All Over Again

CHAPTER 38: Run To Me

Jerwin's POV

Man.. That girl is really troublesome...

I jumped out of my truck. Kinawayan ko yung mga guards dun sa booth, and then went straight to my destination. It was about an hour ago when I got out of a meeting with the manager and some of the album staff people. When I checked my phone, there was a voicemail from Tita Mel. Pumunta raw ako sa kanila as soon as possible dahil nawawala si Venice. Syempre, nataranta din ako nung narinig ko yun. I drove as fast as I could to their house..

Tita Mel ran up to me as soon as I opened the gate. Venice rushed out of the house daw -- five hours ago. Tinatawagan, hindi sumasagot.. Tinawagan na ni Tita Mel sina Sheena, Anton, at si Kenny, hindi raw kasama nung tatlo si Venice. Nag-aalala na si Tita. All this because the house is being sold? I tried calling Venice, pero kahit ako, dinedeadma. I called Sheena..

She told me to try searching in the cemetery. I thought that'd be reasonable, so here I am. And just like Sheena said, ayun nga si Venice, nagmumukmok nanaman sa harap nung libingan ni Gerard. I walked up to her, but she didn't seem to notice me.

Me: Venice. Let's go--

I paused when she turned to look at me. She has those eyes... blank.. expressionless.. lifeless.. I've seen those eyes before..

Me: Are you... okay?

Venice: I'm not leaving. I can't leave. I promised G.. I promised I'd live my life here. I can't leave him behind, Jerwin! I can't!

What... is she talking about? I held my place, even though the intensity in her whole aura makes me want to step back. I feel like it's one of those times when I shouldn't move. One move and it will cause a shift in the whole galaxy. Exaggeration, but it feels that way.

Venice: I'm scared. Jerwin... My life is here. I don't know what will happen to me if I leave.. I don't know how I'll survive.. Just thinking about it... Just thinking about it makes me feel so alone..

She's obviously freaking out. I sat down beside her. I didn't meet her eyes, dahil just looking at those eyes..

I remember now..

Two years ago..

They were the same eyes..

Frozen and lifeless..

Me: Gerard is this important to you?

She nodded.

Me: What are you worried about?

Venice: Weren't you listening?? I told you, I can't leave this place! I don't want to go to the States!

Me: States?

Venice: You mean, you didn't know? My mom wants to take me with her!

Me: Whoa! Hold on, hold on.. Back up a little. Kelan sinabi ng mom mo 'to?

Venice: This afternoon.. Binebenta niya na nga yung bahay. Tapos balot na lahat ng gamit namin...

-____-

Ako: Did you really hear your mom say she's taking you to the States?

Venice: Eh what else could she have meant?

Uh.. I have a feeling she's misunderstanding something here... Venice's usual dumb self.

Me: Let's go.

Venice: Go? I don't think I wanna go back yet.

Me: Nope. I think you'd wanna go to where I'm taking you. Maybe it will shed some light on this whole thing.

Venice: Huh?

I got up and brushed the grass off my jeans. I offered my hand to Venice...

Ako: I'll make everything okay.

Venice looked at my outstretched hand, and then at me.. She looks confused.. I like her confused face better than the "lifeless" mask she was wearing moments ago.. I would give anything to keep that mask off her face. I'll take care of her. I will make everything okay.

Me: Believe me..

She forced a smile on her lips, and finally, took my hand.

Venice: I believe you.

I pulled her to her feet. Pinagpag nya yung palda nya, and then turned to look at the tombstone, probably saying her "See you later" words. After a few minutes, she faced me.. Her face looks like it's back to normal.. The panic.. the fear.. the loneliness.. all gone from her eyes..

Venice: Let's go.

Me: Go on ahead. I'll be right behind you.

Venice: Ohh-kay?

She whirled around to leave. I can tell she's curious kung bakit ako nagpaiwan, pero di naman sya nangulit. She just walked away. I watched her hanggang sa malayo-layo na ung nalalakad niya. It just occurred to me. She's been here for five hours. Talking to this... stone because she's afraid to be alone? I looked at the tombstone sa paahan ko..

Gerard...

He died just a few days before Christmas. That's harsh. But to still be able to affect Venice to this extent.. two years after..

Me: Gerard.. If you've been watching Venice from wherever you're floating, I'm sure you know who I am..

I stared at the stone.. with so much magnitude na parang talagang pinaparinig ko yung sinasabi ko dun sa lalaking hindi ko naman nakilala kahit kailan..

Me: Venice might have ran to you this time, Gerard.. But next time she feels alone. Next time, I'll make sure she runs to me.