Eumoirous (ICS #1)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Ruins

The morning after Monique told me what happened, we immediately flew to Manila. Nana and Dada came along with us.

"Rhelle, we're sorry for your loss. Andito lang kami, we'll get through this," Monique would always remind me.

Monique has always been beside me the whole time I knew the news. She was the one who packed my baggage last night because I was too lost to even function right.

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin nagagalaw ang breakfast na sinerve sa akin ng cabin crew. I haven't even uttered a single word.. after I knew Daddy died.

It can't be true, right? Maybe all of this was just a big joke. Baka naman ay ginu-good time lang ako neto nina Monique.

But if it really was a joke, bakit umiiyak si Nana? Bakit pati si Tito ay kailangang sunduin ako mula sa isla? Bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi rin makausap ng maayos si Zaque?

"Cous.. you should eat na. I-It's not healthy kasi to skip meals." Mahinang paalala sa akin ni Monique.

Our arms were intertwined while we were sitting side by side. Siya ang malapit sa bintana samantalang ako ay nakaupo malapit sa aisle.

Pinasadahan ko lang ng tingin ang pagkain na nasa tapat ko. I don't even plan to eat, I didn't have the appetite.

Napatulala na lang ako habang tinitingnan ang pagkain. I don't even understand myself anymore. I can't even name what I was even feeling. I.. was hollow. Empty. Numb.

I blinked when I heard quiet sobs from the person sitting beside me. Dahan dahan ko iyong liningon at nakita kong umiiyak na naman si Monique kahit mugtong-mugto na ang mata.

"Rhelle.." hikbi niya. "It hurts seeing you like this. P-Please say something? Kahit two subo lang from your meal.."

I continued to look at her, unable to move my hand. I wanted to stop her from crying. But I didn't even have the strength to control my body. I couldn't even utter a single word.

"I-I know your hurting, Rhelle. B-but please don't deprive yourself of your needs, your body will shut down."

I removed my gaze from her and realize that she was right. I was just not in the condition to eat anything right now. So, instead of opening the food container, I reached out for my water bottle and drank a little.

Narinig ko rin na humina ang paghikbi ni Monique nang makita niyang uminom ako ng tubig. After closing the cap of the water bottle, I layed my back on my seat and closed my eyes.

I felt Monique hug me from my side. "I-I know that this is a lot, right now. But, I'm here, Rhelle. We're for you and Tita."

I simply nodded at her, with my eyes still closed. I slowly felt myself drift to sleep.. I just wish we'd get to Manila soon.

×××

"Sa ibang gate na lang ninyo kami sunduin, yes. Oo, I'll tell you when we get there," nagising ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Tito.

Nang iminulat ko ang mata ko ay nakita kong may kausap pa siya sa cellphone. Bumaling naman ako kay Monique at nakita kong nag-aayos na siya sa kanoyang upuan. I looked outside and noticed that we were already at the airport, we were back at Manila.