I think we were both startled when we heard Direk Dan's voice. It was reckless to have lost ourselves in that moment and I think Mikha knew that as well.
We both turned around para tingnan si Direk Dan. He's as white as a ghost and there was evident distress in his face. I know that face. I've seen it before.
"Direk Dan, what's going on?" I asked.
"Let's walk over there." sabi niya sa 'kin then he led me to the corner.
Mikha looked like she wanted to follow us, pero Direk Dan signalled her to stay. Direk Dan led me to a quieter area dun sa venue. He's trying to hide the emotions in his face pero I can tell that something's wrong.
"Direk, what's going on? You're starting to scare me."
"Aiah, your mom just called."
Parang bigla akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. I'm not even sure what he's about to say next but I can already feel the panic settling in.
"Aiah, your grandmother passed away this evening."
Hindi kami sobrang close ni Lola, but after hearing that, I feel as if the world was suddenly caving in. At that moment, I couldn't even process my feelings, all I know at that time is I need Mikha beside me.
I tried going back dun sa table kung nasaan yung girls, but there was this heavy feeling in my chest that can't seem to escape and I couldn't even move. I turned around and I saw Mikha running and making her way to me.
"Miks, payon--"
Hindi ko pa naiintindihan kung anong nangyayari but I was met by Mikha's arms. When she hugged me, hindi ko na napigilan and that's when I started crying. Mikha held me tighter.
Memories of me and my lola started to flood my mind and knowing that I won't see her again, I just kept crying. I clung on to Mikha for dear life and she's holding me tighter so that I don't fall off.
"Mik... ha... si.. lo..la." I told her in between sniffs.
"Shh. I'm here." Mikha whispered. "I'm here."
I think I just kept crying and I couldn't even move. I can't even stop myself. When I finally collected myself, bumitaw na rin ako kay Mikha.
"I'll just get you water. Wait for me." sabi ni Mikha tapos nagmamadali siyang umalis.
I just sat down by the floor. Tumabi rin sa 'kin si Direk Dan. He placed one of his arms around me as he rubbed my back. Maya maya bumalik na si Mikha na may dalang tubig. She just handed it to me and I drank it.
"Aiah, let's go back dun sa bahay para makuha mo gamit mo. I'll take you to your brother's house. Sasamahan na lang din muna kita dun." sabi ni Direk tapos tumayo na siya at tinulungan akong tumayo. "Your parents are also flying in tonight."
"Ako na maghahatid kay Ate Aiah." sabi ni Mikha.
"Mikha, stay here instead. Ako na ang bahala kay Aiah."
"Pero Direk, mas kailangan ako ni --"
"Mikha, wag matigas ang ulo. I'm leaving the girls on your watch. Take care of them and make sure they train for tomorrow and make sure we stick to our timelines. Ako na bahala kay Aiah. Hahanapin ka ng mga tao dito and people might think too much about why you --"
"I don't fucking care about what they think." sabi ni Mikha.
"Mikhaela, language." sabi ni Direk Dan.
"Andito si Ate Colet. And Direk, hindi ba dapat ikaw yung maiwan dito to --" sagot ni Mikha. Tumataas na yung boses niya and I know she's starting to get pissed.
