#TheRebelsRival

chapter theme:  gone too soon - simple plan

"Condolence," sambit ni Heath.

Tipid na ngumiti si Slade at tumango. Itinuro niya ang isang bilugang mesa kung saan nakaupo sina Chewy at Big Troy. "Upo ka lang doon kasama nila. Tapos kung gusto mong magsalita mamaya, mayroong hawak na listahan si Silver. Sina Jao at Vinny naman, lumabas lang sandali. Magpa-practice ata anong sasabihin."

Tumango naman si Heath at tipid ding ngumiti kahit pa sobrang bigat ng kalooban niya habang nakikita ang kaibigan sa ganitong kalagayan; humihinga ngunit tila ba walang kabuhay-buhay.

"We're here for you, Man. All the time." Tinapik ni Heath ang balikat ni Slade.

Muli, tipid ni ngumiti si Slade.

Nang makaalis si Heath, nanatili si Slade na nakatayo sa gilid ng pinto suot ang kulay itim na t-shirt ni Reika na pinaibabawan niya ng kulay itim na polo. Nilibot niya ang paningin sa loob ng restaurant na espesyal para sa kanilang dalawa ng dalaga.

Okupado na ang karamihan sa mga mesa ngunit may mga natitira pang bakante. Gaya ng paboritong kulay ng kasintahan, nakasuot din ng kulay itim ang lahat.

Dumako ang tingin niya sa maliit na stage at nakita niya si Silver na tahimik na inaayos ang mic stand. Gaya niya, namumugto rin ang walang kabuhay-buhay nitong mga mata.

Napatingin si Slade sa malaking litrato ni Reika na nasa tabi lang ng mic stand. Napapalibutan ito ng mga bulaklak na pinaghalong kulay puti at itim ayon na rin sa gusto nito.

Ang litrato ni Reika. Hindi napigilan ni Slade na mapapaitig sa mukha ng kasintahan. Sa ngiti at mga mata nitong kailanman ay hindi na niya ulit masisilayan.

"Slade?"

Mabilis na napalingon si  Slade at nakita niya ang mga magulang na kararating lang. Niyakap siya agad ng kanyang ina at tinapik naman ng ama ang kanyang balikat.

"Slade, pwede kang maupo na lang doon. Andiyan naman ang mga kaibigan ninyo," wika ng ama pero tumango pa rin si Slade at ngumiti.

"Anak, kung hindi na kaya, magsabi ka lang ha?" hinaplos naman ng ina ang kanyang pisngi.

"Okay lang po ako," paniniguro ni Slade sa mga ito. "Para naman po ito sa kanya."

Kapwa tumango ang kanyang mga magulang at nagtungo sa mesa kung saan naroroon ang nagluluksang mga magulang ni Reika, pati na rin si Drummer na hindi maintindihan kung nasaan ang kapatid.

Nang makaalis ang mga magulang, kasunod namang dumating sina Riley, Benji, at Ned na dala ang mga sanggol. 

"Uy, Hi Ned!" bati agad ni Slade sa anak ni Lorenzo at bahagyang tinapik ang pisngi nito gamit ang hintuturo. Kasunod naman niyang nilapitan ang sanggol na karga ni Benji. "Any name for her yet?" tanong niya rito.

Tumango naman si Benji at ngumiti. 

Dumako ang tingin ni Slade kay Riley at naglaho ang ngiti sa mukha niya nang makitang taas-noo si Riley ngunit tumatagaktak na ang luha nito habang nakatingin ang mga mata sa direksyon ng stage kung saan naroroon ang litrato ni Reika.

"Riley, no tears," pabiro niyang paalala kay Riley.

Agad siyang sinamaan ni Riley ng tingin. Akala niya tatarayan siya nito kaya natawa na lang siya nang mabilis siyang nilapitan at niyakap ni Riley.

"She'll be proud of you." Riley choked back tears.

Tears began to brim in Slade's eyes as well. "She was always proud of me. Always."

Bumitiw si Riley at ngumiti nang malapad habang tumatango. 

Nang makaalis ang mga ito at naiwan ulit siya siyang mag-isa sa kinatatayuan, napatingala siya at pilit na pinigilan ang mga luhang nagpaparamdam. "Baby, give me strength."

Nagbaba ng tingin si Slade at marahas na napabuntong-hininga. His feet buckled  as he moistened his lips and wiped the bits of tears under his eyes. Wala sa sarili siyang napalingon at nakunot ang kanyang noo nang makita si Haji sa labas ng restaurant. Hindi gumagalaw at nakatulala lang.

Huminga siya nang malalim at tinulak ang pinto pabukas saka lumabas.

"Ba't hindi ka pa pumapasok?" tanong niya at natigilan siya nang makita ang luhaan nitong mukha.

"I.. I blew her off..." Haji's lips trembled as he cried. He tried to grit his lips but it only turned into an uncontrollable pout. Haji cried like a little boy upon remembering the last time she talked to Reika. The way she begged him to come and the way he lied, giving her false hope. "M-minsan lang siya kung humingi ng pabor pero binigo ko siya." 

Slade swallowed hard as his jaw tightened. He heaved a deep sigh as he tried to understand that holding a grudge will do no good. That everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes there's just no way to fix it. That hating won't do anything to bring Reika De Juan back.

And he understood Haji's predicament.. because just like him, he had something to regret about that night as well.

"You're a bucket of nuts but you were like a brother to Reika. It would mean a lot to her if you'll talk about her tonight. Good memories. Happiest ones," Slade said. "Pumasok ka na doon, nasa loob na sina Jethro."

Lalo lamang umiyak si Haji. Tila ba nawala ang lahat ng inhibisyon nito dahil sa labis na lungkot at pagsisisi. "Pinuntahan ko dapat si Reika... kahit siya lang, dapat pumunta pa rin ako."

Pilit na pinigilan ang sarili niyang luha. Nilapitan niya si Haji at niyakap ito saka tinapik-tapik ang balikat. "Come on, Man. We all have to get it together. She won't be happy seeing us like this."

Bumitiw si Slade at humakbang nang isang beses paatras. Nakita niyang kinukusot ni Haji ang mga mata ngunit iyak pa rin ito nang iyak. Naaintindihan niya ito ngunit nang sandaling iyon ay marami siyang inaalala. 

Nilibot ni Slade ang paningin, naghahanap ng makakaalalay kay Haji papasok. Nakita niya na pumarada ang isang sasakyan at lumabas mula rito si Stacy na isa rin sa mga kaibigan ni Reika. Nang makababa, sinenyasan niya agad ito na lumapit.

"Hey? Everything okay?" Stacy's voice was sweet and delicate as she approached.

"Pasok na kayo ni Haji sa loob," Slade said and Stacy understood what he meant right away.

"Tara na, maraming lamok dito," Stacy nudged Haji and led him inside. 

When Slade was left all alone in the dark-lit pavement, he heaved a deep sigh and looked up at the dark star-filled sky. "Give them some strength too. I never thought I'd ever get to see Haji like that."

Slade returned inside the restaurant and continued helping out with the preparations before it could start. His heart was heavy but he still managed to direct everyone on how the night will go down and how they will honor Reika. He was able to greet every who came with a smile and calm demeanor.

He was tired and feeling empty but for Reika De Juan, there was nothing he wouldn't do.

"Hey Hawthorns," he smiled at the family of three when they came inside the door. Denver was carrying their little bundle of Joy while Braylee was already in tears.

Braylee quicky ran up to him and hugged him tight as she cried, "Sorry! I should've been there that night! Sorry!"

"Braylee, it's okay." Slade tried to smile as he consoled and hugged her back. "Tahan na, nalulungkot si Reika sa tuwing nakikita ka niyang umiiyak," he reminded her.

Braylee immediately took a deep breath as she nodded. She let go of Slade and took a step back. But no matter how much she tried to stop her tears, they just won't stop from falling.

Slade smiled. "Bubbles Powerpuff, punta na kayo doon. Kanina pa kayo hinihintay nina Piper at Apollo."

Tumango muli si Braylee at yumakap sa bewang ni Denver. 

"Reika's lucky to have you, Man," sambit naman ni Denver na lubos din ang lungkot sa mga mata.

"It's the other way around," Slade corrected with a smile. 

Slade glanced at his wristwatch. It was about 7 in the evening. All of the tables were already occupied and there were only frew vacant chairs left. He approached the table of Reika's closest friends when he saw that it had one vacant chair.

"Where's Sawyer?" he asked upon realizing that he hasn't seen Reika's best friend ever since her death. 

"Does that boy even know Reika's dead?" Riley scoffed.

"Riley," Benji spoke calmly right away.

Riley sighed and held benji's hand, the other one caressing the cheek of their sleeping infant.

"I saw his car outside?" Apollo spoke with eyebrows furrowed. "I thought he was already here?" he added as he exchanged a confused look with Piper.

"I'll go look for him," Cohen stood up while carrying his infant son on his arms.

"Akin na si Ned, ako muna kakarga," Lucho offered and laid out his hand excitedly.

"Did you even wash your hand after going to the restroom?" Cohen scoffed making Lucho frown.

"Akin na," Warren offered but Cohen grimaced. "Bakit? Naghugas naman ako ng kamay ah?"

"Save your arguments, Braylee's on the way. Leave it to my wife," Denver spoke, making all of them look and eventually follow Braylee on her way out.

Slade, along with their friends, followed Braylee to the parking lot. They saw her knock on the window of Sawyer's car. When nothing happened, Braylee took it upon herself to open a door and there Sawyer was, sitting in his car with a blank expression while looking straight ahead of his steering wheel.

Sawyer's eyes were red and swollen, looking lifeless. His pale face was slightly bearded and he looked like he hasn't even slept for days. He looked so different from old Eric Thomasson Sawyer they all knew. 

"Tommy?" Braylee spoke with her sweet voice as she knelt down and held Sawyer by the arm.

"Th-this can't be real. Sh-she's not dead, she can't be dead." Sawyer's voice was weak and blank. He showed no emotion in his face, not even tears. His face was just blank like he has already grown numb. 

Braylee couldn't help but tear up, their other friends as well. Except for Slade who just stood there while looking straight ahead with a blank expression.

"W-why her? Why couldn't it just be me?" Sawyer added, immobile.

"Sawyer, the thing is," Braylee paused to wet her lips and took a deep breath. "We have no control over anyone's death. It happens and we can't do anything but appreciate every waking moment while we--"

"Tonight's not about you, Sawyer. Nor any of us." Slade cut them off nonchalantly. His voice was as blank and emotionless as Silvers, even more. "We're all here for Reika. We're here to remember her, not to sulk in our own guilt and issues. Let's give this night to Reika. if any of you can't do that, you can go home."

And with that, Slade started walking back to the restaurant. On the way, he couldn't help but glance at the sidewalk filled with flowers and burning candles. On the same spot were Reika was found bleeding to death. 

Slade choked back his tears and shook his head. "Tonight's about you. The good things. Just the good things," he whispered.

****

"Silver, kaya pa ba ni Slade?" Riley's voice was full of worry as he watched over Slade who was busy checking on the guests and making sure everyone's comfortable especially Reika's parents and her little brother.

"This is the only thing that's keeping him together, doing stuff for Reika," Silver spoke calmly as she sat on the corner of the table. She no longer looked stone-cold, she had emotion on her face and voice, nothing but sadness.

"Buti naman," Benji spoke making both Silver and Riley turn to the door's direction.

They saw Sawyer enter. He looked so devastated that he couldn't even look up. Braylee quickly approached him and guided him towards their table.

"Good Evening."  Everyone's attention shifted to the small wooden stage and found Rico De Juan, Reika's father, standing right in front of them. Just like them he was wearing black and a sad smile.

"M-masaya akong makita na m-maraming nagmamahal sa anak ko," Rico paused as he looked up and choked on his tears. He wiped them off right away and faced the crowd once more. "My Reika was a firecracker. Tahimik lang siya sa simula pero kapag nasimulan, hindi ka tatantanan ng batang 'yon. Hindi alam ng lahat pero noong bata pa siya, nabigyan siya ng Most Behaved award. Akalain n'yo iyon, may nauto pala ang anak ko," he relayed making the crowd laugh despite of the sadness everyone was under.

Rico laughed but then his laughter turned into an uncontrollable sob. He tried to keep himself to keep himself together but in the end, he was betrayed by his own emotions. As the crowd teared up with him, Slade quickly walked up the stage and assisted him down the stage and into the table where his wife and youngest son sat.

Rico quickly hugged Abbey and they cried holding each other. Young Drummer could do nothing but watch in confusion and sadness. 

"Kuya, darating na ba si Ate?" Drummer asked Slade. 

No matter how many times they explained Drummer the concept of death, the child still won't stop asking and waiting for his sister to come home.

Slade froze, unable to break Drummer's heart all over again. Noticing the exchange, Rico and Abbey hugged their son.

Reika's immediate family began to walk up the stage one by one to talk about Reika and their fondest memories of her. Everyone kept smiling, even laughing despite of the sadness. 

After Reika's family, Riley was the first among the friends to walk up the stage. He carried the baby girl with him. The guests adored them when they saw that Riley and the baby were wearing the same black overalls. 

"Hey everyone!" Riley greeted with his usual upbeat voice despite of the sadness in his swollen eyes. But the moment Riley glanced at the photo of Reika right next to him, he couldn't help but swallow hard as his breathing hitched. 

"I... I gave Reika De Juan so much pain," Riley couldn't help but admit as his eyes pooled up with tears again. "Despite of that, Reika De Juan gave me the best gift ever," he added as he glanced at the days-old baby in his shoulders.

"To be clear, hindi ko nabuntis si Reika ha? Jusko talaga, mabubugbog ako ni Slade," he remarked his usual upbeat and sarcastic tone which made everyone laugh. Even Slade. 

For the first time ever since Reika died, they actually got to laugh without any pretension at all.

"Anyway," Riley sighed. "Before we get to that part, let me talk about Reika Magno De Juan, ang pambansang lokaret ng Filimon Heights. Sa sobrang pagka-lokaret, nagkagusto pa talaga sa akin. No offense, Slade Villafranca." Muli, nagtawanan ang lahat. 

Natatawang nag-taas ng mga kamay si Slade. 

"Not everyone knows this but Reika and I were best friends back in high school, pero nasaktan ko siya. Imbes na magalit sa akin, aba sinundan pa talaga ako ng loka sa Filimon Heights. Marami kaming pinagdaanan niyan eh pero sa huli, solid pa rin kami. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilandaang beses 'yang dumamoves sa akin, hindi na ko rin mabilang kung ilang beses na akong muntik ma-stroke dahil sa kanya," Riley paused as he choked on his tears. Still, he continued to talk, "d-daming kalokohan ni Reika. Andun na 'yong lagi niya akong ginugulat kaya minsan nadadapa ako at nalalaglag sa hagdan dahil sa kanya... pero dahil di sa kalokohan niya, nakilala ang partner ko." Riley smiled lovingly at Benji.

"I love you," Benji mouthed to Riley.

"I love you," Riley mouthed as well.

He glanced at the baby in his arms. "Aside from my Benji, Reika gave me another reason to be happy, and i'm holding it now. This child, this child that I never even knew I wanted." Riley looked up and the crowd and smiled through his tears. "Una, nagtaka ako at nag-alala, bakit sa lahat kaming dalawa pa ni Benji? Sa kabila nito, pinagbigyan namin si Reika, we thought maybe we could just foster the baby for a few days while we're sorting things out... but we found ourselves loving this little bundle of joy. Still, we were scared, so scared to even name the child, thinking we might still end up losing her," Riley cried, losing all of inhibitions. "B-but after losing Reika, we don't want to lose anyone anymore. We're done losing the people we love. We love this child and we would die just to protect her. Come hell or high water, we are this baby's Fathers now.  She's our daughter. We're family and I won't let anyone take my baby away from me. I will protect her, even die for her. And I will forever be thankful to Reika for giving her to me."

Riley cried inconsolably, unable to speak. Seeing this, Benji got up the stage and wrapped his arm around Riley's shoulders and assisted Riley's arm that held their bundle of joy.

Benji smiled at the crowd. "Reika saw something in us that we didn't even see in ourselves. We are forever grateful to her because if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have this kind of happiness, we wouldn't have our daughter."

Riley nodded as he gasped in tears. "And we finally have a name for her."

Benji and Riley both looked at each other and smiled.

"A few months ago, Reika and our friend Jethro had this bet... that the loser would name his or her child after the other," Riley explained.

"Reika lost because it turns out, Jethro was able to teach Moo some doggy tricks," Benji chuckled.

All of a sudden, everyone's eyes were on Jethro. The poor guy sank to his seat as he smiled awkwardly over the unwanted attention.

Riley smiled from ear to ear. "As a way to honor Reika, we are honoring the bet she couldn't. So everyone, this is our daughter, Jethro Reigina Bognacia-Benjamin."

*****

As the friends started taking turns up the stage to talk about Reika, Silver couldn't help but drink from her glass of champagne. She looked at her friends one by one, the more she sees them, the more she thinks about the heartbreak they caused.

"Silver, your turn."

Silver snapped out from her reverie and wiped the tears under her eyes. She placed the glass on the table before standing up, but as she did, her knees buckled, making her friends worry. Still, Silver dismissed their worries and got up the stage.

Silver's tired and gloomy eyes settled on the table where her friends sat. A sad smile crept up her face as she spoke, "Do you know what's funny? Reika De Juan doing whatever she could just to see all of us together at one place again. We didn't give her that until it's too late."

And just like that, everyone fell silent, her friends in tears.

"She succeeded though. She was finally able to gather us together at one place... pero kompleto na nga tayo, wala naman siya." Tuluyang napaiyak si Silver sa harapan ng lahat. Pagak siyang napahalakhak at napatitig sa litrato ng kaibigan. "Nangako ka na walang iwanan diba?"

Slade was about to come up the stage and take Silver away when she spoke again.

"My Reika De Juan was more than just a friend to me, she was my sister. Hell, we were even closer than my brother. I was her Villafranca #1 while my brother was Villafranca #2." Silver wiped her tears using her trembling hands. "Tulungan pa naming inaaway at kinukulit si Slade. I kinda think she loved me more than she loved my brother," she joked despite the tears.

Some of the guests laughed at Silver's banter, while Slade could only sigh and stay at his place. He's worried about her.

"Reika was a chill person, so chill na hahayaan ka lang niya sa gusto mong gawin hangga't sa hindi mo pinapahamak ang iba o ang sarili mo. She cares a lot though, and by a lot, I mean A LOT. She cared so much but she was just shy to say or admit it. She wasn't good at words but she was good at making you feel like you're amazing even if you feel otherwise. She wasn't good at cooking but she was really good at eating," Silver paused just to laugh at the memory that suddenly popped up her mind. "Naalala ko pa, nagpa-deliver ako ng isang box ng pizza kaso nakatulog ako. Nang magising, naubos na niya ang Pizza. Pinagbintangan pa niya ang kawawang si Slade kahit wala naman talaga si Slade sa bahay nang araw na iyon." She laughed.

"She was also very supportive, so supportive that she let me practice pricking needles on her arm kahit halos mamutla na siya sa daming beses ko siyang natusok at nakunan ng dugo. Tapos every time may kaibigan siyang nai-injure, she'll call me right away para raw maka-practice ako ng wound dressing. Knowing Reika, she kept doing that for two reasons: Because she wanted me to learn and improve, and the fact that she wanted her friends to be safe and well at all times." Silver wiped her tears once more as she smiled at Reika's photo. "But Reika De Juan isn't Reika De Juan without her shenanigans. There's one time she gave me a plate of oreos, but it turns out to have toothpaste instead of the usual cream! Imagine her effort, separating the biscuits just to scrape the cream off and replace it with toothpaste. There was also this one time Reika and I both got drunk, so drunk that we accidentally entered the wrong car thinking it was Sawyer's! Hiyang-hiya kami dahil nagsisigaw pa talaga ang babae, akala niya carjackers kami!"

Silver made a lot of people smile and laugh as she recounted some funny memories of Reika. After her, it was Haji's turn to come up the stage.

Haji was still in tears, in fact everyone was worried he might not be able to talk at all.

As he stood right in front of the crowd, he tried to smile as he wiped his tears using his trembling hands. "Reika De Juan was my first love."

All of a sudden, there was a complete silence among the table where his friends sat. Even Slade didn't saw it coming.

Haji chuckled as he looked down and scratched the edge of his thick eyebrow. "It's hard to believe since we're at each other's throats most of the time, but it's true. She was my first love. I mean, who wouldn't love Reika De Juan?"

He smiled as he glanced at her photo. "We were in the same elementary school, pareho kaming laging tumatambay sa playground. Noong bata pa, lagi akong tinutukso ng mga kaklase ko, kasi nga raw Bumbay ako. Pikon ako noong bata pa eh kaya iyak ako nang iyak. At sa tuwing nangyayari iyon, nagtatago ako sa maliit na espasyo sa ilalim na espayosyo ng slide. Isang araw nakita niya akong umiiyak doon, bigla niya akong tinabihan. Tinanong niya ako at sinabi ko naman rason kung bakit, and with her little high pitched voice, she yelled at me 'Eh ano naman ngayon kung bumbay ka! Anong masama doon? May mga kaibigang bumbay si Papa, lahat madaming pera! At isa pa, pogi ka! Dami na ngang pera, pogi pa'," he laughed as he relayed. "What she said were a little childish, but for me during that time? It was everything. Ever since that pep talk, I actually felt really confident with myself. It was enough to make me come out of my shell. We became playground friends and I found myself liking her, even in love with her. Siguro nga malandi talaga ako kahit noong bata pa," he joked.

Everyone laughed even harder at Haji's words.

"I told Reika about how I felt. Siguro kasi mas bata siya sa akin, hindi niya iyon naintindihan. Ako naman, nagtampo agad. Pagkatapos noon, hindi ko siya kinakausap. Nanggigil ata siya kaya hayun sinaksak niya ako ng lapis. Nakonsensya din naman siya kaya araw-araw niya akong binibigyan ng kung ano-anong pagkain," Haji paused just to laugh, but as he laughed, his tears continued to stream down his eyes. "Kung gaano ako kabilis nagkagusto kay Reika, ganoon din kabilis nagbago ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya. Next thing I know, she was like a sister to me. Mas nagustuhan ko siya bilang kaibigan kahit pa minsan nagbabatukan at naghahampasan na kami ng kung ano-ano. After she left and came back to Filimon Heights, I felt so happy having her back in town. She was like the sister I never had. We were at each other's throat most of the time but I could always feel that she cares for me. Reika De Juan was one of my best friends... but as we went on to live different lives after college," Haji was as at loss of words as his tears continued to fall even harder. His last conversation with Reika repeated on his mind hauntingly.

"I will never forget my last conversation with Reika." Haji closed his eyes as he smiled. "She told me, she was proud of me... and so I will continue to make her even prouder."

After Haji, everyone's eyes went to Sawyer who was up next.

Sawyer went up the stage lifelessly. Everyone could tell the hell he's under just by the look of his sullen red eyes. As he looked at Reika's photo right next to him, his jaw stiffened as his breathing got ragged. His chest tightened as pain crossed his face.

"I'm coming to get him," Braylee sighed as she stood up but Piper was quick to hold her hand.

"Let's give him a few more minutes, dumbaby," Piper smiled at Braylee assuringly. "He can do it for Reika."

Braylee sat back and rested her head on Piper's shoulder; Piper held her by the waist.

For a minute or two, there was a complete silence until Sawyer cleared his throat.

He faced everyone at at the thought of Reika, he couldn't help but smile. "A-aside from being my best friend, Reika De Juan was like my sister. She was there at every ups and downs. She was there to cheer for me at my games, even cheered me on as I tried to go after the girl of my dreams. Reika De Juan always had a way to annoy me, and to make me smile. S-sobrang dami kong naalalang masasayang alaala kasama siya kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang ik-kwento ko rito sa harapan ninyong lahat. A-andun na 'yong minsan akong naglasing sa bar, ayokong pang umuwi kahit na anong pilit sa akin nina Magno. Nagulat na lang ako nang sumulpot si Reika na naka-pajama lang at may dala pang walis. She cared for me, so much... Maraming nanunukso sa amin, na baka may relasyon daw kami," Sawyer paused as bits of tears finally streamed down his face. "Reika and I always saw each other as siblings. Always. Kaya natatawa na lang kami sa mga nanunukso sa amin. I think one of the reasons why I never saw Reika as a woman because I didn't want to lose both Magno and Reika.. kasi parang kapatid na rin sila."

Natigilan si Sawyer at napatulala nang maalalang wala na ang dalawa sa kanyang tabi. Muling pumatak ang kanyang mga luha nang maalala ang huling beses niyang nakita at nakasama ang dalawa.

"I f-fucked up... I betrayed Reika," halos pabulong na sambit ni Sawyer. Nailunok niya ang ang nagbabadyang hikbi at pilit na ngumiti. "N-nagsungaling ako sa kanya at akala ko okay lang kasi sa huli, isasauli ko naman sa kanya ang cellphone. P-pero n-nawala ko iyon, sobra akong natakot na hindi na niya ako mapapatawad ulit. N-nakita ko na siya noong magalit sa mga taong nanloko sa kanya kaya akala ko kamumuhian niya rin ako. Alam na ngayon na mali ako... She was my best friend but I judged her wrong... I thought she won't ever forgive me. I let my fear and guilt control me that I ended up pushing her away... pushing both of them away. S-siguro nga mas pinairal ko rin ang pride ko kaya mas nauna akong magalit kahit ako naman 'yong may kasalanan."

Tuloy-tuloy pang pumatak ang luha ni Sawyer nang maalala ang huling gabi na nakita niya si Reika... kung paano ito ngumiti sa kanya at kung paano niya ito binalewala.

"I should've smiled at her... she was already reaching out but I ignored her," he cried. "I shouldn't have said those words. I shouldn't have fought them. I should've read that email earlier... I should've come that night for her. I should've told that I missed her too---" Sawyer couldn't but cry.

His friends quickly got up the stage and led him down towards their table where he continued to cry aimlessly. Sharing the same sentiments, together, the friends cried. It wasn't until Warren spoke that they put their attention up the stage again.

"I know we don't want to talk about that night, but this one, you guys have to hear," Warren smiled as he began his speech on top of the stage. His gentle smile and angelic aura was still there despite his swollen eyes. "I was with Reika on her last moments. I want to let you all know that she fought until the end. She fought so hard that we even thought she'd make it."

Warren choked back on his tears as he continued with a smile. "What I can assure you is that she didn't suffer long because she had really good memories to hold on to. She left without having any hate, any regrets, or any kind of disappointment towards anyone. She left with a smile on her face, remembering all the good moments she's ever had. She left loving everyone. And as she was rushed to the operating room, her last words to us were, remember me happily. And that's we should do. Reika remembered us happily, so we should give her that too."

Everyone stopped crying and applauded Warren. The friends continued to take their turn up the stage, until only one was left in the list.

All eyes were on Slade as he walked up the stage with a champagne glass on his hand. As he stood right in front of the microphone, he glanced at the photo of Reika and smiled. "I was only 15 and all I ever cared about was becoming a rockstar. And then I met my mentor and learned that he had an estranged daughter named Reika De Juan. I first saw her as this spoiled brat who lost the chance to grow up with her parents. I saw how much my mentor loved Reika so I decided to help. I became somehow a spy for Reika just to be able to capture her best moments and share them to his Father. Eventually, I found the perfect opportunity to help when I learned that she came home to Filimon Heights. Actually the plan was simple, to get close to Reika, befriend her so that she can open up and I'll have the chance to thaw her cold heart so she could have space for her parents again. In hindsight, I wanted to help, but she ended up helping me." He chuckled.

Slade heaved a deep sigh as he struggled to continue. "I thought I already had my life figured out but it took one unfortunate accident to open my eyes. The entire time, Reika was there to guide me. She believed in me, more than I ever believed myself. She had faith in me. She always made me feel like gold even if I was a piece of trash."

And in that moment, Slade's tears continued to fall mercilessly.

"Reika De Juan is the love of my life. She is my compass. She made me realize so many things about myself that I even didn't know. She opened my eyes to the greater things in life. She made me whole. I loved making music up the stage, but I'd rather stand in the crowd and enjoy the music with her." Slade looked at Reika's photo lovingly. "Reika and I, we started of as two bickering individuals. Until we became friends. The more I got to know her, the more I fell in love with her. The more time I spent with her, the more I didn't want to let go of her. And I was lucky because she felt the same. In her short life, I was lucky to have met and be loved by Reika De Juan. I was able to spend so many happy years with her. I felt what it was like being loved by Reika De Juan."

Slade wasn't able to hold back his sobs. For a few moments he stood up the stage and cried as he placed his trembling hand up his closed eyes.

Despite his sobbing, Slade tried to smile and talk. "Reika De Juan never abandons, that's the last thing she told me... and I understand it now. Because even if she's gone, I can still feel her love for me. Her memories are still here." He pointed his chest. "Death in uncontrollable. She may be dead but her love and memories aren't. That's enough for me to know that Reika De Juan hasn't left us. She's still here and as long as we still remember her, she will always be with us."

Slade raised his champagne glass. "Reika De Juan never abandons."

"Reika De Juan never abandons." Everyone uttered, raising their glasses.

****

As the dinner ended, people started to leave including Reika's immediate family. Meanwhile the group of friends remained; sitting together in a large table, drinking, just like the good old days. As they drank, all they talked about was Reika with tears and laughter.

"Reika once attended a class, drunk as hell. Kick out siya agad sabi ni Magno," kwento ni Jethro habang may maliit na ngiti sa kanyang mukha. "Gusto ko sanang ibahagi 'yon kanina kaso na mental block na ako."

"I wonder how Magno will handle this," Piper said nonchalantly, tired from crying just like the rest of them.

"We'll be here for him. All of us," Apollo assured Piper as he hugged her by the waist.

"I just realized something," sambit ni Lucho, pag-iiba ng usapan. Isa-isa niyang tinuro sina Denver at Apollo. "Based on your speech about Reika earlier, you guys actually used her to spy on your girls?"

"Hindi lang kami ah!" Hugas-kamay agad ni Denver na nakatayo lang sa isang tabi kasama sina Benji at Cohen, karga ang kani-kanilang mga anak. Ayaw nilang maging malapit ito sa amoy ng mga alak kaya bahagya nila itong inilayo.

"Oo nga, at hindi naman 'yon masama ah! Bukal sa kalooban na tumulong si Reika kahit minsan namumura niya kami," giit naman ni Apollo kaya nagtawanan ang lahat.

Humalakhak si Vinny habang hawak ang paubos na maliit na bote ng alak. "Nagpaawa kayo siguro. Alam mo naman si Reika, hindi tayo 'nun natitiis."

"Hindi talaga." Humalakhak naman si Stacy bilang pag sang-ayon. "Napilit ko siyang magsuot ng pink t-shirt kahit isang araw lang, napagbigyan ako!"

"Did you take a photo?" Natatawang tanong ni Warren.

"I tried to but she almost smashed my phone, after trying to smash my face," sabi pa ni Stacy kaya nagtawanan lalo ang lahat.

"Naalala ko tuloy 'yong nakita ko siyang nakasuot ng unicorn headband sa isang fair," Heath grinned.

"Dapat kumuha ka ng picture!" Pabirong umingos si Riley.

"Yeah, I bet she'd look so cute!" Braylee giggled.

"Gusto n'yo ba talaga akong mabugbog?!" Sarkastikong bulalas ni Heath habang humahalakhak.

"May Magno rin at Slade na bubugbog sa'yo nang mga panahong 'yon," biro pa ni Jao.

"Nga pala, bakit wala ang lolo ni Reika?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Haji matapos uminom mula sa kanyang baso. "Diba dapat--"

"Let's not talk about that bastard," Silver chimed as she stared at the glass of champagne. Her jaw tightened in anger. "We can't even mourn properly because of him."

"Baka kung ano pang masabi ko tungkol sa matandang 'yon, hanapin ko na lang muna si Slade," paalam naman ni Riley at kumuha ng dalawang maliit na bote ng beer.

"Hoy, 'wag mong landiin si Slade," natatawang bulalas ni Apollo kaya mabilis na ngumiwi si Riley.

"Hindi 'yan, andito na kami eh," Benji chimed with a smile while casually pointing out the baby he's carrying.

"My bennie knows me well," Riley chuckled in triumph on his way out.

Haji's eyebrows furrowed when his question was left unanswered. He looked at Sawyer who was sitting motionless. He had been silent almost the entire night, only talking when asked, only smiling for Reika.

"Sawyer, andito pa ba utak mo?" biro na lamang ni Haji sa kaibigan.

Walang kaemo-emosyong nag-angat si Sawyer ng tingin. "I'll just make a call," wika nito at wala sa sariling tumayo.

Nakakaisang hakbang pa lang si Sawyer palayo ng mesa nang bigla niyang nakita si Chewy na tumatakbo palapit, tila ba may agam-agam.

"Guys, may nawalan ba ng cellphone? May nakita kasi ako sa banyo," kunot-noong wika ni Chewy.

"Patingin nga?" bulalas naman ni Heath.

Inangat ni Chewy ang hawak na cellphone, at nang sandaling iyon ay tila ba huminto ang oras para kay Sawyer.

Sawyer fell to his knees as his tears streamed uncontrollably, realizing that he was looking at Reika's phone.

****

Riley sighed when he found Slade standing over the spot where Reika was found mortally wounded. Slade's arms were folded, tired eyes staring at the flowers, candles, and letters left at the scene.

"Reika was lucky to have you. You made her happy in more ways than one," Riley spoke as he handed Slade a little bottle of beer.

"Is," Slade corrected with a smile. "She still has me. And I still have her. Always."

"You know, I kinda blamed myself for Reika's death at first." Riley stood right next to Slade and stared at the flowers and letters for Reika. "I thought, maybe Reika wouldn't die if only she didn't follow me back to Filimon Heights. I mean, wala naman kasi talaga sa plano niya na bumalik. Pero naisip ko rin, sobrang saya rin naman ang naidulot ng pagbabalik niya sa Filimon Heights. If her life was indeed destined to be short, at least she spent her last few years happy."

"Thank you for bringing her to Filimon Heights." Slade smiled again.

"And thank you for making her happy." Riley smiled as well.

They both clinked their glasses together.

Slade heaved a sigh as he looked up at the dark sky.

"Promise me you won't harm yourself okay?" Riley said in a joking tone but deep down he was serious. 

"I'm going to live my life until death reunites me with my little shit," Slade said. "That's how i'll honor her," he added reassuringly.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Riley asked. He still couldn't help but worry.

Slade lost all of the emotions in his eyes as he stared down at the flowers and flames. "I'm going to find Magno and bring him back to Filimon Heights because I know that's what Reika would want. Her death wouldn't be in vain... and I'll make sure to make them pay."

"Don't do anything stupid, Reika loves you and I'm sure she wouldn't want you to get hurt," Riley reminded him in authoritatively. 

Slade's emotionless eyes looked up at the dark sky. 

"You know, I used to be so jealous of you. I even saw you as my Rival... but it turns out, my rival is death."

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

THANK YOU FOR READING FHS 3 : THE REBEL'S RIVAL