Under the Shades of Sky

Chapter 24

"Are you done, Alexa?" kalmadong tanong ni Tito Marcus.

Alexa didn't respond but just cried. Tito Marcus and Tita Alvina hugged her. May ibinulong sila kay Alexa. We just all stood there watching them. Walang naglakas loob na magsalita.

"Celestine, anak." pagkuha ni Mama ng atensyon ko.

I looked at her and she gently held my hand. "Bakit mo sinigawan si Alexandra?" she asked with understanding visible in her eyes.

Tears started to fall again as I continuously shook my head. "I didn't mean it, Mama.... I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to shout at her."

Mama wiped my tears. "Anak, I know you didn't mean it. Hindi ganon ang pagkakakilala ko sayo."

"I was ruled by my emotions, Mama. I didn't control it." sabi ko.

"Celestine, alam mo na ang gagawin mo. Bukas kakausapin ko kayong tatlo ng masinsinan. You're grown up, anak. Hindi na kayo katulad ng dati." sabi niya sa akin ulit.

I just nodded. I made a mistake and I should apologize. I should be more sensitive with the situation. I should know that everyone is mourning in different ways.

Kasunod non ay wala na kaming kibo nina Alexandra at Ysabelle. Hanggang pakiramdaman lang kami hanggang sa dumating si Gabrienne at ang parents niya. Gab wears a simple loose white knee length dress and white flat shoes that perfectly match her medium tan skin and a sling bag with gold chains.She smiled weakly at us, eyes reflecting tiredness, melancholy and emptiness.

"Kamusta na kayo?" mahinhing tanong niya.

I smiled a little at her, Alexa just avoided her gaze and Ysabelle is the only one who responded. "We're okay" she said.

Gab sat at my side while her parents were talking with Daddy and Mama. Hinilig niya ang ulo sa akin at kinuha ang kamay ko para paglaruan iyon. She was nervous based on her actions.

"Gab, something happened?" I asked.

"Wala" tanging sagot nya.

"Eh bakit ganyan ka?" tanong ko ulit.

"I am okay, Deia." sagot nya ulit.

Ilang minuto kaming naghintay kina Mommy Celestia. Isa pang pinoproblema ko, hindi ko pa sya nakakausap. I tried to talk with Alexa but she kept on ignoring me. Unang dumating ang committal service na magdadala ng kabaong. Ilang minuto lang ay ang angkan ng mga Fabian at Inavarez naman ang dumating. We stayed for a little while to have a glance, though we will still have one last glance later before the burial.

Mommy's eyes were puffy and Tito Aldrin kept on comforting her. There's love in their eyes as they look at each other, bagay na minsan ko lang makita sa mata ni Mommy tuwing tinitingnan nya si Daddy.

Hanggang sa pinapunta na kami sa kotse. I was going with Daddy and Mama, Gab was with her parents, Ysa and Alexa were with Tita Alvina and Tito Marcus.

Kami pa lang nina Mama ang nakasakay sa kotse dahil naiwan ang mga lalaki sa bahay. Nakalimutan ko din magdala ng panyo kaya nagpaalam muna ako kay Mama na babalik ako sa loob. Mabuti na lang at pinayagan niya ako.

Tumakbo ako papuntang taas at kumuha ng panyo. Pagbaba ko, walang tao sa sala kundi ang mga nagtatrabaho sa punerarya at nagliligpit. Ang kabaong ay nasa may pinto na. Lalabas na sana ako ng may narinig akong nag uusap sa may dining. Sinilip ko muna iyon, ang mga lalaki ng tatlong angkan. Naguusap sila sa kung anong bagay.

"We don't need Arianna's inheritance." rinig kong mariing saad ni Daddy.

"What do you mean you don't? You're a Romero. Imposibleng hindian mo ang mga kayamanan." sarkastikong saad ng isang lalaki na ang palagay ko ay si Tito Aldrin.