Chapter 54 Gone

After few days, Carlos's body was buried already. His family who was all living in Canada went to the country for the funeral but went back as soon as possible because of their jobs. They were busy that's why it only took few days to held Carlos's funeral which commonly lasted more than a week. Dina understood that as much as possible they wanted to grieve but they are also tied with their responsibilities and obligations. Life might not be fair sometimes, but everybody needs to move on. Dina isn't that close with them too because she had met them a few times only in her 3-year stay in Canada. Dina looked around the house, she sighed. She is now all alone. She thought it would be better for Dino to be at the Ballestros as he still couldn't accept that his recognized father is now gone. He constantly seeks Carlos even during his sleep. Dina is sad as she contemplated it hasn't been long ago when this house was still full of laughter… now it became so quiet. She remembered all her happy memories with Carlos as she reminisced their college years… and how she fell in love with basketball, how they had developed mutual understanding inside the basketball court, and… how Carlos decided to become a martyr of becoming her lid hole from her failed relationship with Rico. Her tears began to fall, her best friend is now really gone forever. With tears in her eyes, she decided to enter Carlos's room, forcing to feel his presence… but he is really gone now. She sat at the corner of his bed. "I'm sorry, best... You were the best man among all the others and yet, I wasn't able to love you back the way you loved me. Maybe in time, maybe in our next lives, maybe the me in the future... is capable of loving you back... maybe at that time, you will be able to get inside my heart first, before Rico.", Dina thought trying to comfort herself from the sadness and emptiness she is feeling right now. "Thank you, Carlos.", Dina whispered with tears still on her eyes when she noticed a paper on top of his bedside table. "This is a letter from Carlos… for me?", Dina mumbled when she curiously opened the paper. Hi Dina, If you're reading this... then, sadly... I'm probably gone. Please don't cry, because I know you're such a crybaby. Kidding aside, I know how stubborn you are... and please do forgive me if I'll add another burden for you... Actually, I sold the house already. I know the buyer, so when I'm gone they'll probably move in as soon as possible. The money from selling the house had already been time-deposited on your account, you can't use it for now. So, in other words, you are penniless right now. I am sorry, I don't mean to make things difficult for you. You know me... and I know you too. I know you won't easily agree to head back to Rico.I know how loyal you are with your words. That is why I am doing this to help you reconcile with him. No matter how hard I try, I won't be there for you anymore. No matter how I love you, we just can't be. We're not really meant to be and I came to accept that sad truth already, and it cost me my life before believing it's really you and Rico. You are meant for each other. So please... go back to Rico. Go back to the man you truly love. I'm sorry, best for all thing wrong things I have done... but always remember, in everything that I do.... I see to it that the reason behind it is always you. As always, you know... I love you. Carlos Dina's tears continuously fell, she wept, bawled… all her self-control of making herself strong vanished away upon reading his letter. She always knew Carlos had only thought of good things for her and sometimes she had taken him for granted. Carlos is gone, she will miss her best friend so much… because no matter how hard she will cry, he will never return again. After crying so much, she sat still for a long long time