Snippets (One shots)

Snippet 4

She fished her phone from her shorts' back pocket, scrolled for some time then hesitantly gave it to me. From the way her hands were shaking, I got a little afraid.

When I finally got a good glimpse of the screen, I only had one reaction.

Kief: Shit!

I was about to lose myself in rage when Dani held my arm before hugging me.

Dani: Manong, you promised.

Unti unti akong kumalma. Thank God for a sister who doesnt share such intense emotions as me. Kung nagkataon, ang gulo.

I didnt know how to react. I just stayed quiet in Dani's arms when Thirdy came out.

Thirdy: Manong! Si Ate Ly!

He was in a hurry and motioning for me to come in kaya I instantly ran inside. This is bad.

Pagdating ko sa sala, nakita ko si Mama na niyayakap si Ly. Ewan ko kung bakit gising pa si Mama sa mga oras na yun. Pagtingin ko kay Thirds, mukhang nabasa niya ang pagtataka sa mukha ko, kaya nagsalita siya.

Thirdy: Hindi ko kasi kayo mahanap ni Dani agad e kaya si Mama nalang muna tinawag ko. Im sorry, I really didnt know what to do.

I just nodded at him and went over my mother and Ly who who were both sitting on the carpet.

Kief: Ma, ako na.

My mother looked at me and nodded before standing up. Pagtingin ko sa mukha ni Alyssa agad akong nanlumo. Nag-uunahan ang mga luha niya sa pag-agos and it was really not a pretty sight. Agad ko siyang niyakap. And I weakened. Her body was shaking and her sobs were getting louder.

This is the weakest I have seen her.

Kief: Sssssshhhhh. Babe.. Tama na. Ssssshhhh. Im always here for you. Wag ka ng umiyak.

She just continued to cry. Kumuha naman si Dani ng glass of water and gave it to her. Buti nalang uminom siya kahit konti and tried to steady herself. She broke free from the hug and upon seeing her trying to dry her tears, agad na kumuha ng tissue si Dani to dry those for her.

Ako? Well, I just held her hand. She was having little sobs but at least she was calmer. Si Mama naman agad na pumwesto sa couch na nasa likod ni Ly to fix her hair.

Kief: I'm here, Ly. I'm here. Dont ever forget that. I love you.

I kept reassuring her with words straight from my heart. Maybe that was exactly what she needed.

Thirdy sat beside Dani on the carpet and just stayed there. We were quiet except for me of course who kept whispering how much I love her. We stayed that way for quite a while.

Somehow I got the inkling that all of us know why already. And even if I didnt ask to, my family was just there for her.

Ly: I'm sorry...

She spoke after a few minutes. Her voice was still shaky as evidence that she just came from crying.

What was she saying sorry for?

Ly: I'm sorry you had to witness me in this state at such an ungodly hour. Sorry for the inconvenience this... this has caused you ---

Mozzy: Ssshhhh Ly. There's nothing to apologize for. You know that even if you're on the other side of the world, we'd still go and comfort you, di ba?

Thirdy: Onga, Ate. You're family. And we'd do anything for family.

She smiled but it was a sad smile. I squeezed her hand tighter. Napatingin siya sa mga kamay namin. She played with our fingers. Hinayaan ko nalang.