Dear Mathilda

Prologue

1991, March 10
3:30 in the afternoon

It was a rainy and gloomy afternoon and I was still in my pajamas. Chilling and relaxing while watching my favorite show in the afternoons. I'm in the city right now, visiting Natalia's friend –Mathilda. I was not a friend of hers but since she's my twin sibling's best friend, I got to accept the fact that I would hangout with her together with Natalia even if it's against my will. I was about to get a glass of water when the tv suddenly played the breaking news.

"BREAKING NEWS! A tragic car crash near Flourish Bakery claims 1 life of a seventeen-year-old girl, while 3 were injured. In the said car crash, we recognized the owner of the car and the passengers. Seventeen-year-old, Mathilda Spruce is reportedly dead upon investigating. Another seventeen-year-old girl, named Natalia Rodriguez is reportedly in a critical condition and it is seen that these two young girls were hugging each other. People and investigators said that Mathilda was protecting Natalia. While Mr. and Mrs. Spruce was reportedly to have a minor injuries that needs rapid treatment. As of for now, the said injured people were rushed to the emergency and operating room. We are waiting for a relative to come and visit them. That's all for now."

My jaw dropped as I heard the news. The glass I was holding slipped my hand making a shattering noise. M-Mathilda? d-dead? Natalia, unconscious? This can't be real. The breaking noise of the glass woke up my mom.

Luke! I was startled as my mom exclaimed.
What's this ruckus all about?  This isn't our house! She exclaimed. And I wasn't even paying attention to her. How can I break this news to my mom? Auntie Luisa is in an accident. I don't know.

But for real, I was losing my mind
at the moment. I wasn't be able to process what I just heard from the news minutes ago. I was panicking and even can't believe in the situation I am in.

Luke? Are you even listening? I snap back when mom asked me. I just don't know what to answer. My mind goes blank as I recall what the news said. Even in the verge of death, Mathilda still prioritizes the life of my sister.

Luke! Why are you trembling? Mom added. I can see my hands trembles in fear for not telling mom.

Mom. E-ER. That's all I can say.
What? mom asked. I gathered myself up.
Mom, let's go to the ER. A-Auntie L-Luisa is in an accident. I said while holding back my tears as I clenched my fists. Mom immediately believed me and we rushed to the hospital.

1991, March 10
2:30 in the afternoon

Luke. Aren't you going to join us? Aunt Luisa asked me.
No, Auntie. I was waiting for my favorite show to be aired today. I replied.
Oh, I see. Then we'll get going. She replied instantly. I watched as the four of them slowly walk towards the door. My heart just clenches and has a heavy feeling about their trip. I decided to calm down myself and it was just not a good feeling as if something's going to happen. And boom, I was right. Mom and I are on our way to the hospital but I just don't feel to see them, I just feel to cry and cry and cry until I will forgot what happened today. I was crying my eyes out and did not even visit the dead body of Mathilda.

I was inside the hospital and I bawled out my eyes. Cry. Cry. Cry. That's all I can do. I don't know what I'm suppose to do. I regretted everything. Just like how I was ignoring Mathilda's existence for a decade . And now I am here, still can't believe what had happened. Why can the God so unfair? Why can't He save them all even if they are in a critical condition. I don't even have the courage to see her dead and cold body. By just thinking and hearing she's dead, I can't even believe about it, how much more if I really see her dead face? All I can do is to cry until these wounds heal out? But how can I move on when she keeps on hunting me? I truly regretted everything, for not caring about her. Who would have known this would be her last? Of course I don't.

As days passed, Auntie, Uncle and even Natalia were still at the hospital. My heart shattered when I knew Natalia was in a deep coma. I can't process the whole thing. It felt like I was getting punished by the heavenly father. All I could do is to wrap my entire body with my blanket by hugging the portrait of me, Natalia and Mathilda.