Eighteen

Prologue

Music blasted in the air. A blur of people were swaying about on the dance floor. Oliver's face was flat on the table and Isla's prattling shit I didn't understand. Three more bogans were on the prowl and one sitting across from me—Noah. He had his chin on his palm, staring out in the crowd—or at a lady he had his eyes drawn to.

Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang kumalas sa baga ko.

"Noah, when's home?" Isla asked in a drunken voice.

"Anyone else feel like goin' home? Not me." He flicked his head toward me. "Where's the sheilas at, Anais?"

"Obv not anywhere 'round," I said and chucked my head backward.

"Nuh-uh. This ain't you, mate. Besides, don't they make life . . . sublime?"

"Besides, I'm not in the mood. Rackoff, mate," I mocked his tone with the first one.

"Alright-y, mate-y. Then if you'll excuse me, I've got some serious business here." He winked, sauntering toward a table.

He had a girl's arms wrapped around his neck right then and there. Not even a second later, they started eating away at each other's lips.

I turned to Oliver and inspected his pockets, nipping a stick of ciggy out. He groaned and stirred in his sleep, his head falling over the table. I had to lay him properly on the couch before heading out to the smoking area.

Melbourne's air wafted in my nostrils as soon as I opened the door to the balcony. The night couldn't get any younger. I should be enjoying myself back in there but doing so felt so damn wrong.

Wala sa plano kong pumunta rito, pero basta dinala na lang ako ng mga paa ko kanina. I was a jerk for a grandson. Earlier this afternoon, my grandmother had passed on. The worst thing was I hadn't shed a single tear in the last five hours.

I'd been in that hospital room, saw her pale and lifeless as that of a wilted sunflower. And just like that, we'd lost the light of our lives—both gramps and I. I was still debating until now, whether to accept what I'd witnessed or deny the whole thing.

Fuck.

As if that'd change a thing.

A tear rolled down my cheek as smoke came out billowing out of my gaping mouth. I was missing her so much. I missed her smile and the way she'd scold me everytime. I missed the way she cared so much it choked me sometimes, but I'd never cared 'bout that, anyway. Hell, her love had been everything to us.

It's a pleasant feeling—a lola's love—and the moment you lose it, it's as if you've lost your way homeward.

Kanina lang, nagbibiro kami tungkol sa magiging apo niya sa tuhod. Nagtatawanan pa nga kami tapos bigla na lang siyang nang-iwan. Freaking unfair!

"Anais, kailan ka uuwi sa inyo? Your mom wants to see her second-born." Her voice was groggy. If this was how she sounded like, then I'd rather not hear a word she said.

"She already has three children by her side; I'm staying with you," giit ko.

The door swung open. Pops walked in, lunch in his hand. He said, "You talk as if you're not part of the children's branch, kid."

"I'm your son. End of discussion," I hedged.

Their gazes softened.

"Anais, I'm going to pass soon. Pl---"

"Lola!"

"Conchita!"

Gulat kaming pareho ni Pops sa sinambit ni Lola.