Malia POV:
I'm hoping mom and dad haven't returned yet. They'll reconsider if they see where I've gone, but I'm curious about the urgency. I hope it isn't about me, but if it is, I hope mommy and daddy can defend my choice. Sana nga-
"Huy! May nangyare ba kanina? Anong ginawa sayo ng ahas na Eva na yun? Sinaktan ka ba o ininsulto? Ikaw naman eh, sinabihan na kitang gusto ko pa makapag-usap sa kanya kanina pero nagmamadali ka. Yan tuloy hindi ko manlang siya binati?" Jessan suddenly declared.
"Oo nga naman Lia ako din" Keirt added.
"We already talked. But what do you mean na babatiin mo siya Jess?"
"Edi babatiin ng suntok! Mahirap ba yun? Tingnan mo ang ginawa niya sayo. Sa inyo! Alam mo dapat sa babaeng yan ilibing ng hindi bababa ng 100 feet para makapag meet up na sila ng asawa niyang si Satanas. Kung gaano ka banal yung pangalan ganoon din ka demonyita-"
"At hindi naman kagandahan ang ugali hindi kagaya ng sa itsura niya nasobrahan ata sa plastic surgery ang babaeng yan. Baka ginayuma niyan si tito Greggy noong may gagawin sana sila" Kiert cutted Jessan pati si manong driver napatingin sa amin na sinabihan kong huwag magsumbong kila mommy sa ginawa naming tatlo sa ngayon. Mabuti na lang at masunurin si manong Roel.
"Guys! Even if she done something wrong and is sincere in her apology to me and my family. I'm confident that we can all forgive her, even if it's improbable"
"Ay jusko teh, malabong mangyare talaga yan, kelan ka nakakita na yung ahas ay magiging banal? Kahit anong alaga o gagawin mo, mapa amo lang yan matutuklaw ka pa rin niyan at ganyan si Eva. HIndi niya naman madadala yung pagka CEO niya sa pagkamatay niya. Baka nga naka sulat na yan yung pangalan niya sa impyerno, hinihintay na lang yan ni Satanas ma deds-"
"It's too much!" I cutted her.
"Tama na! Kahit ano pang kasalanan na nagawa niya if she'll repent and ask our forgiveness we will always forgive her. Just let her think muna, I know at the end she'll regret what she did. Specially to mommy. I'm sure you're aching for me as well, but none of us can do things that would anger mom and dad. For genuine, we should not have continued this earlier, perhaps you two of my remaining friends will be impacted, at yun ang pinaka kinatatakutan kong mangyare" I added as if I'm going to cry.
"Ayan ka na naman, siyempre kaibigan ka namin. Papaangatin ka namin kahit hindi mo alam na nahuhulog kana. Sino lang ba naman ang magtutulong-tulungan kundi tayong tatlo na lang ang natititra. At para kang sira! Sanay kaming sigawan pa man o kahit paluin pa ni tita Irene. Basta ang mahalaga ay tinutulungan ka namin at hindi inaalipusta"
"Mas masakit sa amin Malia na ikaw ang lumalangoy sa kahirapan at sakit na hindi mo naman dapat dinarama. Kaya namin pinapalakas ang loob mo dahil nalalapit na lang ang pinili mong desisyon. Kaya huwag mo sanang bigyan ng masama o baka sabihin mo na akala namin sayo ay mahina ka pero hindi. Kami ang magiging mahina kapag wala kana, kahit pigilan ka pa namin ngunit gusto mo nang magpahinga. Wala naman na kaming magagawa. Kahit masakit talaga ay susuportahan pa rin namin kasi kaibigan ka namin. Oo dapat sa hindi sa ganitong sitwasyon pero mapilit ka eh. Kaya sa araw na mawawala kana, hindi namin alam ni Jessan kung anong kalagayan ng mundo na wala kana. Sa mas madaling salita nahihirapan din kami at sinusubukang maging matapang dahil sayo. Sapagkat sa huli, kaming dalawa na lang ang matitira" Keirt spoke that long and made Jessan tear a little bit.
"Well I guess here we go again. Anuba! Don't cry muna. Simply set it aside for my funeral. No pala, because no one should grieve at my burial, as I will follow the one who will. I'm not interested in a somber funeral, I want you to be happy since I'm going to rest" I said as I wipe my tears.
"Bobita ka talaga! Sino bang tangang ang matatawa kapag ililibing kana? Hindi naman kami baliw, alangan kami magpapakasaya habang tinatabunan ka na ng lupa? Mabuti na lang sana kung si Eva yung ililibing" Jessan exclaimed.
"Ayan ka na naman! Don't involve her in this na. The important is I already confronted her. But as of now, I want us to make some memories okay? Manong Roel doon po tayo dumeretso sa sinabi ko kanina" I state.
"Sige po ma'am" kuya Roel answered naman.
"Teka s-saan? Kuya Roel saan mo po kami dadalhin?" Jessan and Keirt concur.
"In a location that I desire for the two of you to choose"
"S-saan Lia?" Keirt declare.
"You'll gonna know it" I said as I raise my two eyebrows and told them to wait na lang.
And just a few minutes we're already here.
"Here! Nandito na tayo baba na kayo" I stated and was the first to exit the car.
"Teh kakakain lang namin sa bahay niyo at hindi pa naman tayo gutom bakit nasa karinderya tayo?" Jessan exclaimed.
"Huh? Who said we're going to eat? Doon tayo across the street" I quote.
"Ano? Eh punerarya yan Malia. Anong gagawin natin jan?" Keirt added.
"Just follow me" I confidently said and held the hand of Jessan.
"Hello ma'am, magandang umaga. Naparito po kayo?" Manong guard said as we're at the entrance.
"Uhm kuya is it okay po to look for a casket inside? Magpapareserve lang po sana ako" sambit ko.
While Jessan and Keirt are just at my back still in thoughts why I brought them here.
"Ay sige po ma'am, tawagin ko lang po ang tauhan para may mag assist sa inyo"
"Sige po, salamat" I concur and in just a few seconds. There's someone assist us na.
"Ma'am dito po tayo, para makapili po kayo"
"Sige po ate" I state while the two are just still quiet.
Then when we're already inside of a room where full of caskets I already evoke to Jessan and Keirt why we're here.
"So both of you are asking earlier. And this is it. I want both of you to choose what casket I'm going to use. And ate, reserve niyo po next month ang pipiliin kong kabaong ha" I declare to the lady. And as a result she was also surprised.
"P-po? Ibig pong sabihin para po sa inyo ang kabaong pipiliin niyo ma'am?"
"Y-yes po, is it okay po that you'll leave us for a while po? May pag-uusapan lang po kami. I'll call you immediately kapag nakapili na ako" I state.
"S-sure ma'am" the answer I got while she's still shocked upon what I just said.
And when it's only the three of us here inside Jessan suddenly spoke.
"M-malia gusto mo ba ngayon pa lang ilalagay na kita sa loob ng kabaong? Nakakainis ka naman, shuta naman eh. Akala ba naman namin ni Keirt magbobonding tayo kasi yun ang gusto mo. Magkaroon ng mga magagandang alala. Pero anoto? Mukhang papatayin mo naman ako kasi sa inis. Talagang hindi kana nakakatuwa" she state and looked so very disappointed.
"Oo nga Lia, napaka aga naman at nambibigla ka sa mga ganito. Grabe ka" Keirt added.
"Hey! Please, do not be that way guys! I simply want you to select a casket. There is nothing wrong with that. Mamamatay din naman ako, so please! Just this lang, and promise. I will not do anything na ikaiinis niyo"
"Paano ba naman kasi eh mukhang minamadali mo na ang oras at panahon dahil rito. Hindi ba pwedeng sila tita at tito ang gagawa nito? Masakit kaya sa aming mga kaibigan moto. Papipiliin kami ng hihigaan mo habang buhay. Pwera na lang kung kay Eva to" sambit ni Jessan na kaagad ko namang tiningnan ng matalim.
"Anoba! Syempre biro lang. Pero Malia naman, normal pa ba to? Kung alam lang talaga namin na dito mo kami dadalhin ay sa una pa lang dumiretso na lang kami ng uwi" she declare.
"Well I'm sorry for that, but just please choose na lang Jess and Keirt. For me" I said and pout.
"Alam mo ikaw, may sira kana ata sa utak sa pinag gagawa mo na to Lia eh. Pero ano pa bang magagawa namin" she state which Keirt agreed.
"Yes! So pumili na kayo!" I said and reasoned that they would not move, as they still appeared displeased with what I accomplished. However, a minute passed and the two walked about looking for a casket.
I'm aware that some will regard me as an idiot for doing so, but for me. I'm relieved and grateful that my friends and family members appreciate my decision.
"May napili na kami" after half of an hour. Jessan and Kiert comeback and state.
"Well good! Where is it?" I inquired and they simultaneously directed me to the rear, where I quickly went to.
The casket is gold in color and features a curve on the side. They genuinely chose a casket for me that was exceptional.
"This is so majestic. Sabi na nga ba at hindi ako nagkamali na kayo ang pumili. Many thanks! Even though I am aware that it is against your will," I stated.
"Eh kahit kung ilagay ka pa namin sa ngayon jan dahil sa inis na pinaramdam mo ay hindi naman namin magawa dahil kaibigan ka namin. Siguro hindi to alam ni tita Irene noh?" Jessan concur.
"Of course she was unaware, but when I'm already resting doon niyo na lang sabihin. Is it fine?" I responded, and Jessan unexpectedly hugged me.
"Gaga ka talaga kung hindi lang tayo ganito ka close malamang ay kanina pa kita pinatulog sa loob niyan"
"Hey! Anoba, I'm so thankful nga na nagawa niyo to despite na naiinis na kayo sa akin. Sabi ko, walang iiyak diba? Sige ka ikaw susundan ko" I joked.
"Tanga naman kasi eh! Sino ba kasing hindi maiiyak"
"Tsk, okay. But please stop na okay? Puro lang tayo saya rito hindi lungkot" I state then ate- the one who assist us earlier comeback na.
"Ay hello ate, sorry for it took us so long to choose. But I'll reserve this casket po and will pay na rin" sambit at tumango na ito na kaagad naman kaming dinala sa kung saan magbabayad.
"Ito ma'am just please fill up the form na lang po and you can already pay" she then handed us the paper which I'm the one filled up.
"I don't have a valid ID here. Baka hindi to pwede" I abruptly admit. Then saw kuya Roel outside waiting for us. Perhaps he has one.
Kaya kaagad ko itong pinuntahan.
"Kuya Roel!" I called him na kaagad namang tumawid. He also know these and I'm so thankful that his trustworthy.
"Kuya do you have a valid ID po? Need po kasi namin, sabihin niyo na lang po na third cousin ka nila mommy" I state which made him lost in his thoughts.
"Kuya Roel?" I spoke.
"Ah! Sige po ma'am ito po. Basta po mag ingat na lang po kayo sa ginagawa niyong ito. Baka kasi kapag malaman nila ma'am Irene at Sir Greggy. Baka matanggalan po ako ng trabaho" he exclaimed.
"I guarantee you that this will have no effect on you. Thank you so much for being trustworthy prior to, kuya" I quote and he only grinned in return. I also returned to the cashier and presented them the valid ID. There were no issues, and the lady instructed me to hand over the money directly.
"Here po" I said and have already made the payment. They'll also know when the casket will be utilized, as they already know the precise date of my death.
"Here ma'am keep this for you to show them kapag kukuhanin niyo na po ang kabaong" the lady handed me the receipt which I said thank you and bid my goodbye.
"Salamat po! Mauuna na po kami" I said while the two at my back are just still no words.
Hanggang sa makasakay na kami sa loob ng sasakyan and headed our way home.
"Thank you again" I quote to the both of them.
"Kahit labag sa amin ay walang anuman" Keirt spoke.
"Oo nga" Jessan added.
We just talk some stuff inside the car hanggang sa nakauwi na kami ng bahay. I told them to stay a little bit of time here. Wala pa naman sila mommy and daddy.
"Teh nandito na ata sila tita and tito" Jessan exclaimed as we finished watching a movie.
"They're here na pala. Dito na lang kayo mag lunch Jess para sabay-sabay na tayo. Nagpaluto naman ako kay manang" I said which they agree naman.
When mom and dad entered the house they look like parang may namatayan eh I'm still alive pa naman.
"Hi mommy, daddy" I said and kissed the both of them.
"Hi honey, your friends are here na pala" mom spoke and kissed my forehead same to dad. Jessan and Keirt both greet them naman.
"Uhm sweetheart do you have errands to do tomorrow?" dad suddenly spoke.
"Wala naman po daddy why?"
Then both of them ni mommy exchange some glances.
"I bought the family a ticket for a trip in Greece, remember it's our wedding anniversary ni mommy mo the next day? Bring the two of your friends" mom quote which Jessan and Keirt heard and all of them were shocked specially me.
"Really! I thought-" and was about to open up the annulment papers I saw. But I sensed that the urgent is all about them and they've been reconcile.
"You thought what honey?" mom state.
"N-nothing mommy. But why is it na biglaan naman po?" I note.
"I-It's just we want to spend the time with you. And don't worry anak, for the whole family are not disappointed at you if that's what you think. It's just they were shocked about the announcement you did" mom admit while caressing my face.
"Oh thanks mom. I'm sorry also"
"No worries my baby. Let's have lunch na, dito mo na sila pakainin mga friends mo" mom added.
"Of course mom, manang cooked na. Tara na po" which daddy already headed first to the dining but mommy suddenly hold my hand.
"What is it mom?" I declare and in thoughts why mom wants to cry.
"I love you" that's all she said.
"I-I love you too mom. Are you okay?" I note and the response I received is that she pulled me and hugged me tightly.
"Hey mommy, are you okay?" I added while she's kissing my forehead.
"Yes I am honey. It's just I will miss you" she concur.
"Aww mommy, it's on next month pa. We'll still have a lot of memories to do" I said and hold her hand to the table. Kami na lang kasi ang kulang.
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