❤️THE SPACE IN BETWEEN❤️
?Age is just a number?
✍️Written By Precious Pinky✍️
?Chapter Twenty-Five(25)?
#NOT EDITED.
Theme: Lost.
?Malby’s Pov?
It was silent. No words were heard aside from the whimpering and sobbing of the people present. The atmosphere wasn’t one to be happy for. Even the clouds were crying, (it was raining heavily).
I was in my favorite black dress. My hair were let down to fall over my shoulder. My gaze were fixed on the coffin in front of me. The priest stood beside the coffin as he let people come over to stare at the lifeless body lying in it.
The church were filled with people. Different people. People I didn’t even know existed in his life. People that didn’t stand by him when he needed them most. They were hypocrites. They never cared.
But can I blame them for this misfortune? I was practically the one to be blamed right now. I was the one who walked out of his life and left him heartbroken. I was the one who made him lose hope in life.
I slowly got up from my seat and walked over to the front of the church, the coffin was just miles away from me but it felt like it was far away from me. Am I worthy enough to be here?
I counted each step I take towards the black coffin. Red were his favorite color.
*Do you mind sharing your meal with me?*
*You haven’t told me your name.*
*Manuel.*
*Manuel. Great. Cheers to our new found friendship.*
*Friendship?*
*Come on, friends share meal together.*
*Today is going to be Manuel’s day out. I will be at your service. Bills on me.*
*Come on, say hello to the oceans.*
*Hello!*
*I will show you a reason to live. I will do those things you’ve never done with you. I promise.*
*Wow. It’s so fun.*
*I’m not asking you to forgive me or to forget all I’ve done. I’m just asking you not to hate your mother.*
*I don’t. I can never hate her. But I hate you instead.*
*I’m sorry. i promise never to self harm myself. Ever.*
*Stay away from me.*
The memories I spent with him were all that filled my mind, head and thoughts. The tears I’ve been holding on to, sli-pped off my eyes to my face.
My chest clenched tightly as i finally stood in front of the coffin. And there he was. He was looking so white and cold. He didn’t survive the surgery. He couldn’t. And it was all my fault.
~FLASHBACK~
“I will be right back.” The woman said, walking away with the doctor.
I look over to the operating room as tears clouded my eyes. I hope everything will be fine. I just hope.
Xander and I sat down at the awaiting room as we waited for the woman to return and give us the news.
I was scared. The thought of losing Manuel scares the shit out of me. I hate myself if anything happens to him.
Xander never left my side and I’m really grateful for that. He was my strength after all. He was my positivity even when all that was in my mind were negativity.
Thirty minutes later the woman returned, looking so sad and what seem to caught my attention were the tears on her face.
I stood up to my feet alongside Xander, we both made our way towards the woman. She shook her head in tears as she reached out to me and engulfed me into a hug. A hug of consolation.
I don’t need to be told to know what the news is. I don’t need the doctor or this woman to tell me what happened. It was obvious. But believing it was so ha-rd for me so I asked, “What happened? How is he?”
She stroke my back gently not saying anything.
I pulled away, breaking the embrace. “Where is Manuel?” I asked. The tears were evident in my voice.
“He is gone.” She breaths out after hesitating for a long time.
Everywhere were silent as I tried to process what she’d just said. Gone? Gone as how? Like did he run out of the surgery room? Or didn’t he take the surgery? what kind of gone was she talking about?
“I don’t get.” I shake my head.
“He gave up, dear. He is dead.”
~END OF FLASHBACK~
Why did I walk away? Why didn’t i stick to him to the very end?
I pulled out of the side hug, separating myself from Xander and walked out of the church. I needed to be alone. Xander took the hint because he didn’t come after me.
I walked out into the rain, caring less about how ha-rd it was and most importantly, caring less about catching a flu. Life was a bit unfair. Why does the dead have to be buried six feet under the ground _a cold ground, to be precise_ Why do they have to be cold when we humans are afraid of catching cold? Why do we have to lose a love one?
I sank into the we-t cold ground and look up at the cloud. They could feel my pain. Like seriously, who wouldn’t?
My thoughts slowly wanders off to the day Manuel and I danced in the rain.
*May I have this dance, milady?* He had asked, stretching out his hand towards me.
*Of course.” I giggled, as I placed my palm on his. We had fun that day. I can never forget that day and I’m most certainly sure, Manuel wouldn’t forget as well. Dead or alive.
I look over at my side and find myself staring at Manuel. He was smiling at me. He looks very much happy and different.
I thought… Isn’t he suppose to be dead?
Well, that wasn’t necessary right now.
“Why did you do it?” I asked in a whisper.
He smiled, looking away from me as he stared at the sky. “Life isn’t all about choice but also rather about decisions.” I remembered when he said those words to me.
“And taking those drugs were your decisions?” I questioned.
He shook his head. “They were my choice but I never wanted to die.” He looks back at my face, smiling.
~FLASHBACK~
“he didn’t keep to his promise. He killed himself. He lied to me.” I sobbed.
The good Samaritan shook her head as she sat down beside me and handed me a paper. “He had pleaded with me to help him before he became unconscious. You know what that means right?” She smiled throu-ghher tears. “He never wanted to die.”
~END OF FLASHBACK~
I couldn’t hold my emotions any longer. I let it all out. I began sobbing. I cried my eyes out.
I’ve lost a friend. A good friend at that.
I had failed him but I hope he forgives me and finds happiness wherever he goes.
“You are right though,” He began. “When you wish the love of your life happiness, you are needed to do one thing…leave. I wanted to leave you and Xander’s side so you guys can be happy but I think I went too far. Not everyone deserves a happy ending.” He sighed. “I can’t be close to you, Malby but you will forever be in my heart. You will forever be my best friend. Thanks for everything. Most especially, thanks for being my friend.” He gradually disappears.
“Manuel?” I screamed and started crying all over again.
He was gone. Forever.
I was still crying when someone wrapped their arms around me. It wasn’t Xander’s. It was a feminine.
I look at my side and found myself staring right at Tricky. She was also in tears. I didn’t even see her in the church.
She pulled me into her arms, hugging me. I wrapped my arms around her wa-istand hug-ged her back. We both cried in each other arms. Enemies consoling each other. What an irony.
“Don’t blame yourself for all this. If there’s anyone to be blamed then I’m the one to be blamed.” She said.
“He shouldn’t have to die. Why did God take him away? He never had a live a good life. He was never happy. He was always self harming himself. He doesn’t deserve death. He deserve happiness just like everyone.” I cried out.
“Yes, he does. But life isn’t done that way. Not everyone deserves a happy ending. It’s so unfortunate that Manuel is one of them.” She sighed. “Yeah, he was never happy but good thing he might you. He will never forget you, Malby. Because you were his only source of happiness. He is very much indebted to you even in the land of the dead.” She pulls out of the embrace. “Manuel wouldn’t want you to sit here and blame yourself for his death. If you really care then do the right thing. Help people like him and stick to them to the very end.” She got up to her feet. “I’m sorry for everything I might have done to you and I wish you happiness. Good-bye.” With that, she left.
??????????
“Sleep tight and please don’t cry again.” Xander pressed a ki-ss on my forehead as he said those words.
“Hmm…. Goodnight.” I forced a smile to my face before getting out of the car. I waved him goodbye, he waved me back then drove off.
I turned around and walked into the house. When I got into the main house, I didn’t even say a word to anyone, I just went into my room and locked it so no one would disturb me by coming in.
Everyone in the house knew about the lost. And they were all so sad.
I took off my shoes and lay down on the ground, I was still on my we-t black dress.
I snatched the paper at my bedside table, it was the paper that woman who tried saving Manuel had given me.
I didn’t open the paper because i was feeling so guilty and scared. A new fresh tears strolled down to my face. I’m quite surprise that I’m being able to cry. I mean, I thought I’ve cried my whole tears out.
I slowly unfold the paper and something. Something huge struck my chest. It was the list.
I read throu-ghthe list and it was still the same aside from a number I haven’t seen.
#14. I hope to see Malby happy. Again.
He had written this number that day at the cliff. The day mom found out about Xander and I. I knew he wrote something on it and I ask him to show me what he wrote, he refused.
I started sobbing very loud over again. My heart were heavy. I never knew what it feels like to.lose someone close until now. God, I’m broken.
If only I didn’t walk out on him that day all this wouldn’t have happened. I should have stick to him to the very end. That’s what a true friend will do but what did I do instead, I left. I gave up.
*Manuel wouldn’t want you to blame yourself for all his. If there’s anyone to be blamed then I’m the one to be blamed. If you really care then do the right thing. Help people like him and stick to them to the very end.*
Tricky words echoed in my head. I hate to say this but she’s right. Manuel wasn’t the only one who is unfortunate to live a bitter life. There are still people out there who needs help.
I clenched my fist. I could still save Manuel. It might not be Manuel but saving people like him meant saving him.
Manuel was right. Life isn’t all about choice, it’s also about decisions.
I wiped my tears as I collected a pen from the table and scribble down something on the paper as i cancelled another.
I smiled, getting up to my feet and running out of my room. I walked downstairs and found mom and dad, I walked up to them. They look at me, concern were evident in their faces.
“i have a new dream, mom.”I said.
“A new dream?” She asked, confused.
I nod. “I don’t want to be a musician any longer. I want to be something better. Someone better.” I smiled.
#12. I want to see my best friend fulfil her dreams as a rapper.
I canceled that number and wrote something else.
#12. i want to see my best friend save people. As a therapist.
If i can make Manuel happy then I can make people like him happy as well.
I will give them a reason to live.
*
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#To Be Continued.