Fragments of Us

42: Jema

I woke up with the strange feeling of someone looking at me. I slowly opened my eyes, and I thought God had already taken me back, but then I saw two familiar faces I hadn't seen in a while. It was Tatay, Jessie, and Mafe. Tatay was in his wheelchair while Mafe was sipping her cup of coffee at the edge of the bed.

"Good morning, fam! Mafe, can I take Tatay Jessie outside now so he can do some morning exercise and have some sun?"

Alyssa cheerfully said, and Mafe just nodded.

When they were already outside, I helped myself to somehow sit. None of us seemed to want to break the silence, but we took the courage to ask her.

"Do you love her?"

I asked her, just focusing my eyes on the floor.

"Who?"

I know her eyes didn't leave me.

"You know too well who I'm talking about."

I now lifted my gaze to face her.

"Well, I don't know. All I know is that I don't know how to live in this world without her."

Her words felt like cold water thrown into my face.

"How did you two meet?"

My gaze softened as I felt my heart sink.

"Here."

She briefly replied.

"Why do you ask?"

She said this as she continued to take a sip from her cup.

"Am I no longer allowed to know about my baby sister's life?"

I felt a great intensity anger in her stare.

"You took yourself out of my life, and you dare ask me that question?"

She bitterly smiled, and I know I'm somehow at fault here.

"I'm sorry."

I looked at her, and I saw a couple of tears shining from the side of her eyes.

"For leaving you and Tatay all alone. I don't have much of a choice. Tots broke up with me, I lost my child, and Tatay despised me. I didn't have anyone here, so I left."

Tears started to fall from my eyes too.

"You had me. You always do. I needed you, but I wasn't a reason enough for you to stay."

Mafe's voice had already broken, and the only thing I found to be the most appropriate thing to do was to hug her.

"I'm sorry, Bunso."

I felt Mafe hugging me back, and it was more comforting than I thought it would be.

"Promise me you won't leave me again."

She said this as her arms wrapped even tighter around my neck, and for a moment, I forgot about Ella.