Ishmael's POV
SUNDAY. 6:53 am.
"Illyria, where's Mom?" I asked while walking downstairs.
"As you can see, she's not with me." She said in a matter of fact tone.
"Illyria Fleur." I warned, crossing my arms.
"Ishmael Fier." She mocked.
"You're imitating me, huh?"
"Am I? Oh, sorry brother." She spouted.
I gave her a warning look. She then rolled her eyes before answering.
"She visited your ex." She even emphasized the last word just to tease me again.
"You know manners?" I asked in sarcasm while pouring my glass with fresh milk.
"Who's that?" She also asked.
"You smart-mouthed kid. Don't talk to me ever again." And then I walked upstairs.
Narinig ko pa siyang humagalpak ng tawa dahil nagtagumpay na naman siyang pikunin ako. She's 16 and I'm 21 yet she treats me like I'm 8.
Pumasok ako sa kwarto atsaka tumambay sa veranda. I opened my instagram account and then I saw Siam's story.
She's holding Caidence's hand with a caption, "Please wake up."
And then the next slide confused me more.
There's no picture but it says, "Not my hand."
My brows furrowed when I suddenly saw Avia's video story. It was Caidence who is still unconcious and a man who's holding her hand while sleeping.
"Asher, wake up." Avia tapped the man's back. The man woke up and looked at Avia.
"Stop recording, Villafranca." He covered the camera and the video ended.
Seriously, Helix?
***
Siam's POV
"ANG SWEET MO NAMAN, PAPA KILLIAN!" Pang-aasar ko kay Asher habang tawa naman nang tawa si Avia sa gilid.
"Shut up, Alera." He spouted as he transferred to the sofa.
"Wushoo! Anong oras ka dumating dito, ha?" Tinusok-tusok ko ang bewang niya.
"Stop it, you're so noisy." Irap niya dahilan para mas lalo kaming matawa.
"Ikaw naman kasi, may pahawak pa ng kamay! Jowa ka?" Gatong ni Avia.
"Naku! Asher, I'm telling you. Hindi pa 'yan nakaka-move on." Sabat ko.
"I'm not saying anything." He hissed, napipikon na.
"Oh, e anong oras ka nga bumisita?" Kompronta ko.
"Exactly 6."
"Ba't nakatulog ka agad? Nagpuyat ka ba?" Tanong naman ni Avia at inilapag na sa mesa ang tinake-out namin from a fastfood restaurant. Amoy kemikal kasi ang pagkain sa cafeteria, no offense.
Imbes na sumagot ay kumain na lang siya. Nagkatinginan kami ni Avia at sabay na nagpigil ng tawa.
Halatang halata naman kasi itong si Asher, hindi man lang marunong magtago ng feelings!
***
Avia's POV
Alas-otso na nang muli kong tignan ang oras. Nakapagtataka lang dahil wala si Tito Aiden dito, nakita ko siya kanina sa labas kausap si Tita Ice at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa siya bumabalik.
"NO!"
Sabay-sabay kaming napatayo nang biglang sumigaw si Caidence.
"Hey, are you okay? Thank God, you're finally awake!" Tuwang tuwang sabi ni Siam.
Dahan-dahang bumangon si Caidence, inalalayan ko naman siyang makaupo.
"Here." Inabutan siya ng tubig ni Asher.
Tinanggap niya 'yon at mabilis na ininom.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
I can't read her mind but I can read her eyes. It shouts sadness, disappointment and frustration.
"I... killed her." She started crying.
I hate sad Caidence. Mabilis niyang naipapasa sa ibang tao ang nararamdaman niya. Bumibigat ang ambiance ng paligid kapag umiiyak siya... just like what happened when Ishmael broke up with her. Niyakap ko siya para patahanin.
"You didn't kill anyone. Don't blame yourself." I consoled her.
"Avia's right, Caid. It's not your fault." Siam agreed as she caressed Caid's hair.
"No, kung kwarto lang sana ang una kong binuksan... kung ginamit ko sana ang utak ko... sana... sana buhay pa siya. I tried but I failed... I am always a failure! I hate myself!"
"No, you're not! Listen to me, Caid. Don't hate yourself. We love you!" Pagpapaintindi ko sa kaniya.
Imbes na sumagot ay mas lalo lamang siyang napahagulgol. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako. I am expecting this. I know her, she's too soft. Maaga akong pumunta rito dahil alam kong gigising siyang ganito.
"I'll call your Dad." Paalam ko atsaka madaling lumabas.
Habang tumatakbo sa hallway ay nakasalubong ko si Ishmael.
"Have you seen Tito Aiden?" Humahangos kong tanong.
"Cafeteria with my mom." He answered. "Why?"
"She's awake... blaming herself for what happened. I think, she needs her Dad."
***
Asher's POV
"My mom's calling. I have to answer this." Siam excused herself.
"No, don't leave me. Stay here, please." Caidence pleaded, still crying.
"Caid, this is important. We have plans later." She explained.
"Go ahead, ako nang bahala rito." Sinenyasan ko na siyang lumabas. Muling pumalahaw si Caidence. "Stop crying. I'm still here." Naglabas ako ng panyo para punasan ang mukha niya.
"Lahat na lang umaalis... lahat na lang iniiwan ako... si Mommy... si Kuya Chance... si Clayton... si Ishmael... si Avia at si Siam..." She whined.
"What? Lumabas lang sina Avia at Siam, hindi ka nila iniwan." Kumunot ang noo ko.
"You... you're going to leave me too."
I shook my head. Hindi ko maintindihan kung epekto ba 'to ng nangyari or operation but I want to understand her more so I looked directly at her eyes.
"Stop reading my mind!" Asik niya atsaka ako tinampal sa noo.
"You're acting like a kid." I hissed.
"Sorry..." She looked down. "I can't understand myself. I feel so lonely." She started sobbing again. "Can you sit beside me?"
Limang segundo akong nag-isip bago naupo sa tabi niya.
Damn it. When our skins came into contact, I could even hear my own heartbeat. Good thing, Royalty isn't here. Nobody will know how my heart beats when I'm this close to Caidence.
"I killed her." She smiled bitterly.
"No, you did not." I avouched.
"I did."
"You did not."
"I did nga."
"Hindi nga sabi."
Ilang segundo kaming nagkatinginan hanggang sa bigla na naman siyang lumuha.
"Caid, stop crying."
"Sorry... It was just... I can't help it."
I sighed as I come closer to her. I hugged her and tried to give her an enough comfort that she really needs right now.
"Bakit ang daming namamatay dahil sa atin?" She cried even harder. I heaved a deeper sigh.
"Rest. Calm down and rest your mind. I won't leave until you get the rest you need."
***
Ishmael's POV
I was about to open the door when I saw Asher hugging Caidence. I know, I shouldn't react like this but I couldn't help it.
Unti-unti kong isinara ang pinto atsaka tumalikod.
"Oh, Ishmael. How is she?" Biglang dumating si Tito Aiden kasama si Mom, Avia and Siam.
"She's fine. Asher's with her." I answered. "I'm going." Paalam ko sa kanila.
Sumakay na ako ng elevator nang bigla akong sundan ni Mommy.
"You okay?" She asked.
"Of course, Mom."
"You sure?"
"Of course, Mom."
"You still love her?"
"Of course—Mom!"
Tumawa siya nang mahuli ako. Inis akong nag-iwas ng tingin at bumuntong hininga. No wonder, sa kaniya talaga nagmana si Illyria.
//.