When the Sun hides

Twenty eight

It was exactly 10 am when he heard knocks on the door. His head turned and he saw the nurse gently slid it open. Standing immediately, he walked towards the doorway.

"Sir, nandito po ang mga kaibigan ni Ms. Rodriguez." The nurse said and stepped aside, revealing the three women who looked so worried. Ngumiti siya pero bakas din sa itsura niya ang lungkot, pagaalala, puyat, at pagod.

"Good morning. I'm Vincent Sy, kaibigan ni Cat." He said, trying to smile at them and offered his hand.

"My name is Lily, ako yung tumawag kanina." Pakilala ng isang babae na mahaba ang buhok at naka dark blue polo tucked inside her black trousers.

"Ana" introduced also by a girl with short hair and wearing a brown checkered blazer and jeans.

"Good morning, I'm Rose." Said by woman wearing a black long dress and white coat. He gave them a smile, tired smile.

"Nasaan si Cat?" Finally asked by Lily, na kanina pa nagaalala at gustong makita ang kaibigan.

"She's still unconscious." Vincent voice dropped as he let them in. The three women hurried to the bedside where their friend lay covered in blanket, her face pale and fragile.

"Cat." They called in unison, debating to touch her arm but decided not to do so.

"Ano'ng nangyari? Bakit may sunog?" Ana asked and turned briefly to him. Her voice was filled with shock and confusion.

"Hindi ko rin alam." Vincent replied, shaking his head while keeping his eyes at Cat. "Nagulat nalang ako noong sinabi niya na may sunod."

"Kelan nangyari 'to?" Rose questioned also, her bows knitted in confusion.

"Kaninang madaling araw." He answered softly. He played with his own fingers while trying to narrate what happened. "Around 2am, sinubukan ko lang na tawagan siya kasi hindi ako makatulog. I was not really expecting na sasagot siya kasi alam ko na pagod din siya. B-but I was surprised when she answered my call. Sabi niya may sunog, nasusunog daw ang bahay niya. Hindi ko pa maintindihan noong una pero bigla nalang siyang sumigaw then our call was cut." He paused. Halos manginig na siya habang inaalala ang mga pangyayari. "Nagmadali ako na puntahan siya pero noong dumating ako, ang laki na ng apoy. Kahit yung mga bumbero nahirapan makapasok."

Nang tumingin siya sa mga kaibigan ni Cat, they were also looking at him before their eyes shifted to their unconscious friend.

"Oh...our Catarina." Lily said, giving on the urge to caress her hair. "Siguradong takot na takot siya. Magisa lang siya sa bahay."

"Pero thank you, Vincent. You checked on her. I can't imagine her fear habang natataranta kung sino ang hihingan niya ng tulong. We always say to her na nandito lang kami palagi, pero knowing her, ayaw niya maging burden sa iba. Thank you for saving her." Rose also added. Ayaw sana sumangayon ni Vincent dahil wala naman siya halos ginawa. He was late.

"May contact ka ba sa parents niya? Siguro dapat din nila malaman ang nangyari." Lily asked again but he shook his head.

"Tayo rin wala. Deactivated din ang Facebook ni Cat." Sagot ni Ana. Though they've been friends for almost 5 years, hindi nila kilala ang parents ni Cat. She never once mentioned them, kahit na sinong relatives.