Happy Red Celebration

3

3:57 P.M, Wednesday
February 20, 2019

Zyra's POV:

"Zyra!" Ceelyn's mother, Caroline, immediately hugged me the moment I entered the hospital room.

I could already see Ceelyn lying on the bed. Ang dami niyang benda sa ulo at andaming nakakabit na tube sa kanya. I could also see her dad by the seats, sleeping. He looks so tired, and so was Tita Carol.

"You can leave Zyra here, nurse. I know her dad's outside, tell him Carol's inside. I'll just call when she's going to leave na." Sabi ni Tita sa nurse at umalis na ito.

Umupo ako sa katabing upuan ng kama ni Ceelyn at si Tita naman sa tabi ko.

I stared at Ceelyn. She's just a little bit pale but she already looks lifeless. She was too good. She don't deserve this.

"Hindi pa po siya nagising?" Humarap ako kay Tita Carol, and I guess, I regret asking that question now. Tita was crying.

"Oo, ija. Since the accident, she haven't woke up since then."

Then silence filled the room. The only noise was Ceelyn's holter and the AC.

I can't believe na ganito pala ang mangyayari sa amin just because of a celebration party.

"I shouldn't have agreed letting Cee to go to that party. And now, there's someone lingering around who did this to my daughter." Tita broke the silence.

"But you know, I think God still have mercy for my kid and me." Pinunasan ni Tita ang kanyang mga luha gamit ang tissue. "Kasi she didn't died like the others."

"Oh." My head started ringing.

'Kasi she didn't died like the others.'

'She didn't died like the others.'

'Died like the others.'

'Like the others.'

"Ija?" I looked at Tita and she was staring right back at me.

"You were zoning out, are you okay?" She asked faintly.

...I was.

"I think you should go na. You should rest. I heard from Franklin na kaninang umaga ang first inquisition sayo ng inspectors."

Napatango ako. "Be strong po Tita. Ceelyn needs you and Tito." I reminded her.

"Ikaw din, ija. Please help to uncover the truth. Help the police to know the truth. I know it's hard...but please try."

I held Ceelyn's hand for the last time and bid goodbye kay Tita Carol before leaving the room.

Pagkalabas ko sa kwarto, my dad immediately walked to me, bombarding me with questions if I were okay and what do I feel.

"Dad, I think I'm fine, thank you. Can...I ask a favor?" I gulped.

I just really wanna see them.

"What favor, anak?" He stood by my side as we walk.

"Can...I see my...friends?" Natigilan si dad sa paglalakad.

He looked at the nurse beside her before looking back at me. "Are you sure, anak?" He asked me. "Diba sabi mo dati you still can't face them? Can you take it? Baka sumaki—"

"No, dad. I just really want to see them...to know." I assured dad and walked again.

"Hmm...I'll arrange it and tell the authorities." Dad says.

I really want to see my friends. I still can't believe it. I want to say sorry to them. I didn't saved them like what they did to me before. I didn't even helped them. And now...they're gone.