I Died

Chapter Two

Days went by, Sita told me a lot of things about the real Erin is like. She likes to spend her time at the seashore whether she has school or work to do and it was alright with Madam and Mister Velarde. She plays badminton only with Sita and reads a book before sleeping. But what made me concerned is that Erin never had a friend or, at least, that is what Sita said to me.

The semester started and on the first day of school I was called by Mama to attend in a wake of someone who is one of the main suppliers of our company. I didn't even have the chance to change my school uniform and immediately came here with Sita. After spending time with Mama and Papa for weeks now, I already had a grasp of what Erin's life is. In this situation, visiting the wake of someone who died must only one of the reason why they called me here. The real goal here is to make connections with the other people who will visit the wake,. Well, having sympathy for the family who just lost a family member will follow through.

After communicating with some other big people, I decided to go to garden and sit on a bench. It was already dusk. It was windy yet the air was warm enough to make me feel sleepy. Even the color of the sky did sympathize for what happened to the family who lost their member.

While sitting on a bench, I decided to take a look at the textbook I just bought from school and tried to answer some while waiting for Sita to fetch me. There is no one here, its just me. I slightly grabbed my necktie to loosen it, no one will see it anyway after all Sita will fetch me any minute now.

Five minutes later.....

What is taking her so long? My strokes are getting heavy while answering some exercises. My hands are getting sweaty because of the excitement to answer the problems. I never thought that answering math can be fascinating where it can almost make my heart beat faster than usual.

"Miss" I heard Sita, that must be Sita. I immediately stop writing and found myself looking for Sita. Where did she go?

I scanned the garden to look for Sita but what caught my attention is the man who is just a few meters away fron the bench where I was sitting. He has a straight black hair, though some of the strands of his hair are getting in his forehead it still makes me want to imagine that he came from a webtoon.

"Miss" Sita called me. Our eyes met, I can't help but to gaze him. He was still looking at me even though he is talking to someone else. "Do you know him?" Sita asked.

"No, I have no idea who he is" I answered her. "Do you know him?" I asked her back. We are still looking at each other.

"He is the one that your father is talking about, Raven Galvez. He is a pilot but he's been working for their company for few years now" Sita tried to help me with the bag but I didn't gave it to her.

"Let's go, Sita" Lumakad ako papalayo sa lugar na iyon habang mahigpit na hawak ang aking bag sa aking kanang kamay.

Nakaupo ako silya habang hawak hawak ko ang lapis pang sulat sa kung ano mang assignment ang pinabaon sa amin.

Sa sobrang gigil ko sa pagsagot ay naputol ko ang lapis sa dalawa. Binuksan ko ang drawer ng mesa para mahanap ng lapis pero wala na akong makita.

Tumingin din ako sa maliit na basurahan malapit sa mesang kinauupuan ko. Puno iyon ng mga putol na lapis. Wala na akong maipagsusulat.

Naisipan kong tumigil muna. Tumingin ako sa labas para maipahinga ang mga mata kong kanina pa naka babad sa libro.

Umihip ang hangin papunta sa loob ng kuwarto. Sa bintana ay makikita ang naggagandahang kulay ng mga marigold.

Bumaba ako at pumunta ng kusina para kumuha ng tubig. Pinuno ko ang isang baso ng tubig mula sa pitsel sabay lagok ng tubig ng mabilis.

Nangati ang lalamunan ko dahilan para maubo ako at mahulog ang hawak kong baso. Napakapit ako sa sink at sinubukang ilabas ang lahat ng nararamdaman sa lalamunan. Halos maluha ako dahil sa ubo ko.

Suddenly I saw a lady who is wearing the same uniform that I have sa pintuan. She was in my age.

Fair skin. Brown eyes. Wavy hair. Really hindi ko alam saan kami nagkita. Maybe sa school or something.

I remembered. She is Rhiannon, the sibling or Raven Galvez as well as the niece of the doctor who treats me.

"What can I do for you?" I ask her sa medyo malamig na tono. I am a Filipino but I wasn't really hospitable because some vistors makes me sick.

"Nothing!" anya sa akin. Tumango ako. Kumuha ako ng makakain sa ref para mailagay ko sa kuwarto ko.

Lumapit ako sa pinto papunta sa direksyon ni Rhiannon at hinawak ang kamay niya para mailagay ko sa palad niya yung nakapack na carrot cupcake.

"You should try this. I baked it myself, the cream cheese is awesome. Hope you'll like it" pinatong ko ang cupcake sa palad niya at umalis na doon bumalik sa kuwarto.

People in this house always do come and go, whether the owner of the house or just a vistor.

Whats with that girl. Its not like she just landed in our door.

Paakyat na ako para pumunta sa kwarto ko nang tawagin niya ako.

"Miss Erin" kinakabahan yet she managed. Whats with the Miss?

Binuksan niya ang backpack niya while still holding the cupcake I gave her. May dinukot siyang kung ano doon at inilabas iyon.

She's holding a textbook. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha iyon. "I saw this book with your name sa isang burol na pinuntahan namin ng lolo ko. I came here to ask you if you could help me with mine since we are both on the same level no?"

Honestly I dont think this is an awkward situation or normal either. Someone came to your house and asking you to teach her.

Iginiya ko siya sa garden kung saan may mga nakahandang upuan at mesa sa ilalim ng puno ng bougainvillea.