Ci Vediamo

08

C H A P T E R 8

MATT HAD SPENT the night at the office, his heart heavy with hurt over his recent fight with Cavi. As he woke up early the next morning, his face etched with sadness, his phone rang. It was Stacy calling, and her voice sounded worried.

"Kuya Matt. Magkasama ba kayo ni kuya? I've been trying to reach him all night, but he's not answering my calls."

Matt let out a heavy sigh. "Actually, we had a fight last night. We both needed some space to think."

Stacy's voice turned grave. "Kuya, I don't know what's going on between you two, but please don't leave him now. He needs you."

Matt was confused. "What do you mean?"

Stacy hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "You don't know yet?"

"Know what?"

"Mommy's gone," she answered, her voice cracking.

Matt was stunned. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. A sudden rush of concern for Cavi came over him. He knew how much Cavi loved his mother, and the thought of him going through such a devastating loss was too much to bear.

He quickly said goodbye to Stacy and hailed a taxi to go back to their place. When he arrived, the atmosphere was solemn and quiet. He found Cavi sitting in the corner, his arms wrapped around his legs, his eyes pale and swollen from crying all night.

Without hesitation, he hurried over to him, and hug him tightly

"Cav... why didn't you tell me?" Matt's voice was filled with pain and regret.

Cavi's body shook as he continued to cry, his heart aching with loss. Matt's hand rubbed circles on his back, a soothing gesture amidst the turmoil. "It's alright, it's alright, I'm here now. Everything will be fine."

He knew firsthand how it felt to lose a mother.

"It hurts so bad.. I c-" Cavi's words were choked with sorrow.

"Shh, it's alright. I'm here, and I won't leave. I promise," Matt whispered, holding Cavi tightly and his hand gently rubbing Cavi's back, trying to provide some comfort and stability in the midst of such sadness.

LATER THAT MORNING, Cavi sat calmly on the balcony couch, gazing into the distance with a blank look on his face. Matt approached him and offered the food he had cooked, but Cavi remained lost in his thoughts and didn't even glance at Matt.

"Cav," Matt called out his name, but he received no response. "Cav."

"Hayaan mo muna ko, please." He said without looking at Matt

Then Matt left but soon returned with his guitar and sat next to him.

"Naaalala mo pa ba nung hinanap ako ni mama sayo because she couldn't find me? It was when I ran away in the middle of the night. Even though you were in your hometown, far away from where I lived, you still went out of your way to track me down. And guess what? You found me chilling at the beach. I wasn't surprised though, 'cause we both dig that peaceful beach vibe. We just sat there, soaking up the cool breeze and the sound of the waves crashing. And I'll never forget how you sang me a song. It was such a comforting moment."

With that, Matt softly strums his guitar.

Oh my love ~

You're such a fragile thing I know

And with winter comes the ice, the snow

But I'm here to hold

And oh my love ~

Don't worry about the cold just yet

The trees haven't started to shed

Just feel the summer sun

As it warms our bed

Matt gazed at Cavi and noticed tears welling up in his eyes, slowly streaming down his cheeks.

I'm lying

And I'm lying

When I say I'm not

Afraid..

But I'm trying

To shelter you

From pain

And oh my love ~

The seasons come and they go

But I hope you know

That I, I won't.

(Song title : oh my love by sleepaway camp)

As Matt finishes singing, he gently sets the guitar aside and opens his arms, inviting Cavi to embrace him. They hug tightly, and Cavi continues to cry.

"Just let it all out until it doesn't hurt anymore," Matt whispered, holding him tightly.