Kabanata 35:
Letting Go
Threscia Alessandra's Point of View
Both families arranged to hold the grand funeral at Yuan's Hotescape which will be booked for the entire day so no checked-in guests are allowed. We preferred the funeral to be confidential because I want to be peaceful and quiet.
Only our families' close friends attended the funeral. We also chose a close casket for baby Teresine. As expected, all guests were wearing white clothes. Grant and I were seated in front together with both families.
I then stared at my daughter's color silver coffin which was surrounded by different kinds of flowers as wreaths from the guests were displayed outside and inside of the multi-purpose hall.
Our schoolmates sent their condolences to us and they're also surprised because of what happened.
Two large candles on silver pillars were on both sides of the casket and a cross is at the center of the wall. Grant's left arm is encircled around my waist while we are seated as our fingers are intertwined.
Tumayo kami ni Grant at tinungo ang casket ni baby Teresine. Habang palalapit kami sa pwesto niya ay kumikirot ang puso ko. Hindi ko alam pero sariwa pa rin sa akin ang nangyari sa kaniya.
Nang makalapit kami ay marahan kong hinaplos ang kabaong niya. I can't help but a sob overtook me as I stared at my daughter's coffin.
"Baby Teresine, why did you left us so early?" Mahina kong tanong habang hinahaplos ang kabaong niya. Hinayaan ko lang na tumulo ang luha ko dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman ko.
"I hope you are happy in paradise, p... princess. Your dad and I are so proud of having you as our daughter even in just a day. It was m... my happiest day when I... gave birth to you. It was just too cruel that you left us early, princess," I stammered as I uttered those words.
I can't hold my tears anymore so I let them race down. I then felt Grant gently hugs me as he caressed my back.
That's when I cried out and he just keeps on caressing my back which is slightly made me calm. Kahit sana nabuhat ko 'man lang at natitigan ang anak ko sa huling sandali pero hindi nangyari.
Kahit sana nahalikan ko siya at nagpakilala bilang ina niya pero hindi ko na magagawa 'yon. Kung sana mas maaga ko siyang pinuntahan ay nasilayan ko pa siya sa huling sandali.
Ni wala pa akong litrato kasama siya at kahit kailan ay hindi na mangyayari 'yon.
"I'm sure that she's watching us from above, baobei. Stop crying, please. It makes my heart aches too," pagtatahan sa akin ni Grant at dahil doon ay lalo akong umiyak.
"W... We can do this, baobei. I... I'm always here. I won't leave you," he assured and I just nodded between my weep. Niyakap ko siya pabalik at sumandal sa balikat niya.
"WHERE'S GRANT?" Pagkababa ko ay agad kong tinanong si Manang Marilou na kasalukuyang naglilinis ng sala. Tumigil ito saglit sa paglilinis at humarap sa akin.
Pagkagising ko kasi ay wala na siya sa tabi ko at Linggo ngayon. Alam ko na wala siyang pasok kapag Linggo.
Isang linggo na ang nakalipas simula no'ng nailibing na si Teresine at hindi kami pumapalya ni Grant na bisitahin siya araw-araw.
"Pinuntahan niya po si Ma'am Bethany, Miss Threscia. Kailangan daw po kasi siya ng anak niya," tugon niya sa akin na ikinatango ko lang.
"Sige po, salamat," nakangiti kong tugon at tumango lang ito. Kapagkuwa'y pinagpatuloy na niya ang paglilinis.
BINABASA MO ANG
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