All Over Again

PROLOGUE: Dead & Gone

Jerwin's POV

Oh great..

I'm lost..

I've been driving around the same neighborhood for about an hour now and I still can't figure out where I'm supposed to turn..

Seeing this cemetery for about the nth time is already giving me the creeps..

It's like seeing death over and over and over again.. And the number of cars parked on the side of the street.

Someone's burial ...

I knew I should have just taken a cab instead of renting this car.. -__-

It's been ten years since I last came home from the States..

I should've listened to my parents when they "offered" to pick me up..

*sigh*

But who am I kidding? They're too busy to actually consider picking me up. It's just part of their whole "good parents" facade.

I parked my rented car a few feet away from the cemetery's entrance --just behind the last car that's probably there for the burial..

I know I shouldn't crash some person's burial -- it's not like I'm actually crashing the burial, I'm just parking with them...

But I don't want to drive around for another hour!

I took out the new phone I got just before my flight from LA, and dialed my parents' house number..

Technology today.. it does wonders -- allowing me to call whenever, wherever -- using a phone from another part of the world.

Two rings ..

Three ...

Four ...

"Hello?"

Oh my gosh, she's home.. O_O

"Mom? It's Jerwin."

"Jerwin! Where are you?!? Kanina ka pa dapat nakarating dito sa bahay ah!"

"I know, but I'm lost. I think I'm somewhere near the neighborhood but I can't remember where to turn"

"Where are you? Ipapasundo na lang kita sa driver."

"No, it's ok, mom. Just tell me where to go. I'm at the cemetery."

"The front entrance?"

Napatingin ako dun sa entrance nung sementeryo.. Guards, a huge gate.. and a moderately sized board that bears the name,

"Garden of Lilies"

Is that supposed to be associated with the term "Heavenly Garden"? -___-

"Jerwin?"

"Yeah.. I think I'm at the front entrance."

I took out a receipt from something I bought from the airport earlier, then started writing the directions my mom was throwing at me..

After a few minutes of making sure I got it, I hang up..

I looked at the directions and frowned and here I thought I was near our house already..

Turns out I need to make at least 5 more rights and lefts..

Just when I'm about to pull out from the side of the street, people started pouring out of the cemetery's gates..

The service must be finished.. Man.. I might as well wait until they all clear up -- I don't want the problem of running someone over on my first day home..

People started to go into their own cars, while others stood on the corner street still talking -- or crying..

Most of the people look young.

Probably around the same age as me.

I wonder if they buried a teacher.. or a principal?

I was still looking at the rush of people when my eyes fell on a certain group -- well, more like on a certain someone in that group..

They approached the parked cars, probably saying their "Thanks for Coming" kind of thing.. The family? or.. uh, siblings? cousins? They all look too young to be parents.. unless they buried an infant. -__- But then again, what's with the number of the teenagers scurrying around?

Anyway, I stared at the girl...

She, like most of everyone else, was wearing white..

Her hair was wind-blown.. and, although she was following the girl and the boy, who were peering into cars' windows, she was just staring into space, frequently led to the next car by another girl and a very.. uh.. feminine-looking guy..

I should just leave..

It would feel odd kung pati ako bigla nilang lapitan.. I shouldn't intrude on their grief..

O_O

Wait, why are they walking towards me!??

Oh crap! They probably think I attended the burial too..

The group stopped right next to my car, and the guy and the girl (who, I notice now, must be siblings considering how much alike they look) did their thing..

"Girl 1: Thank you for coming."

"I'm sorry for your lost."

"Boy 1: Yes. Thank you."

These people look exhausted.

Their eyes are red -- probably from crying or lack of sleep or both..

Their shoulders are slumped, as if they just want to go back and mourn again..

My gaze fell again on the girl I was staring at earlier..

She was standing behind the siblings now, still staring into space..

She certainly emanates a different kind of aura from the other grief-stricken people.. But she wasn't crying..

Her face wasn't tear-stricken nor her eyes show any trace of redness..

The two people on each of her side appear to be supporting her..

Although, I can't seem to understand why..

She couldn't be family since she's not the one peering or talking to people who attended the service..

She doesn't resemble the siblings in any way..

She doesn't seem to be in grief..

Yet people glance at her with sympathy.. the two people beside her are holding her arms as if she'll break into pieces if they let go.

Suddenly, the girl turned and met my gaze..

She stared as I stared back..

--and I froze O_O

No..

She doesn't look exhausted..

She doesn't look grief-stricken..

She looks deprived of life..

She.. She looks dead...

Just then, the girl and the boy, who talked to me earlier, turned to go to this lifeless girl..

No wonder they're all hovering around this being..

"Girl 1: Let's go."

"Girl 2: Halika na, best friend.. You've been through enough today."

I thought she wouldn't answer--I mean really, come on, when someone is like that, nagsasalita pa ba un?

But...

The lifeless girl can talk.. or mumble, at least..

"Lifeless Girl: You're done?"

Her voice was steady, barely a whisper, but it was steady..

It would have been a sweet, perfectly-toned voice... if it wasn't so stressed with pain..

"Girl 1: Oo.. We're done, Venice.."

They led her away to where they probably parked.. I followed them with my eyes for some time, then shook my head..

Lots of bad things really happen in this world..

I pulled out of the side of the street and started to drive away..

But for some reason, I couldn't help but replay the expression on that girl's face..

May kung anong curse siguro ung sementeryo na un..

It plays tricks on your mind...

Venice...