CHAPTER 1: SOLEMN

"She was already dying. But she faught. She's still fighting, because she still wants to live. She also don't want to leave her family, but she also dont want to burden them anymore."

***

To be continued..

Solemn heaved a sigh, the moment he finished typing the last part of the current chapter of the novel he's currently working on. There's still two more chapters left for this novel to be completed.

The journey is nice though.. Maybe for him?

Thinking about it...

Solemn still remembers the very first time he wrote and started writing this story. When he was still in the midst of planning and deciding.

Writing this story was not a piece of cake for Solemn, actually. He had a hard time writing this story, since masyadong mahirap at complicated ang plot ng kwentong ito. He just can't write what goes in his mind, right? He knows that he needs to plan and think of it thoroughly to create a better art or masterpiece.

Since, like what they say masterpiece isn't a thing you can do instantly, it takes time.

Though it's still his fault for creating a story so complicated like this. But as a writer wala siyang pinagsisihan. In fact he's even thankful that right now he almost finished done writing anotyer story. It's his hobby and dream. To create crafts that would people love.

There's also one more thing. Wala siyang pinagsisihan since he made this story for someone

Someone he loved and cared dearly.

It's just quite sorrowful since I wrote this story is based on a real life experience... and events. It was based on her and made for her.

A story that is all about a girl. A girl who's suffering from a disease.

Lung Cancer.

SOLEMN

Halos buwan narin nung huli akung makapagpublish ng update sa kwento. I keep recieving text messages from my readers in the app where i'm posting my stories, to continue my updates kaya sinubukan kong makapag-update despite of my busy and hectic schedule.

Before, I can just update my stories everyday or whenever I want too, since i'm not really that busy... Kahit saan, kahit kailan, pwedeng-pwede. But now, Even though I really want too and I also really love to write. I now, is a busy old guy, working in a famous restaurant here in Manila, where we serve high class food and cater parties. I am currently the manager there for almost a year now after getting promoted. by my late boss.

Napahikab ako ulit. I think it was pretty late now. I looked at the clock in my room above the ceiling and saw that it was 10:14'o clock. Pretty late.

I should be early tomorrow. As a manager I don't want to be late so dapat na kung matulog, I want to be a good leader to all the Resto crews.

Before that. I published the update I made. Just seconds of posting it, I received tons of likes and comments.

This story is kinda famous, really huh?

I was writing since I was like a highscool student. It became a passion of mine. Back then, it was still ebook. Then I was introduced to many platforms that welcomes writers. I created my account and posted my stories. But there's one thing that I did not reveal.

It's my identity.

I still want some Privacy though, so I hid my identity. Even though my stories are quiete famous. I don't attend booksigning events. No one really knows who am I... Except, to my stories publishers.

I know as soon as I reveal my identity bantay lahat ng bawat galaw ko. I don't want something like that. I am also a human too, whi wants freedom.A simple introverted old guy who wants to live a simple and normal life.

I closed my laptop after that and decided to do my night chores, before going to sleep.

....

My sleep was interrupted when I heard my phone rang. I picked up the phone immediately that's located at my table and looked at the screen. It was my friend, Drake. I answered his call.

"Hey Bro, Whazzup?" I heard him say.

I grunt, while strenching my arms, it felt really weak. Bumangon ako at umupo.

"Shhhh. Just tell me what do you want? I't was still 5:00 in the morning and you woke me up. Make sure it's important." Pikit mata kung ani. Right now i'm still really tired.

"Kalma. Di ba kita pwede kumustahin." I heard him laugh. I know this guy's just trying to mess with me.

Kainis. Kung diko lang to kaibigan malamang binabaan kona to.

"Just what do you want? Stop pestering me." I calmly said.

"Manghihiram ako ng pera" He simply asked. Napakunot yung noo ko.

"Huh? Really? Sa yamang mong yan manghihiram kapa? Baka ako panga yung dapat manghiram. Come on Bro, quit fooling around... Sabihin mona kasi, just stop messing with me." I plainly said.

"Ok, Ok Fine." Him, Laughing.

He then continued.

"Tomorrow Evening. Come with me. Puro ka nalang trabaho. Enjoy ka naman."

I rolled my eyes.

"Am I? Nevermind. Saan ba?"

"Sa Fuentes."

"Huh? You serious? That's a bar right."

"Ba't alam mo?" He confusely asked.

"Why would I not? When that bar is only located near at the place I work? "

He laughed. "Oo ngano?"

"Yes."

"Well by the way, basta sama ka ha?"

I shake my head off.

I'm not really into noisy places. Ayaw ko sa mga lugar na iyon. He knows that. Hindi ako sasama, and that's final!

"No."

"Ba't?" He panicked after hearing that. lSolemn naman. Minsan lang eh wag kang Killjoy."

"You knew that I'm not fond of those places. Sasama naman ako, yung maayos naman."

"Maayos naman don ah. Maraming chicks don. Ayaw mo?"

I heaved a sigh before answering.

"I dont care."

"Psh. Bagay na bagay talagang pangalan mo sa personality mo, walang duda. Kung hindi mo lang talaga girlfriend noon yung kapatid ko magdududa talaga akung bakla ka."

I was silent.

He continued.

"Bro, pasensya na ha. Sorry to open up this topic, but... I know you really love my sister. But I think you should move on."

"I've already moved on. I already accepted the fact that she's dead." I replied.

I don't want to talk about it.

"Ba't ba tayo napunta doon?"

"Nevermind. By the way sorry for that, sorry for being insensitive. Basta ka bukas huh? Actually may i me-meet up ako sa bar. Ipapakilala ko din sainyo."

I felt my emotions is overtaking me. I need to end our conversation now...  I don't have a choice but to agree. Ayaw kung malaman niya na naman na i'm still crumying on her...

" That's fine. Ok, i'll come."

"Thanks Bro,"

After that I dropped the call. I felt something wet in my eyes... A single tear rolled down in my eyes.

I still really can't forget about her, huh?

I admit I still miss her. Siya ang pinaka unang babaeng minahal ko. I trusted my heart on her. But she left me.

I felt my tears fall. I just let them. It still really hurt even though a year have passed now since her death.

I always blame myself. If only I knew. If only I knew sooner that she's sick, then I might have do something to help her. I was blinded by my own selfishness, problems and hatry. She's there to help me, everytime, to listen.... But i'm not there to help her.

It's my fault. I blame myself.

I have many regrets. But I know she won't come back. Hindi kona mababalik ang nakaraan. Ang tanging magagawa ko lang ay ang magpatuloy kahit wala na siya.

I can really say that...

"Regret Is always at the End."

***

"10:00 am."

Saktong dating ko sa resto. I was about to park when I saw a crew member running towards me. Papunta sya sa sasakyan ko.

Binuksan ko ang bintana ng makalapit siya.

"Sir!" She blurted while still catching her breath.

"Wait I'll park first." I said. Tumango naman siya.

After ko maka park, bumaba ako sa sasakyan at tyaka nilapitan siya.

"Is there any problem?" I asked curious of what's happening.

"Yes, Sir! Emergency po!" She said.

I heaved a sigh. Problem, huh? Tsk.

" What is it?" I seriously asked her."

"A special VIP costumer is looking for you." Aniya habang kinakamot yung ulo niya.

Napatango ako. Well for a minute, I thought it was crucial. Not really a big deal after all.

" Nasaan siya ngayon?" I asked.

"Nasa office nyo po. Naghihintay, pinapasok kona po kasi."

Tumango ako and thanked her bago nag lakad

papunta sa Resto to meeet the guy she's referring too.

After entering the Resto, I instantly marched trough my office where, I saw a middle aged man sitting in our visitor's chair.

I reached my hand to him and he accepted it.

"Hello, I'm Solemn Von Alegre. I am currently the manager here at this Resto. Can I ask for your name?" I formally said. While preparing to sit on my chair.

"Oh, I'm David Landerson. I'm the secretary of Mr. Alexander Alexus, the CEO of Naih Corp." He said while a certain smile is plastered on his face.

I asked and offered him to sit again.

"It's really nice meeting you, sire. What can I do for you, by the way?"

"Oh actually, we heard a lot of good comments in your resto, from the company you last catered. They say your Resto cater the best foods. So my boss wants you to cater his wedding." He said.

A smile formed in my lips.

" Yes, thank you. That's not a problem. We do serve high class foods and it's really big opportunity for us to cater his wedding. We willingly accept it. So when and where will be the wedding held?"! I asked him formally.

" In the Chateau de Croc in Cebu. This 20th of september. Next next week.

"Ok that's not a problem. I just need you to sign some papers and we're all set."

Since hindi naman occupied yung Resto. It's really fine to accept his request. Also I can't say no since I know it could benefit the Resto.

He nooded.

After I got the copy of the paper he needs to sign, in my office cabinet. I gave it to him. Binasa mona nya ang nakasaad doon at syaka pinirmahan.

I stood up and reached my hand to him after he gave me the paper back with his sign.

"We'll everything is settled. Thank you for choosing us Mr. David."

He accepted.

"Yes, thank you also. I'm taking my leave now."

I nooded and smiled, then I bid him farewell.

Napaupo ako sa swivel chair matapos non. Nakatambak sa desk ko ang mga papeles na kailangan kung pirmahan. It's really gonna be a long and tiring day.

***

Love Gatekeeper,

At the multimeadia: You're very own, Solemn