Enchanted

[Tricia x OC] Beside You

August 2012

"Ralph..." Tricia sounded strained over the phone.

"Trish, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Raphael sensed that something was not right.

"Papa...Papa..." Tricia repeated, unable to complete her sentence.

"Where are you? I'm coming over right now." Raphael knew that Tricia needed him.

"Ralph..." Tricia called out weakly to Raphael.

"It's okay Trish, I'm here..." Raphael pulled Tricia into a hug and assured her. 

"Papa...Papa's plane...he's missing...and..." Tricia spluttered in between her sobs. 

"Shhh, it's okay. I know...I'm going to be here with you..." Raphael had caught up with the news on the way here. 

"Ralph, thank God you're here...Can I get you to stay with Patty? Ate Gaile has Jill and I have to be with Mama..." Aika was relieved that Raphael was here. 

"Definitely. If you and Tita Leni need any help, let me know." Raphael gave Aika a little hug. 

"Thanks Ralph..." Aika gave Raphael a weak smile. She was trying her best. 

"Have some water, Trish...You haven't eaten or drunk anything for whole day." Ralph handed Tricia a bottle of water. 

"I'm not hungry or thirsty..." Tricia shook her head. 

"Just a little bit...Please, Trish?" Ralph coaxed Tricia, who gave in and took a few sips. 

"Did Ate say anything? Papa is going to be fine right? He'll come back, won't he?" Tricia looked at Ralph with bloodshot eyes. They were red from crying.

"Not yet...but we both know Tito Jesse is a man of his word...He said he was coming back, and he will." Ralph wiped a stray tear from Tricia's cheek and sat down next to her on the floor. 

"Are you going to stay with me?" Tricia held onto Raphael's arm. 

"I won't go anywhere. I'll be right here next to you." Raphael held Tricia's held in his and clasped their fingers. 

"We've found Sir Jesse's body..." The captain of the search rescue team broke the news. Aika held onto Jill as the 12 year-old's legs gave way. 

"Trish!" Raphael reached out to catch Tricia, who was standing next to her Mama.

"Papa's not coming back...You lied, Ralph. You said he would..." Tricia knew it wasn't Raphael's fault but her brain wasn't processing the news properly. 

"I'm sorry Trish..." Ralph gently sat down with Tricia on the floor as she broke down. The girls had been holding onto the glimmer of hope that their Papa would be alive. And now that hope was dashed. 

"I'll stay here with Trish and Jill. You and Tita focus on what you need to do. Take some time if you need to. Don't push yourself too hard." Raphael comforted Aika. Atty Leni and Aika were so occupied that they didn't have time to process their emotions. 

"Everything's just a mess right now but I can't break down as well. Mama needs me. And so do Patty and Jill..." Aika let out a tiny sigh. She was now the pillar of strength in the family. 

"You're doing well, Aika. Tito Jesse would be so proud of you." Raphael hugged Aika. 

"Thanks, I really needed that. I'll leave Patty and Jill in your hands..." Aika was grateful that her sister's best friend was here.