Apr 25, 2013

When the Fireworks Begin (Chapter XXX)


A few hours before midnight, and finally the tears stopped coming.  James cannot exactly say when the tears stopped rolling. He didn’t even notice the darkening shadows, the more frequent booming sounds, the night sky slowly becoming ablaze. 

The video camera which has stopped playing hours ago, remain lying on the grass.  James was resting his head on top of his knees, fiddling with his wedding ring. 

He remembered.

We always go so well together, Devon commented. She was lying on her back, buried on the thin blankets, cradled in James’ arms.  James pulled her naked body towards his.

Just like mangga and bagoong, James added.

Couldn’t you think of anything else, Devon laughed.

Okay. Like tuyo and champorado, James said, nuzzling his head in Devon’s hair, inhaling its fragrance.

What, Devon exclaimed, smacking his thigh.

Ouch, James reacted. Why don’t you think of one then.

Like salted eggs and tomatoes, Devon started.

Okay. Sounds good, what else, James asked.

Hmmm. I guess puto and dinuguan, Devon answered.

James started to kiss Devon’s neck, the sensitive spot behind her ear.

What about suman and tsokolate or coffee, Devon interrupted. 

All this talk about food is making me hungry, James answered. His lips became busy in planting soft kisses in Devon’s face and neck.

Are you hungry, Devon asked, her eyes fluttering because of the sensations her husband was giving her.

I am hungry for something else, James mumbled before claiming Devon’s lips.

You naughty man, Devon countered before fully kissing James back.

They chuckled and succumbed to their passion under their sheets.

James closed his eyes hoping that it will be enough to keep the memories away.  He heard a car pulling over, he looked behind him and saw Sam’s car.

Sam quietly sat beside him. The minutes passed, the gaps between the fireworks shooting up in the sky becoming shorter.  Perhaps, it was almost midnight. 

“Are you still staying here,” Sam asked, glancing at James.

James shook his head. 

“No,” James quietly answered.  “I know she’ll never come back.”

Sam patted James’ back.

“How can I...” James voice trailed, thinking of how he will survive the forthcoming days without her.

“One step at a time,” Sam encouraged. 

James looked at Sam and gave him a small smile.

“Thanks,” James said.

Sam did not reply, instead he remained seated besides James for a few more minutes. 

“I can give you a ride home,” Same offered.

“You go ahead, I want to watch the fireworks for a while,” James answered.

Sam patted James again.  He gave his best friend a sad look, before pulling him for a hug. After Sam left, James continued sitting and reminiscing.

What the hell are you doing, James shouted on top of his lungs.

Devon was dancing to the loud music while taking the soapy laundry out of the washing machine.

Doing laundry, Devon shouted back.

Are you deaf, James shouted again, he walked towards the blaring radio to turn it down but Devon pulled him towards her.

Let’s dance, Devon giggled.

And they danced in the middle of their dirty laundry, water basins, and soap suds. 

James memories were interrupted by a loud bang.  A shower of red and green lights occupied the entire sky.  It was followed by another shower of golden and silver stars.  The city started to shake with the loud screams, hoots of the horn, steel water basins hitting the floor.  The entire city was celebrating.

James sat on his spot and watched the sky turned into a beautiful battlefield of colors and lights.  After several minutes, the noise started to turn down, the fireworks started to get fewer, the sky slowly reverting to its blackness. The midnight has passed.

James stood up and took a deep breath.  He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away from the spot where he has been waiting for the last few days. He started to walk towards his car which was parked a little further down the road.  He was such in a hurry the last time, afraid that he would miss her coming, that he just parked it on the sidewalk.

As he slowly walks away from his waiting spot, he heard a loud bang.  He turned around and saw a purple shower, followed by dancing red lights.  The swirling lights continued to shoot up in the sky, one after the other.  It glued him on his spot. 

If Devon would just be able to see this tonight, she would be over the moon.

If only...

As if the universe has understood his deepest desire, a shimmering light spiralled upwards before it exploded into a blue shower with streaks of silver.  It was followed by another, then another, and then another.

It was Devon’s favourite color.  It was the most apt goodbye he could ever say to her.   He stared at the sky, hoping that Devon was able to see it.  Amongst the clouds, she has the best seat.

Oblivious to his surroundings, James did not notice another pair of flickering lights. 

****

There are people who have to work even in holidays.  A delivery truck, full of food items was passing down the road they have frequently passed.  They have passed it so many times, that the driver already knew the curves and bumps like the back of his hand.

“This is so bad,” said the driver.  “It’s New Year, and I am stuck here.”

He expected someone to answer, but nobody answered.  He looked at his buddy and saw his workmate already dead to the world.

“Sonofa...” he muttered.  His workmate was able to sleep and yet he was still driving.

He was startled by the blast of fireworks.  He looked out of his window and saw the fireworks display starting in the city below him. 

He was tired. He has been driving nonstop for three consecutive days.  The boom and loud noise isn’t helping in keeping his eyes open.  In a curve earlier, he has found himself closing his eyes a bit.  It is dangerous, he thought of resting for a bit once he found a wide flat area. 

They are going downhill and another curve was coming.  He eased on his gas and tried to push his brakes.  He mentally noted to have his truck’s brakes tested. Lately, he noticed that he has to step on the brakes three times before the truck would actually stop.

The driver was really becoming tired.  His eyes were becoming heavier, and then for a brief second, his eyes closed. 

A loud bang quickly shook him up.  And then he saw it, he was already off the road and swerving to the side instead.  He thought he saw somebody ahead, but it was useless.  Everything was happening fast.

He tried to hit his brakes.

One.  Not enough.

Two. One more.

But it was too late.

****

James watched the fireworks nearing its end.  He was about to go to his car when he finally noticed the lights. It was coming fast. 

Was it a car? Was it a truck?  Or was it just his imagination?

The next thing he knew he was flying.  Something has hit him and it has sent him on air.  He heard a loud thud. 

Something hit the ground. Was it him? James has no idea.

He felt nothing, he felt numb. They say that when accidents happen, you feel pain.  But all that he feels was numbness.

Sir, oh my god, he heard men voices.  There was shouting.  He cannot understand what they were saying.

Shit, he heard more cursing.

He was lying on the grass, the darkness made it difficult to see the blood seeping through it.  James tried to move, he wanted to stand up. But he can’t.  And then he felt a sharp pain in his head, it felt worse than a headache.

James was lying face-up, with the sky in his complete view.  He thought he saw another pair of lights streaking into the dark midnight sky. 

And then he remembered. 

They were lying on Devon’s hospital bed.  It was before Devon’s surgery for her trache. 

James has managed to inch himself beside Devon, despite all the wires and tubes attached to her.

“I love you,” Devon whispered.

“And I love you too,” James answered.

“Will you love me forever?” Devon asked.

“Technically, I can’t promise you forever. Nobody lives forever,” James joked.

“Stop being a smart-ass,” Devon mumbled, but she was smiling. 

“Will you love me for the rest of my life?” Devon asked again.

James leaned forward and whispered against her lips. 

“I will love you for the rest of mine,” James lovingly whispered before kissing her softly.

The two streaks of lights erupted like cascading stars. A small star seems to be falling towards James.  It came nearer and nearer. 

They look familiar, James thought. 

As the lights come closer, he saw a familiar face. James smiled.  He was finally at peace. 

The blinding brightness was the last thing James saw before he closed his eyes.



END

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank for this wonderful story....


great ending............



“I will love you for the rest of mine,” James lovingly whispered before kissing her softly.

- nayrjade

Anonymous said...

waaaahhhh!!!!grabeh!!!sakit sa puso naman ang story na toh!!!sobrang nakakaiyak!!! but indeed,it was such a nice story!!!hindi ko lang inexpect that they would die!!huhu>>

....their lovestory will continue in heaven i guess!!hehe

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