Beyond the Afterlife

CHAPTER 5

Lyra thought that after a good night’s sleep, she would forget about what happened last night. Maybe it was just stress, or perhaps her sadness had consumed her so much that she imagined it all. But why, even now as she woke up this morning, did she still feel certain that what she saw and experienced was real?

"What kind of person could that be?" Lyra wondered, her fingers trembling as she tried to make sense of it.

Could she have just imagined the people she saw last night? And if it were some experimental human being that escaped from a laboratory—like the rumors from South American countries—why would it be here in the Philippines?

"Eeer! Why am I even bothering with this? What I saw last night didn’t seem wild at all. In fact, he was…"

Lyra froze as the memory of the man with the strange abilities came flooding back. He was incredibly handsome, with piercing blue eyes that were impossible to look away from. The moment their eyes met, she felt herself softening under his intense gaze, almost wanting to be wrapped in his strong, muscular arms.

'What the heck?!'

Lyra shook her head vigorously. Was she losing her mind? Was this the effect of all the cocktails she drank alone at the bar last night to celebrate passing the medical board exams?

Gosh! What kind of lunatic was she becoming?

Lyra forced herself downstairs to check if their stay-out maid had arrived. Yes, the stay-out maid—Mrs. Karina—was the only person around to help. Her mother, as usual, was nowhere to be seen, and Lyra had no idea when or if she’d come home today. Her mother might leave again once she woke up. She hardly stayed at home. Mrs. Karina came by twice a week to do general cleaning and maintain the expensive items her father had left behind. After cooking and doing the laundry, she would leave by six in the evening, usually leaving dinner prepared in case someone wanted to eat. But more often than not, no one did. It was lonely eating alone. Lyra didn’t know if she’d ever get used to it, or if she’d ever accept being alone.

As she descended the grand staircase, the first thing she saw was her mother, fast asleep on the living room couch. She hadn’t even made it to her own room. Lyra shook her head, clenching her fists. Her mother must have returned early in the morning after another night of partying with her useless friends. How long would her mother keep up this rebellion now that her father was gone? Who was she rebelling against? Lyra herself?

'I wish I never had you in this lifetime.'

She remembered her mother saying those words once when she came home drunk and saw Lyra. She couldn’t forget them; they were too painful.

Those were the most hurtful words Lyra had ever heard. It was as if her mother had never been happy to have her.

What had Lyra or her father done to make her mother so angry with them, or with her existence? Shouldn't Lyra be the one who was angry? Her mother was so useless!

But despite everything, Lyra couldn’t reject her own mother. She knew that, no matter what, this woman had given birth to her, and that was a fact she couldn’t change. Should she be thankful that her mother carried her to term?

Ah... she didn’t know. She didn’t see her life as a gift, but as a curse. And she had no choice but to live it as it was.

Lyra hurried away from her sleeping mother. Every time she saw her, the pain in her heart resurfaced. She thought she had become numb to it, that by ignoring her mother’s neglect, she wouldn’t feel the hurt. But she was wrong. The memory of her mother’s rejection still stung, like a wound that never healed. And it only got worse each time she saw her.

So why did she stay? There was only one reason: her father. His dying wish. Even though it felt like that wish was tearing her apart a little more each day.

"Mrs. Karina...?" Lyra called out to their maid, who immediately emerged from the kitchen.

Her hunch had been right; Mrs. Karina was already there. The woman came early to catch up and prepare breakfast.

"What can I do for you, dear?" she asked kindly.

"Coffee, please," Lyra said as she headed to the kitchen counter.

Mrs. Karina quickly prepared her request. Within moments, a steaming cup of coffee was in front of Lyra. The strong aroma of the brewed coffee seemed to wake her up. Mrs. Karina always prepared the brewer in the morning, so Lyra wouldn’t have to wait long for her coffee. Lyra smiled at the thought. Mrs. Karina had been more of a mother to her than her real mother ever was. This woman had cared for both her and her father when he was alive. Without her, Lyra would never have known what it felt like to be mothered. She was lucky that, despite all the years Mrs. Karina had served their family, the woman had never once thought of resigning, even as she grew older.

Lyra took a sip of her coffee while Mrs. Karina continued with her chores.

"What time did your mother come home? She seems to be asleep," Mrs. Karina asked.

Lyra sighed. "As usual, she was out partying again. I don’t know what time she got home. I was out celebrating too."

Mrs. Karina turned to her and gave her a warm smile. "Congratulations on passing your exams."

Lyra smiled back. "Thank you."

"What do you plan to do next? You’re a doctor now."

"Not quite yet."

There were still more steps ahead—three years of residency before she could take the specialization exams. She had been accepted for her residency at Holy Cross Medical Center, where her father had strong connections with the director. Yes, she was still living in her father’s shadow, but she didn’t mind. It was a way to keep him close, even if he was gone.

Ahhh, she really missed her father. She missed him so much. If he were still alive, he would have been the first to be proud of her for being among the top four medical board passers. He would have also guided her on what to do next."

Her seniors advised her to take a little vacation, but what was the point of a vacation when she had no one to share it with?

"I really wish Dad was here now. I wish I knew what to do next," Lyra said, her throat tightening as she thought of her father. Even now, it was still hard for her to accept that he was gone. No matter what she did, she would never see him again.

Mrs. Karina moved closer and gently patted her back. "Your Daddy must be so proud of you, Lyra. Not just for passing, but for being one of the top-notchers." She tried to comfort her.

Those words usually helped Lyra push through the tough moments. They were a reminder that she needed to keep going, because that's what her Daddy would have wanted.

"I hope so..." she sighed sadly.

Mrs. Karina gave her a reassuring tap on the shoulder, as if encouraging her to stay strong. Lyra looked up and returned her smile, grateful for the older woman’s support. Just then, Lyra’s mother entered the kitchen.

"I have a headache. Get me some coffee, Karina," her mother said as she slumped onto a high stool, rubbing her temples with one hand and closing her eyes tightly. She didn’t even acknowledge Lyra’s presence.

Huh! What was she expecting? It was like they were invisible to each other. They didn’t even greet each other as mother and daughter anymore. Lyra had long given up on trying to reach out to her mother. If her mother wasn’t going to make an effort, then neither was she.

Lyra finished her coffee and got ready to leave. She said goodbye to Mrs. Karina and gave instructions about the house but didn’t bother saying anything to her mother. She was sure her mother wouldn’t care anyway.

Now, where to? Where should she go today? Lyra felt a bit restless. She had no plans for the day, which was unusual for her. She was always busy, but now, with nothing to do, she felt lost.

Lyra reached for her planner. There was nothing scheduled for today. This was supposed to be her day to relax, to unwind. But she couldn’t think of anywhere to go. Her friends, who also passed the Medical Board Exam, had flown off to their respective vacation spots with their families. That’s why she ended up celebrating alone last night. They had invited her to join them, but they were all with their families. She didn’t want to feel bitter or be consumed by pain and anger when she saw how happy they were with their loved ones.

It wasn’t that she resented her friends' happiness. It just hurt to see them so joyful while she was still grieving her father's death. Even though it had been a while, she couldn’t forget, and she didn’t think she ever would. If she joined them, she would only feel sorry for herself. She preferred to be alone.

But for what? Just to cry and wallow in loneliness?

Lyra sighed deeply, grabbed a bath towel, and headed straight for the shower. Maybe the water would help wash away some of the heaviness she felt inside.

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