Why Not Me? (Bravo Series 2)

Chapter 9

Alora Ciella POV

"I miss you, AC."

"Did you not miss, me hmm?"

"Are you mad at me? I am missing you na."

"I am happy that you are happy, my Achi."

"I will always be here when you need me, hmm? I love you, my achi."

"ATE!" I cried while panting so hard and trying to catch my breathe.

I looked immediately at the wall clock in my room, Its 11:30 in the evening. I immediately took my hoodie and went to the garage.

When I was a kid I believed that every time the clock turns 12:00 midnight, there are ghosts and monsters that will scare me. However, I was wrong; I realized that the terrifying things during midnights are the forbidding realizations and the chaos of adulthood. The midnight ghost worries got replaced by the melancholy certainties of middle age.

Honestly, I used to be frightened but at this moment, it turns into my comfort. I realized so many things that hit me hard. The desire to hold onto myself together and have everything figured out on my own. When in reality, I am still that child who needs guidance, time, as well as affection in the world.

It turns out to be my routine, when the clock strikes 12 midnight; I continually meet myself and my dwelling point of view of realizations.

I always find myself in this familiar place, the cemetery. It was as though my existence had been tied to this mausoleum, to this tomb, to the scent of the candles that wafted through the air.

In loving memory of

Amora Stephanie S. Vandeleur

199X - 202X

"Hi, ate. Did you miss your Achi? I'm sorry kung ngayon lang ako ulit dumalaw. I mean I am always here for punishment pero ngayon lang ako dumalaw dahil gusto ko dahil namiss kita." I said as if she can have a conversation with me.

"Ang dami kong gusto ikwento sa iyo, ate. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung saan ako magsisimula." natatawa kong sabi.

"I am a third year Architecture student na, ate! At sa dream university mo pa." pagyayabang ko sa kaniya.

"Sabi ko naman sayo hindi ba, if ever you didn't make it I will be the one to achieve your dreams in life. Kaunti na lang ate I will be an Architect na just like what you have always dreaming of when you are still alive." I happily announced while wiping her beautiful picture in her grave.

She's so beautiful. She's an angel, no doubt.

After the day I lost her I always questioned the Creator, Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do the best people get to die first?

But, I never had my answer kaya since the day I lost her, I stopped believing on Him.

"My life would be better if you are still here with me, ate. You know how much I wanted to be with you na pero I can't since I promise you na I will live for you."

Every day, I sat here, hoping that maybe, just maybe, I'd see a familiar face, a glimpse of the one who never wanted to leave me behind. I always longed for her return, hoping that some day I will be able to visit the heaven above just hug her or tell her story about how my day went.

But the world moved on without me. Time ticked away, but I still stayed rooted in this place. And the ache, the pain, the sorrow, it never faded. It was as fresh as it was on that fateful day when she decided to take a rest forever.