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The whole hacienda was full of sorrow. What was once a happy and vibrant community had turned solemn as people gathered with long faces and tears. I could the heaviness around me pressing down my chest and I knew everyone felt the same way, too. His people mourned for him with utmost respect and affection.
Lolo Jaime lived a good life and he died a good death. I thank God that he did not suffer because he didn't deserve it. He was in good health until the very last day of his life. The night before he passed away, he was laughing, playing, and telling stories to his great-grandchildren, he danced Mom to the song they danced to on her 18th birthday, he drank with Uncle Tristan, Dad, and Kuya Coco, he'd pulled on my favorite magic trick even though I already knew the secret to it. I remembered the last thing he said before going to bed that night. It was as though he knew what was about to happen.
He told us how lucky he was for having a family like us. He told us to love one another and to always reach out whenever one of us needs help.
'If only Becca was here to see how happy our family is.' I heard him say before he kissed everyone good night.
Now, he was with Lola Becca and I knew he was happy with her now. Alam ko kung gaano niya kamahal si Lola Becca, he stayed faithful to her to their hacienda until his very last breath.
I wiped away my tears. I shouldn't be sad. Dapat maging masaya ako dahil natupad na ni Lolo Jaime ang hiling niya, ang makasama ang tanging babaeng minahal niya. I could easily imagine him running back to his wife's arms. After so many years, magkasama na ulit sila ngayon. He'd gone home to be with her.
His children stood in front of his grave and threw flowers on the casket as it was being lowered into the ground. Sa tabi ng puntod ni Lola Becca inilibing si Lolo, just like how he'd always wanted. Mom was in Dad's arms, crying and sobbing while Uncle Tristan was in quiet tears with Aunt Andi's arms wrapped around his waist. Ate Anais, Kuya Yvo, and Ate Monique openly cried as they threw the flowers on his casket and I was the last on to throw flower at him. The first sounds of dirt pounding on his casket made the people cry even harder.
Memories of him began to play back in my mind. I remembered how he used to take me horseback riding with Ate Anais, how he'd spoil us with ice creams and cakes, how he'd take us around the farm to feed his animals. Lolo was not only a wonderful father and grandpa, he was a wonderful person as well. He was loved by many because of his good heart. He never once turned down anyone who asked for his help.
After Lolo was buried, Uncle Tristan and Mom invited everyone back to the hacienda for a post-funeral reception. They welcomed everyone, from the hacienda's farmers to the elite peers of Lolo Jaime, just as he would if he was still alive. To Lolo, no one was above anyone. He treated everyone equally.
"Mom, are you okay?" I asked when we got back to the hacienda. The reception was held at the garden and everyone was being served food. Mom just stood there, her arms folded across her chest, watching everyone as if she was in a trance.
