Love you Always

Dear Gabriel,

You must be wondering how any of this is possible. I mean, considering what I was to you. I would be the same were I in your shoes and hey, WAIT, don't drop the letter. Whether you believe it or not, it's really me. Turns out most humans were wrong, animals do have souls. In fact, we have our own deities based on the type of species we are. Oh my bad, we're actually grouped into our genus. For example, I'm what they call Canis familiaris, while others are called Lupus, basically we are all of the same kind. As I write this, I am being escorted by a wolf reaper( Yes, that is their actual title) and is now directing me to the gates of the afterlife. I don't know what's out there, but I'm so eager. Hopefully nothing too scary.

Well, that's out of the way, just to clarify, it is me. Your lovely companion Lya. I can't imagine what you're going through, after all those promises we made to each other, I'm a bad friend aren't I. Maybe I should just stop here since I betrayed you. But, I don't want to. My reaper has allowed me the chance to communicate with the one I yearn the most from the physical world. And news flash, it's you. And I have a lot to say.

Do you remember the first day we met, it was at the park right? I can't tell, it was so long ago. What I do remember was that there was a hailstone. That day I promised myself I wouldn't live in that old man's home anymore. Not after what he had done to my siblings. Can you imagine he dissected them and sold their organs? For what, what you guys call the black market? Argh! Some of you humans are so disgraceful and I wanted revenge so bad but being a pup at the time doesn't get you far. The remaining ones, including me, hatched a plan. It was successful and it was how we escaped him, all gone our separate ways. Though I wish we could've stuck together. The hailstone was a bummer and the only place I could hide was in a tree hollow. And that is where I met you. You were at the bench to the right and even though the hail looked like it was going to kill you, you remained rooted there, umbrella overheard. You made me wonder for a long time and in the process I understood. I heard you crying and for some reason, I resonated with you. I felt we were in the same situation. Naturally, I would've thought that all humans were bad but I had a brother who was equally as mean. So, when I saw you, I knew something was definitely wrong and... I wanted to help. How stupid of me. The stones barraged my back and I let out a whimper. You heard me and closed in, the look in your eyes, it spelled desperate concern and that's why I wasn't shocked when you took me in your arms and ran to the vet. How ironic that was.

The vet, Mrs. Woodberry right? I hope I got the name. She was kind and fixed me up like it was nothing. Plus, she did it on the house. You were so grateful and when I saw you dancing around, I forced myself to do the same. That made you happier but you told me to sit down since I was still aching. Though you had no plans, Mrs. Woodberry insisted that you take me in. And that was where I got my name, Lya.

When I got to know your family, I understood why you never liked to associate with them. They always looked down on you and forced you to do things beyond your reach. I always wanted to step in but you pulled back, assuring me it wasn't worth it. But one time I looked at the other side of the story, your Mum was crying alone in the living room. It was during that time when your Dad was sick. As she sobbed, she talked about you, apologizing and hoping you would come back to them, as how it was before. And I knew you wanted the same thing, you longed to be heard and they only wanted the best from you. That's why, I tried my best, I declared I would be the anchor and set things straight. Gradually, I approached, offered them a paw to cry on. She was reluctant at first but later embraced me and when she did, she failed to hold back. All that burdened her heart, let it all out, and told me a lot of things. A lot of... secrets. What? You want me to tell you? I swore on my tail! I wish I could, but I won't. Either way, after that, she reached to you and your bond refreshed. Of course you didn't want anything from her at first, but she tried, and you did to. Do you remember how happy I was when I saw you together.

After that, things didn't go as planned however, Dad died. You blamed yourself, always said you never had the time to reconnect. And that was the worst time I saw from the both of you. Even when I tried to cheer you up, you set me aside, as though I wasn't family. It hurt at first but it rekindled what I felt for my siblings, how they were butchered as though they were cows (I know I'm not supposed to attack a fellow animal but, I just had to. Sorry Cows) and I didn't want you to slip in that hole. That's why even if you shooed me, I came back time and time again. But I gave you space after that and as soon as you buried him, you took me out for a walk at the same park and it was the best day in my life. You don't know how many times I would repeat it.

Fast forward, you went to college. And when you came back for the first holiday, you brought a girl. Yeah... I wasn't the biggest fan of that. I got the feeling she had some ulterior motive and I was so intent to sniff it out. The way she smiled, how she talked and her clothes. Ugh! I hated it. And she was never comfortable with any of us, whenever Mum gave her any snacks, she was so reluctant and dramatic. She was a red flag, I saw it it from the first day but you were too blind. I usually growled at her and she made me her avenue for all her devious schemes as though I never understood what she intended, I hated her. Was I glad that you broke up, but you went to your sulking mood again until Mum gave you a stern lecture on what to do for the future. That's where Danielle came in.

Just after you and Danielle were a thing, disaster struck. I know, you might not want to read this but I plead you do. We all strolled in the park, a bright sunny day as so we thought. First we heard the siren but it was too late. Like rain, missiles schemed down the city and explosions erupted everywhere. Everyone moved to the nearest shelter and we diverted to get to Mum. We were lucky she was only among the rubble. Through Danielle's dad, we were able to get her out but at a cost, she lost the ability to walk. You carried her and we all rushed to the shelter. Maybe it was a mistake to run behind you guys but even so, at least you got to it.

The doors shut me out and that's where I broke our promise. When they stopped falling, you opened the doors, knelt and wept. I was burdened, I swore I would never see you cry again and yet... I hurt you. I made you go through what you didn't want to. I earnestly wanted to go back, dig deep into my body but when I saw the wolf in the distance, my time was up.

Hey, I know I must be the worst being you can think of. But in the end, after all you went through, I wanted you to survive, wanted you to be the strongest version you could be. Maybe I failed at that and probably you hate me now but I did for the sake of you. I did it because you showed me that you are not my master, I am more than that, your best friend. And of course, my beloved brother.

Right now is a bit too late to make any promises but just one thing. Promise me you'll live the best life ever. If you do end up with Danielle, I wanna see you have kids, Mum will be so happy when that happens. Make sure you achieve your dream of being a voice actor, changing the lives of so many people just by reading lines from a script. I want you to be... YOU!! Cause that is what you deserve, make everyone proud but above all, make yourself proud. And even as you do all this, just know I Will Love You Always.

I can't wait to see what your future holds.

I'll be waiting,

Lya.