Sweet And Sour

Chapter 6: Devastated

Mark's POV 

I heard after 3 days of her wake she was cremated. During those days, beer and liquors were my comforting pillows, I keep thinking if everything is real.

Her body, what once an epitome of beauty, grace and sophistication yet so humble looking is now turned to ashes in an elegant looking urn, placed at their family's mausoleum, or so they say. Today, her cremation ceremony will be held. I mustered up to the courage I didn't know I still had to go there even with a heavy heart. It feels like someone's gripping my heart watching the people cry my face is covered in tears.

"I can't, Kath." I wiped off the tears from eyes 

"In my world you're still alive." I was about to turn when my eyes caught or should I say someone under a tree near where I am standing.

 "Kath?" I whispered. I thoroughly examined the figure. It's Kath,

Still bewildered I managed to follow and ran to her but I didn't catch up. I lowered my head in disappointment and saw a handkerchief.

"Kathleen"

I read the embroidery in it. Why does it sound familiar? Kathleen? Kathleen Madrigal? Who are you? Why do you look like Katalina? Wait does she even look like her? But why? Why would you fool me?

I am more confused. I quickly went home .I want, no! I need an answer to my questions or I'll go nuts. "Please Kath, I wish it was you please let it be you."

"Why I didn't bring my phone?"

"Hayyss"

When I got home I rushed to my bedroom and looked for my phone under the sheets.

"found it!" I shouted thankfully my load hasn't expired yet. I turned on the data, opened my fb account and typed Kathleen Madrigal on the search bar. There were numerous results and I checked it one by one but to my dismay, I didn't find her. I tried in google still the results were the same. I even made an Instagram account typed her name.

"Gotcha!" I exclaimed. I smiled secretly as I scroll through her pictures. I'm not hallucinating I know it's Kath. I felt salty drops making its way down my face. I know it's her I can feel deep in every corner of my mind, body and soul, it's her. If this girl is her twin maybe they don't want me for her. Yes, maybe that's it.

That night, I waited and I was disappointed. Where are you hon? I'm waiting for you. How many bottles have I emptied? 3? 6? I counted looking at my hands but failed. My vision was already blurry. I want to forget, I want to escape this adversity even just for a second because it hurts so much.

This agonizing pain is slowly killing me. I am losing my sanity. I lost focus on my studies, I'm losing myself and I can't do that because I still have dreams to achieve for my family and for me. I stayed longer in Aleng Nina's store than in my house, bottles of beer, gin and brandy are scattered on the table, I wonder when will I sober up? I thought I was numb enough to feel no pain anymore when I felt a throbbing pain on my jaw. After I recovered I looked for who the person was. I don't know what to say. Dad punched me.

"I hope that's enough for you to wake up, huh?" he said and grabbed me by the collar.

"Don't you throw your life just like that."

"Do you think Kath will be happy if you're like this?" he angrily said but I can see behind the anger my father's concern for me.

"Remember your happy memories with each other especially your promises to her." Out of nowhere some sort o movie screen flashed the moments we shared from the time I first saw her, the time I made my promise.

"promise me that you'll never give up no matter how hard life is"

"I promise." She enveloped me with her loving arms and whispered "once we're successful we'll build our own family. I love you." I hugged her back.

A tear escaped my eye. Dad's right, hon, I will not surrender because I believe I'll still end up with you. I will continue what I've started and I must be a rock, strong and firm amidst changing weathers.