Cada Momento

Chapter 1: The Tragedy

"Ate Cath, can I ask something?" tanong ni Celine sa akin habang pinapanood akong mag-pinta. Napakunot ang noo ko.

"Mhm, what is it?" tanong ko sa nakababata kong kapatid na nagtaas-baba lang ng balikat niya.

"I have read something on Wattpad. Reincarnation ang story. Ang sabi ng friends ko, totoo raw ang reincarnation. Ikaw, ate? Do you believe in reincarnation?" she asked. I shrugged but then after some time, I shook my head.

"No, hindi ako naniniwala sa reincarnation. I only believe in the afterlife. Heaven and hell, as what they call," I answered. "You know, 'yung souls ng tao, either didiretso sa heaven or mapupunta sa hell. Doon ako naniniwala," dagdag ko.

"So old and harsh," Celine replies. "Ako, I only believe that we all go to one place pagkatapos ng misyon natin sa mundo. Like, every time we die, we are reborn into someone else's body to complete our mission in life. Tapos pagkatapos noon, either mamamahinga na yung souls natin or mare-reborn but cleansed na siya from the traces of the past," she explained.

I smiled. "Saan mo naman nakuha 'yan? Fictional?" I asked her. She shook her head. "I got it from reading a lot of articles about how people understand death and where they think our souls would go to if ever. Like, we are all free to believe what we want to believe, 'di ba?" Celine explained and then sip on her cup of tea. I just chuckled after throwing a glance at her.

"You know, I sometimes feel like I'm part of the past." I paused for a while as I listen to Celine. "But sometimes, I feel lost. Parang bitin, parang palaging may kulang. Hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit. Do you feel that way too, ate?" she asked me.

I turn around to face her. "It's normal to feel lost. Sooner or later, you'll find the reason to bounce back." I saw her nod then she stands up.

"Thank you for those wonderful words of wisdom but I have to go now."

My eyebrows met at the center. "Where are you going?" I asked.

"Well, Monica invited us on her birthday celebration. Hindi naman ako makatanggi kahit tinatamad ako. You know, birthdays are only celebrated once."

I nodded. Celine will also be celebrating her birthday 3 days from now. I wonder what her plans are. I was about to ask but I saw her walking out of the door. I glanced at where she sat and saw an empty cup. I rolled my eyes before picking it up. "Old habits never die," I whispered to myself as I throw it in the trash can.

Just as I was about to fix my painting materials, I strong wind entered my room through the open windows. It caused the picture frame on my vanity desk to fall. It was a photo that Celine and I took in a photo booth when we went to an amusement park.

Pumunta ako roon para damputin iyon. I remember Lola Patricia and her amusing superstitious beliefs. But it was easy for me to shrug it off because I prefer not to believe in those.

Nakarinig ako ng busina kaya naman agad akong naglakad palapit sa bintana at sumilip. It was Monica's car. I saw Celine opening the gate. Before entering the car, she glanced at my direction and gestured as if she was doing archery.

I acted like I was hit, and I immediately saw her laughing. Just the usual Celine. She waved at me before entering Monica's car.

It was past 8 pm and we were watching a movie when dad has to pause it because his phone was ringing. I saw his confused face and when I peeped at his screen, I saw Celine's name.

"Hello, anak? Napatawag ka?"

Just then, I saw dad's face turn pale. May kakaibang kaba akong naramdaman sa pagbabago ng emosyon sa mukha niya. I saw mom clinging on his arms, trying to find the reason for Celine's call.

"Pa, anong meron?" she asked dad.

Dad, before answering, threw a glance at me. I saw his almost red eyes. Napahilamos siya bago magsalita. "Ma, naaksidente raw sila Celine."

Things seemed to happen so fast. Nagmadali akong kunin ang susi ng sasakyan ni Dad nang utusan niya ako. Pagkatapos no'n ay agad kaming pumunta sa ospital na pinagdalhan nila kay Celine.

"Ano raw nangyari, pa? Bakit nadisgrasya sila Celine? Diyos ko po," mommy said while crying.

Dad remained silent but I know he was trying to control his emotions. When he glanced at me a while ago, I saw a mixture of fear, sadness, and trouble in his eyes. It was the second time I saw those eyes, the first was when her mom, Lola Patricia, died.

It was a long drive. And the more I stayed inside the car, the more impatient I become. At dahil hindi ko mailabas ang frustration ko sa layo ng ospital na pinagdalhan sa kapatid ko, kinikimkim ko. Pero alam ko na kaunting panahon na lang, para akong isang bombang kapag tinanggalan na ng pin ay sasabog.

I was silently praying in my head. I was calling all the saints I know, mentioning angels – hoping that one of those could send my wishes and prayers to God. Right now, I am willing to give up all my other wishes and desires, basta maging ligtas at maayos lang si Celine.

When we reached the hospital, we were eager to get out of the car. It was my mom who spoke to the receptionist and while I was looking around, I saw Monica. Hindi ko na tinawag sila Dad at patakbong lumapit sa kaniya.

"Monica," I called her. Gulat niya akong nilingon at pagkatapos ay humagulgol.

"Ate, I'm sorry. I didn't mean what happened. Sorry, ate Catherine." Napalunok ako at inalo siya. 

"Nasaan si Celine?" tanong ko.

Bago niya ako masagot, lumapit si dad sa akin at niyakap ako. "Puntahan na natin si Celine," sabi niya.

I expected Celine to be in the surgery room or ICU. But as we follow the attendant, I was horrified at the signage I read. I almost fainted but Dad quickly caught me.

"Dad, this is not true..." I whispered to him. He was crying silently. My mom, who was walking ahead of us, was silent. It was as if she already knew about this.

When we entered, my eyes were focused on that one spot. Among the empty tables, there was one that stood out to us. Pagkatapos nilang alisin ang telang nakataklob, doon ko na narinig ang malakas na hagulgol ng mommy ko.

"Celine!!!!!"