Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 31: Ghost

Ceara Janette Del Valle

"Tita-mommy." Bulong ko. Dapat mas pinaghandaan ko 'to. "Dapat nagdala ako ng bulaklak."

"You didn't know." Lumuhod si TJ para linisin ang mga naipong kalat sa lapida.

Minata ko siya sa kanyang sagot. TJ really should've prepared me better because five minutes ago, I was kneeling in front of his son, meters away from her grave.

Napailing nalang ako.

"I owe her so much." My eyes were trained on her grave. Dried flowers and candles that melted litter all over it. "Siya ang nagbigay sa'kin ng unang sewing machine ko, you remember?"

"I remember." I hear him speak with a smile. "I remember you didn't play with me for days because you're learning how it works... And I was angry at her for giving it to you."

I caressed his hair, his nape, and shoulders underneath me, anything to show I'm here with him.

"I'm sorry." Bulong ko.

"You didn't do anything. Why are you apologizing?"

"I'm just sorry it happened. You and your family didn't deserve any of that."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko sa kanyang balikat at hinalikan ito, "She would be happy you're here with me."

Hindi ko mapigilan ang aking ngiti at ang init ng aking mata sa nagbabadyang luha. I'm here for him not the other way around so I kept quiet as he cleaned his mother's grave.

Tita-Mommy.

Thank you for existing. Thank you for inspiring young women like me. Thank you for being a superwoman. Thank you for giving birth to James... I'll take care of him. Even if he doesn't want me, I'll take care of him.

I promise.

"Pwede ba magtanong?"

Naglalakad kami paalis ng bahay, sa ilalim ng dilim para bumalik sa mansyon nang magsalita ako.

"You're already asking a question."

Binigyan ko siya ng matalim na titig at bumuntong hininga, "Ba't hindi kayo umalis? Your house is literally right here. Alam na ng mga taong gustong manakit sa inyo kung san kayo nakatira. Aren't you scared they'll come back?"

"No. Our family worked to make this place impenetrable. If they come here, they should be prepared for hell. We don't run."

"You just build up walls?"

Tinama niya ako, "Strengthened security."

Lumingon ako sa kanya. "Hindi mo ba naisip na..."

"Umalis?" Pagpapatuloy niya sa sinabi ko at tumango ako.

"To live your life peacefully, normally."

"Maybe. But not now. Now I'm still filled with a strong desire for revenge." Mabilis niyang sagot at napaisip ako na baka ang pinangarap kong tahimik na buhay ay hindi posible pag kasama siya.

"Why do you want revenge?"

Malakas na naputol ang isang sanga nang matapakan niya iyon. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I care about you, and I'd rather understand than let you go."

If I want him. I have to have the whole package, TJ and all his different versions—the boy I knew as a kid, the killer I saw for the first time, the mischievous one, the asshole, the protective one.

He is pain and love combined.

He stares at me in awe, and he stares back at their old house towards the path to his mother's grave. "I've come this far not to be."