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«Loving You, Eternally» by Myca Paga

I was busy helping my mom and my sister with our food for New Year or as we call it «Media Noche». It’s an annual celebration which we celebrate the coming of the New Year, and with our Filipino tradition, we graced our table with sumptuous dishes to bring good luck and prosperity to our family. We are gathered together and happily greet each other with a smile. We enjoyed watching the colorful and beautiful fireworks, feasting on delicious food and collecting good memories again despite the troubles and problems we encountered the past year. But, that’s how life is. We move forward and we find ways to celebrate the good despite of all the bad.

I’m glad, that I have so many memories over the past year. I will dig it up and create more. After helping my mom, I carried a big box to the living room. These are the books I have collected, and I planned to move them to my mini bookshelves. The moment I stepped on to the spot of my bookshelves I put down the box and opened it. I took each book out and dusted it. Then I saw something that brought back tragic memories of the past- a book called ‘Loving You, Eternally‘. 

I sat down and began reading the book. I didn’t realize I was already crying….no, sobbing…no maybe wailing.

I could feel the pain. It’s tearing me apart. It’s crushing me.

This book was worldwide bestseller. Readers talked about it, and it was all over the social media. 

«A true big hit.»

The author Leo Hernandez is a high school lad who became famous for writing poems and novels based on true to life stories. He won the hearts of his readers through his honest, raw and unfiltered stories and poetries; I was one of them. I even remember I even went to his first ever book signing event. It was a very memorable experience for both of us. He was delighted to see his fans and followers.

Little did we know about the pain he was hiding behind his beautiful smiles.

He had leukemia. 

He did not tell his readers and followers about it because «announcing it would hurt them,» he often said. He didn’t want to hurt them.

His family knew. And they did everything they could to extend his life. But there was nothing they can do.

Saturday night, his battle for a longer life ended. His body gave up, leaving a world of people who adored his works. 

And as for me? I don’t know if I can even get over losing him. I was miserable. I was mad. I was angry.

«Why him, why Leo?’

I was holding the last piece of book he has written and published.

In between sobbing I whispered, «I miss you, Leo.» 

As I got up and went to my room, I saw a purple colored box underneath my reading table. It was the box that contained my collection of books authored by Leo Hernandez, and the love letters he wrote for me.

Leo was my first love. And honestly, up until this day, I still love him with all my heart, as he is just beside me.

I was his number one fan. Some said I am his biggest fan, more so the leader of his fans club. I was a proud girlfriend. I was with him every single book event he had. And like any other fan, I always lined up to get his autograph for every book I buy.

When he got sick I didn’t give up on him, in us. I didn’t let him go, until it was time to bid farewell.

I was happy to see him smile for the last time. I was happy to see him breathe his last breath.

Loving You, Eternally is a book he wrote while raging a war against leukemia; it was us with a promise of loving each other eternally.

I finally put that book inside the purple box as I softly whispered «Loving you too Leo, Eternally.»

*featured photo: https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-standing-in-front-of-mirror-l2NRQNkQ2Qk

Author’s Bio

Myca Paga, also known as Mycs, is a simple and young writer with a thousand dreams for her life. She is a Registered Author/Writer with the National Book Development Board and a Published Author. She has written five books: Love Stories, Magkasintahan Volume 10, Silver Bells and Nostalgic Lovers, Magkasintahan 2.0 Volume 2, and An Author’s Point of View. For her, the writing journey is about trusting God throughout the process.