Behind That Mellifluous Melody

7

TW: Blood, Murder

I still can't process what I'm seeing. My parents' bodies...it was covered by their own blood. I was paralyzed, I couldn't move a single muscle. Astra was talking to me but I can't hear her. Luvian was on his phone, talking to someone.

"T-this is a..dream, r-right?" I stuttered. I kept blinking, hoping I'll wake up any moment now from this freaking nightmare.

Astra held me in her arms. I hugged her tightly. I can hear her sobs, she's trying her best to be the bigger person for me. I let go then I ran to my parents.

I shaked their bodies, desperately wanting them to wake up. I felt their bloods on my own skin. I keep shouting their names. The door suddenly opened, I was preoccupied that I didn't notice there was already an ambulance outside. The people gathered around, they were med staffs and police or investigators.

Astra and Luvian went to me, they tried to pull me but I resist. I can't leave my parents. Astra stared at Luvian like they have some connection. I was surprised when they used all their force to carry me, I couldn't hold back.

"What the fuck Astra?!" I shouted at her. They already let me go, we were now in my room. Why do they need to do that?

Lumabas na si Luvian and Astra locked the door. She leaned on the door and turned to my way.

"You can hate me all you want but I will not open this door hanggang hindi ka kumakalma." She closed her eyes preventing herself from crying.

"Tangina Astra, my parents are dead, bathing on their own blood and you're expecting me to calm down?!" I raised my tone at her. "What's wrong with you?" My voice cracked. Tears flowed from my eyes continuously.

She let out a deep sigh before talking, "Val, kailangan nilang gawin trabaho nila. Hindi nila 'yon magagawa 'pag nagwawala ka."

"How about my obligation as their child? You don't know what I feel. You've got no slightest idea how painful it is."

"Oo, wala akong alam kung gaano kasakit para sa 'yo yung nangyayari. Pero Val, kaibigan kita. The only thing I know is... responsibilidad na kita. Please, kahit ngayon lang tanggapin mo na kailangan mo rin ng masasandalan. Hindi mo na kailangan magpanggap dahil kilalang-kilala na kita. Masyado kang duwag, Val. Lagi mo na lang sinasarili mga problema mo." Her voice softened. "Enough acting strong when deep inside, you're too fragile. Sawa na akong makita kang ganiyan, ang sakit palang maging kaibigan mo." Her last sentence broke me.

"Nalaman ko na lang kila tita yung nangyari sa'yo, Val. Nakita ko rin yung mga sugat mo. Hindi ko na sinabi sa'yo dahil alam ko ang gagawin mo. You'll just push me away." I can feel the pain in her voice.

"You know what, I realized na you're just too scared. You didn't like the idea of other people seeing how vulnerable you are. Val, kaibigan mo ako..." I went to her and gave her a hug.

"I'm sorry for making you feel like that. It's just that...you have your own problems, I don't want to be a burden to you." I cried, she hugged me back.

"Ang bobo mo talaga."

"Alam ko."

"Kumalma ka na ba?"

"Kinda."

Someone knock on the door, Astra opened it and it was Luvian, looking gloomy.

"Wala na sila. Yung mga gamit nila, wala na rin. The doors were left opened." He informed us. What did he meant by that?

I just remembered by now, "Where's Ivor?" I asked.

They both gave me a concerned look. Until I realized, Luvian was talking about Ivor and his family.

"N-no...they can't do that." I looked at Astra but she avoided my gaze.

"Astra, you know Ivor. Don't tell me you doubt them?"

"Hindi ko na alam, Val. Nalilito na rin ako pero hindi ba may sense ang mga nangyari? Hindi sila pwedeng umalis nang ganoon na lang."

"Now, you're accusing them of killing my parents?" I did not care if I sounded rude to her.

"It's not like that. V---" Hindi ko na siya pinatapos magsalita. I ran to the guest room, I wanted to see it myself.

It was so messy, the drawers were all opened. I checked if they left any belongings but there was none. Not a single thing. I went to my parents' room and their bodies were already being carried.

The inspector and I had a talk. He informed me that they were killed by a gun. He also told me that the primary suspect was Ivor's dad. They couldn't find much information about him.

I called Tita Cathryn, mama's sister who lives in UK with her family and told her what happened. Just like what happened to me, she couldn't processed the news. She sobbed so hard that I got carried away, I cried with her.

She already booked her flight and will be here in three days. I'll be staying in Astra's house while tita is not here yet.

She entered my room and grabbed my arms. "Halika na, maligo na tayo." Ngayon ko lang naalala na I was still covered with blood.

I just let her shampooed my hair. We were quiet, none of us talked hanggang natapos kami. I kinda appreciate that silence, I was just too tired to talk right now.

Sobrang sakit, I couldn't even remember the last time I told my parents I love them. I should be seeing how happy they are right now, celebrating their 20th anniversary. Instead, it was their lifeless body that greeted me.

"Ate, I need to go." Luvian hugged me, he was the same height as me. We're both 5'5 and maybe a few years mas matangkad na siya sa akin.

"Thank you, Ian. Be safe." He smiled then walk away.

"Alis na rin tayo, tulungan na kita sa ibang dala mo." Astra grabbed my things.

Astra's mom is here, she gave me her condolence. She said I could stay there whenever I want to. Nagpasalamat ako then dumiretso na sa kwarto ni Astra.

"Tinawagan ko na ng ilang beses si Ivor pero unreachable. Hindi rin niya nababasa mga texts ko." Astra's voice sounded a little worried.

I flooded him with a lot of texts. I called him and tita Stell but none of them asnwered. I'm starting to believe what Astra had told me.

If ever they did that? What was their motive? Sobrang hirap paniwalaan. They were like my second family. How can they do that?