Kissing the fire

Kabanata 31

Reunion

Tito Louie is Mommy Estrella's youngest brother. And among my relatives on my stepmother's side, Tito Louie is the kindest and most purest of heart. At a young age, he was a successful lawyer. My heart broke when I learned about the news. Pinaka-close kasi naming lahat si Tito Louie, lalo na si kuya.

"My condolences to your family, Estrella. Atty. Saavedra will surely never be forgotten. He was a good man." a man in his middle forties, probably another lawyer, talked to mom.

We were sitting in a long table, together with my sister, dad and mom. Kuya is locking up in his room, still in the stage of indenial about what's happening right now. I can't blame him though.

I also can't believe that Tito Louie would kill himself. I know him since I was young, he has high dreams for himself, he was building his name, and this... This happened. Maybe I... I really didn't knew him well.

We are in Cebu right now, in the Saavedra's Manor. My other aunts and uncles are still not complete, iyong iba ay nasa Manila pa. Hindi nga dapat ako pumunta dito kung hindi lang kay Tito Louie. Surely, my other so called relatives and fake cousins will criticize me but I don't care anymore, I'm here for tito anyway.

"Pinaiimbestigahan ko na sa mga pulis kung ano talagang nangyari kay Louie, maybe there was a foul–" panimula ni daddy but mom cut her off.

"You saw what happened, Samson." mariing sambit ni mommy kay dad.
"There was multiple cuts on the both sides of his wrist! I should've seen it coming..." mommy said and sobbed.

"It's not anyone's fault, Estrella."

"Dapat noong pumunta ako dito last week ay tinanong ko siya kung anong problema niya... I saw his face, Samson. He seemed worried and problematic but I... I just ignored him!" mommy sobbed even hard. I just bit my lip to stop myself from crying, Ate beside me is sobbing now as well. Next week pa sana ang uwi niya kaso she hurriedly went home when she heard about Tito Louie.

I am absent until friday dahil sa darating na linggo ay ililibing na agad si Tito.

I was sad for Tito Louie's brief life. He could've done so much better. But I need to understand. Whatever his reasons are, I will truly understand. I hope he may seek peace in whatever answer he pursued.

"Oh, Louie!" We were shock of Aunt Esmeralda's weeps. Nandito na si Auntie, susunod na ang mga kampon niya.

She kneeled while making her way to Tito Louies' coffin.

Nasa likod niya sina Kelly at Kyla, ang kambal na kampon ng kadiliman. Charot. Nakaluhod din sila at umiiyak katulad ng kanilang nanay.

Samantalang si Emerson naman na kapatid din nila at anak din ni Aunt Esmeralda ay napailing na lang sa ginagawa ng kanyang pamilya at umupo na lang sa sofa. He seems apathetic about his tito's death. Well, ganyan naman talaga siya.

"Ate Esmeralda..." pilit pinapatayo ni mommy Estrella si auntie pero nanatili siyang nakaluhod at umiiyak habang humahawak sa kanyang puso, animo'y tila aatakihin sa puso mula sa kakaiyak. Ang kambal ay tumayo na at umupo na rin sa kabilang sofa kung nasaan ang isa pa nilang kapatid. They didn't even bother to take a peek at the coffin.

"How could you do this to yourself, Louie?" Aunt's sobs were heard even more. "Sana hindi mo na lang pinatay ang sarili mo! Our parents spent tons of dollars on your Law shit at Harvard and this is what you will give them? This is what you'll leave to us? You should've done better to approbate the Saavedra's Legacy!"

Me and ate just listened to her desperate pleas. Hindi ko alam kung alam ba ni aunt Esmeralda na nandito rin ang ibang mga co-workers ni Tito. I couldn't believe that aunt is still worrying about their bloodline even if her brother's dead.

"Esme!"dumating na rin si Uncle Rick, the Eldest son of the Saavedra's

"Ate Esmeralda, please stand up. There are people watching... " sabi ni mommy at tinulungang makatayo si Aunt Esmeralda.

"You're showing too much scene again, Esmeralda." Uncle Rick said.

"This isn't too much, kuya Ricardo. Our brother just died! What am I supposed to do? Celebrate?" Aunt Esmeralda said and rolled her eyes at Uncle Rick, she suddenly looked at me and I averted my gaze right away. I'm not in the mood to be bombarded by her stupid mocks.

"Sit down on the sofa, ate. I'll just get you a glass of water." Mommy said and made her way to the kitchen.

Lumapit si Uncle Rick sa kabaong ni Tito Louie at pinadausdos ang palad niya sa glass ng coffin.

"Wala na tuloy akong kakampi kapag pinaparinggan or sinusungitan nila ako." kwento ko kay ate Riri na nasa tabi ko and she then squeezed my hand.

Kapag may family gathering kasi kami dito, palaging ako ang center of attention ng mga Saavedra. kesyo anak sa labas, hindi tunay na Saavedra, aksidente lang, pabigat, and many more. Amidst the rants and criticisms that I received from my relatives, there's Tito Louie who'll always stands up for me

"Era's the best dancer! I suppose she'll represent the Philippines soon, Ate Estrella."

"Hey, don't be too harsh on her. Era is doing nothing wrong, you're the one who's supposed to be punished here, Kelly."

"Ate, i-ayon mo naman ang pangalan mo sa pakikitungo mo kay Era. There should be Beauty in it."

"Kyla! Stop torturing Era."

"Ate Esmeralda, Era has done nothing wrong. I saw her. It's your twins' fault."

"Oliver, Stop mocking her."

Ate looked at me and gave me her genuine smile.

"Nandito naman kami, Era. If they'll mock you then Reno and I will be offended as well." she said. "I hope the others won't come. I had enough with Aunt Esmeraldas' exaggerated gesticulations,"

"Beauty!" aunt Emeralda exclaimed when a woman in a sophisticated dress went to Tito Louies' coffin.

Speaking of...

Nasa likod din niya ang kanyang dalawang anak na sina Toffer, ang panganay at si Kristy, the 2nd child. I wonder where's Stephanie?

Sumunod na pumasok ay si Tito Val, ang asawa ni Tita Beauty, bitbit ang egocentric na si Stephanie.

"Mommmmmy!!! I want marshamallows!!! Gimme some mallows!!" umalingawngaw ang boses ni Steph sa buong manor ng Saavedra. Nag-mana talaga sa Aunt Esmeralda niya.

"Omg! Ate Esmeralda, what happened to your face?" Ate Riri and I groaned when we heard his annoying voice. It's Uncle Oliver, lost in a man's body.

It's another annoying family reunion again...