.

Time seemed to still when those words were said, even the joyful Sola was left
speechless.

“We want to know what you say about this, children. Though our decision may never
change, what you say still matters as we are, after all, a family.” It was Noelle who broke the
silence. This divorce must be done.

Sola stood up abruptly, “You said “may,” does that mean there is still a chance?” It was
her usual optimism. She never fails to see the ray of sunshine in every stormy day.

“Sol, that is not how this—”

“You can not take back what you said, Mom. If I remember correctly, It was you two who
taught us never to go back on our words. Would you really go against that, along with the
promise you made for each other and this family?” Luna’s words were cold and biting as usual.
It didn’t fail to strike where it hurts the most, though behind her was her sadness and
disappointment.

“Luna! You can not talk to your mother like that! She just wants the best for this family.
We just want the best for this family. Sadly, this is the only solution we can think of. We do not
love each other anymore, children, and we can not do anything about it.” Sylvan was a
righteous man. He never cheated nor did he ever treat Noelle badly. Just like how everything
has a beginning and an end, their love too eventually became stale. It was a mutual agreement
between them to divorce— there was no hostility, nor was there any love left.

“Dad, this is just as hard for us as it was hard on you. I’m sure that Ate Sol and Ate Luna
are just saying this because they want this to be solved. I, too, am hoping. So why don’t we
settle this with a condition?” Stella never fails to surprise everyone with her words. Everytime,
she would just say things that she normally would never. This is one of those occurrences.

Noelle asked what condition it was.

“We will only agree to this divorce after three days. Within that time, we siblings would
try to rekindle your love. Simple enough, isn’t it?”

The parents were put in such a futile situation, but it was the request of their daughters.
Just that fact alone will make them do everything, no matter how pointless it was.

“Mommy, wake up! It’s time to go to the park!”

The next day came and Noelle was woken up by the shaking and patting on her
shoulder. It was Sola, dressed in an eye-catching pink dress and a cute princess tiara.

“What? What do you mean? And why are you dressed like that?”

Sola gasps, “But you and Daddy said we would go on a picnic today! Did you forget
already?!

“What? Who said that? And why are you talking like that? Did you already forget that
we’re about to get—”

“Come on, they’re waiting outside!”

Noelle was logged into a car without any idea what’ going on. Next moment, they were in
a private park, somewhere they often go to.
 She spots Sylvan immediately, sitting down on a bench, looking serene, “Hey, is this
your plan? What is going on? If you think this would solve everything, I’m telling you, it won’t.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t have any involvement in this.”

“Welcome to the first day of Operation: Back in Love! Within these three days, we are
going to relive the happiest moments we had as a family. As for today, we have our first ever
picnic day held on the first of August 2016! And you better cooperate unless you want us to
make you kiss each other like you always did in the past!” Sola announced enthusiastically.

The pair was flabbergasted, they never would have guessed they would be put in this
position: their daughter acting childish and them having to put up with it.

Surprisingly, the operation worked. It was the most fun Noelle and Sylvan had with their
whole family in the past 3 years. They sang Sola’s favorite song baby shark, they played tag
and ate Jollibee. It was genuine fun, the pair even acknowledged each other’s presence again.

The second day was just as fruitful as the first. It was Luna’s turn and they reminisced
the first time she got an award. It was for a spelling competition and it was funny as Luna still
had a lisp but she was able to spell the words kids her age couldn’t.Sola was even screaming
and clapping and jumping for her, saying she was proud, She even got up and said:

“Mommy, Luna said you and Daddy can make more sisters for us, so can you please
give us another? So I have many amazing sisters to be proud of!” She said it with such innocent
eyes the pair could only smile at her shyly while dragging the sisters out the crowd.

But they never disliked the idea, it was actually one of the reasons why Stella, their little
falling star, was here.

Noelle woke up the next day at the usual time she did for the last two days.
Unknowingly, she started to look forward to this plan she was opposed to at the start. Maybe
she was looking forward to the times she can spend with her family, or to the feelings she
thought she could never feel again.

She got up worried that Stella might have encountered any problems, while also
imagining which memory they will relive today.

Stella was found at the kitchen, making breakfast, “Stell, good morning. Aren’t we doing
your operation today? Did you have a problem?”

“Everything’s fine, Mom. Just, we can’t do it at this time, it’s still too early.”
 “What, why? What are we going to do anyway?”

Stella laughed, “Why does it seem like you’re looking forward to this, Mom? Don’t worry,
I'm sure this will change your mind.”

At 10 p.m., Stella invited everyone to their rooftop; they were stargazing.

Noelle's heart thumped when she heard that as memories surged into her. It was in the
stargazing event when she met Sylvan, they were stargazing when they became lovers and it
was under the stars when they became husband and wife.

It was the most peaceful night for the family. They were all silently appreciating the stars,
completely immersed in the comfort of starlight.

“Mom, Dad, we know what's going on.”

“What do you mean Stell?”

Luna took the telescope of her eyes, “I heard you shouting in your room, Mom. I thought
someone broke in so I checked the cameras I installed there. It was for security purposes, I
didn't mean to pry.”

Luna only heard some parts and not the whole thing. Mom, we want to know everything.”
Moments like these when Sola loses her usual joyfulness are rare, and it means the situation is
grave. Only Sylvan can coax her once she gets like this.

“Calm down Sola, give your mother some time.”

“No, I'll say it,” Noelle sighed. “I cheated. It was with a woman at work. I was wrong to
even entertain her and now I broke your trust. I broke this family.”

“It was on for two years and a half now and when we broke up, she leaked everything.
She leaked everything! To everyone! I was so ashamed that I quit work and left everything
behind. I feel I don't have the face to look at my colleagues anymore. To look at you! So I
decided to leave everything, to delete my existence for a while. I needed time, children. And
your father… he loved me so much that he was willing to let me go. He was the one who
suggested this act and said not to tell you to protect my image of a loving mother, so you will
still respect me after everything! But I am not a respectable woman. I'm even willing to leave my
family behind just to fix myself. So please, don't hate your father. This is all because of me!”

Noelle broke down, all her buried emotions came pouring out through her eyes. Still, no
one comforted her. They were not ruthless, they were only taught not to share compassion to
the people at fault. If anything, they were more willing to console their father.
 “This is why we must do this, I mean, I must do this, I don't want to sully my name any
further. This is my only way to escape this— to run.”

“Your mother's choice is cowardly and selfish, but I can only support her if that's the only
solution she has. I tried persuading her but you know I can never win against her, she is my
weakness after all. Sylvan sighed, don't worry, this divorce would only change our being
husband and wife. It won't change the fact that we love you three equally; you're still our ray of
sunshine, Sola, you're still our shining moonlight, Luna, and you, Stella, are still our little falling
star.

“Stella smiled, well, it looks like I really am your little falling star..

“Yes you are, Stella. Remember, you are special, our little star that fell from the sky.”

Silence enveloped them after Noelle's affirmation.

“No, because I'm about to disappear.”

“What do you mean Stell?” Sylvan was worried

“I'll disappear soon. I have a terminal illness, Mom, Dad,” Stella smiled. “Just like a
falling star— about to disappear.”

The dying candle of love is just an elaborate lie, but unbeknownst to them, their little star
is having its last embers.

“What? You can't do this Stella, you can't use this against me! And you two, tell me the
truth! Please!” Noelle was pleading. It was too much to take for her, especially when she’s
vulnerable like this.

“Stell was diagnosed a week ago. We were looking for the right time to say it but... I
guess there never was a right time.” Luna looked into the sky, the rims of her eyes red.

Sola sighed, ”We would never lie about this Mom. We understand that you're broken,
but Stell is about to die, can't you just think about this more carefully?”

Why do I still need to think about this? This is about you and not me anymore! I know it
was selfish to even think about leaving everything behind but that was because I was confident
you were all safe and happy! You are all working adults now so why would an old lady's
decision matter to you? But now that Stella is... I won't say it.” Noelle rushed to Stella hugging
her. “Since it's like this, I won't ever let you out of my sight, like I did when you were born.”

Unconsciously, everyone also went in for the hug. Their plan worked, and the divorce
has been revoked.
 “Right, Elle, you said you'll treat Stell like a newborn, yes? Do you remember the night
she was born?” Sylvan asked with a smile.

Yes, it was the night of meteor showers.” Noelle was taken aback by the nickname but
still, it warmed her heart.

Then it dawned on her. She looked at her watch and gasped in surprise. “Everyone,
look up!”

It was a meteor shower.