Stars Above Us (Galaxia Series #1)

Prologue

It's been almost a week since Dad had an accident. Sadly, he's now brain dead. It also simply means he's dead.

Tanging ang ventilator na lang ang bumubuhay sa kaniya. We're just waiting some of our relatives na galing sa iba't ibang lugar para makita siya sa huling sandali bago mag desisyon si Tita Gretel na ipabunot na ang tanging bumubuhay sa kaniya.

I feel numb. I couldn't feel anything. Ever since I went inside his room, I just kept staring at his EKG monitor. I just eat once a day and after that, I'll just have some water or coffee to keep myself awake.

"Dev, you should eat something. You haven't eaten anything mula noong umaga." Tita Gretel approached me and slightly brushed my hair.

"I'm fine Tita. I'll just have something later pagdating ni Ate," I said.

Si Tita Gretel ang naging asawa ni Dad simula noong naghiwalay sila ni Veinna. They had a  divorce and now, Vienna also have her own family.

Veinna. The woman who cheated on my Dad twice. I couldn't look at her the way I look at her when I was a kid. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang nagawa ni Daddy sa kaniya.

My Dad was a great guy. He wanted us to have everything we needed. He would always take us on a family date every Sunday and that was consistent.

"Hi, Tita..." Bati ni Ate sa mahinang boses. "Sino-sino po ang mga bumisita?" She asked before sitting beside me.

"Some of the company employees and some of his colleagues. How's your day?"

She always wants us to feel okay. She would always check on us and ask us what's wrong. We also had a baby sister with them. She's currently 5  years old

They've been married for almost 10 years. At sampung taon na rin kami nakaranas ni Ate ng maayos na pamilya.

After a month, we all decided to let Daddy rest already. I'm with Gillian, our baby sister.  

"Shush... It's ok. Daddy will just rest since he's already tired from working..." I said, trying to comfort her. "Daddy don't want to see you crying, diba?" I smiled at her.

"All of us were crying...Why aren't you crying?" She innocently asked while wiping her tears off.
"Diba, 'pag sad umiiyak? Bakit hindi ka umiiyak? 'Di ka ba sad?"

Natahimik ako. Hindi ko masabi sa kanya na pinipigilan ko ang emosyon  ko. I don't want to break down here. Mas gugustuhin ko pang umiyak ng ako lang, at walang ibang nakakakita.

I looked at Tita Gretel and gave her a sign that I can't answer Gil's questions. She nodded and called Gil to come near her. She hugged Tita's waist and Tita started caressing her hair. How I wish I experienced that...

"Bebe ko..." Ngumuso si Aly sa akin at sinalubong ako ng yakap. Kararating niya lagi sa burol ni Daddy, naka scrub suit pa nga siya na blue. "Kapag hindi ka okay, tawag ka lang ha... I'm just here,"

"Thank you..." Sagot  ko sa kaniya nang bitawan ang pagkakayakap namin sa isa't isa. "Anong gusto mo? Water? Coffee, sopas, or lugaw?" I asked her.

"Lugaw na lang," Sagot niya tsaka umupo sa pinakamalapit na table.

Ipinatong ko sa table ang lugaw niya at umupo sa harapan niya. "Kamusta dentistry?" Tanong ko.

"Ok lang. Ikaw ang  kamusta? Paano mga  plates mo?" Tanong niya pabalik. "Sino nag papasa?" Dagdag niya.

"Nag message naman ako sa mga profs ko na bigyan  ako ng extension. Tsaka sinesend din  naman ni Kai mga lectures, kaya oks na oks" Sagot ko tsaka nagbukas ng candy.

"Hindi ka pa umiiyak 'no?"

"Ha?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Bakit ayaw mong umiyak?" Tanong niya na naman sa   akin.