SEE YOU IN HEAVEN [FANTASERIES #2]

Chapter Forty Three: Hades

CHAPTER FORTY THREE: 

HADES 

THE New Year's Day was as lively as the New Year's Eve. The neighborhood seems to prepare food that will last for about a week. It was 11AM when someone knocked on Heidee's door, asking us to go and have a lunch with them. Bukod sa mga tirang pagkain kaninang madaling araw ay may mga panibagong luto na pagkain. I can see lechon. Ang mga nakatatandang lalaki sa dalampsigan ay nagkakatay ng manok.

After lunch, another set was prepared. May ibang taga village, at ibang taga bayan na dumayo para makikain. It was just a small town here in Cagayan, and the people knows each other. I was introduced like a family member once again, and I was greeted with a warm welcome. Some even asked me to visit their place so they could offer me their specialties. Heidee on the other hand was busy with the neighbors. Ayaw na siyang pakawalan dahil matagal siya bago nakauwi.

They prepared for videoke set, casino like games, and games for ids. May mga alcoholic drinks din doon but only the elderlies are allowed to drink. Heidee shook her head when I looked at her. People here in the province are disciplined well.

"Eclipse, magtago ka! Gagawin ka nang siopao." I heard Casper on the side while I was playing volleyball along with others.

Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa ilalim ng niyog dahil naiinitan daw siya habang katabi si Eclipse. He even borrowed my sunglasses and carried Eclipse along with him. I was worried since he seems to be out of place, but looking at him, it looks like he's enjoying himself. Sandali naming nakalimutan ang dahilan kung bakit kami nandito.

"Warm people..." I whispered while looking at the kids playing on the shore. May maliit na bola silang dala-dala. Sandali akong tumigil dahil ako ang magse-set ng bola. I was with the people my age as we are watching out for the kids while they are playing. They were shy at me at first, but they asked me to play volleyball with them. Mabuti na lang at marunong ako kahit papaano.

"OUT!" Sigaw ko at natawa nang malakas nang walang nag-receive ng bola. I heard the defeat of my playmates. Casper was standing under the coconut tree with his muscle sando and a lose summer short. Hiniram iyon ni Heidee sa isang kapit bahay nilang walang kalaban laban sa kaniya.

"Hindi!"

We keep on playing until we found ourselves resting in the shore. Since my hair was long, the kids are playing with my hair, braiding them the way they want. For the entire time, I was smiling. It wasn't a forced smile, but I real one. So, this is how it feels to take even a baby step.

"Having fun?" Casper stood up in front of me. I didn't answer him with a word, and even I was the only one sees him right now, except Heidee, my smile widened. It doesn't feel like I have to answer. My face says it all.

"Ate, college ka na po diba?" ani ng katabi ko.

I nodded my head. "Yes. Why? Anong grade mo na ba?" I asked. Mukhang hindi nalalayo ang edad niya sa akin.

"Medyo na late kaya magc-college pa lang ako. Mahirap ba?"

I smiled. I'm not academically poor but the situation I was in during college, and up until now made it hard. The constant anxiety attack, and my mental situation, it was too difficult for me to survive. I was doubting my existence, I was scared of the people around me that might take advantage of my weakness, and my past. I was lost.

"Hindi naman..." I looked at the people around us before looking at her. Her name was Sunny. "People here seem to support you, hangga't may sumusuporta sa'yo, hindi ka mahihirapan..."