To the Moon and Back °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

Quaker 34

Napapayag ni mama sina tita Karla to stay for the night.

"Chandria, can we talk?"he asked leaning on my room's door.

"Come in."

He looked at the pictures on my wall. He tapped the one where I'm with Yves. We were horse riding back then.  I felt uncomfortable having him sneaking at my pictures.

"DJ, salamat. Hindi ko alam kung ano ng nangyari sa'kin kung hindi ka dumating."

Without moving towards me, he stood there meeting my gaze. He didn't say a word.

"DJ."tawag ko sa kanya.

Without a warning, he came over to hug me.

"Chandria."he called out. "Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko sa sarili ko kung napahamak ka. Hindi ako dapat nagpadala sa takot. Dapat sinamahan kita palagi."

"DJ. What are you saying?"natanong ko nalang. Hindi niya ako pinakawalan, humigpit ang yakap niya sa'kin.

Hindi siya umimik.

"DJ."

"It's nothing. I have to go so you can rest."he kissed ny forehead and stood up. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I woke up to the ray of sunlight slipping through the glass of the window. I hurried downstairs and found out they went home already. Ang late ko palang nagising. It's almost ten!

"Ma'am Kathryn. I'll prepare your breakfast."biglang saad ni Manang Aida.

"Bakit wala rin sina papa?"nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Sinugod sa hospital 'yong kasama niyo po kagabi."

What? I ran back upstairs and headed to my room to fetch my phone. I immediately dialed his number.

"DJ. Where are you?"

"Nasa dati naming bahay. Mama insisted to stay. Your parents are here."he said with a trembling voice. He's crying. I knew it.

I took the shower for two minutes and immediately changed. Diretso kong tinali 'yong buhok ko in a bun while running downstairs. Nakasalubong ko si Manang Aida sa sala.

"Ready na po ang agahan niyo---"

"Thanks. But I need to go."

Halos liparin ko na papunta sa kanila. Patakbo akong pumasok ng mansion nila. There in the little garden, nakita kong yakap si DJ ni Sabrina. He's sobbing hard, I can tell. His shoulders are shaking. Sa unahan ng garden, namataan ko si Kuya Carmel na humahagulhol habang yakap ang mama nila na nasa wheel chair. Inaalo naman ni mama si papa na umiiyak din. No. She can't be gone already! Walang ano-ano'y tumulo narin ang mga luha sa mata ko. Parang tinutusok yong puso ko sa nakikita ko. Nanlambot ang mga tuhod ko. I can't move. Nobody sees me. They're all so submerged of the pain of losing her.

I stood there unmoved for long minutes until mama came over and hugged me.

"She can't be gone ma."nasabi ko nalang.

---

Hindi ko pa nakakausap si DJ dahil hindi siya nilulubayan ni Sabrina. It's been three days since she passed away.

Sa tuwing pumupunta ako sa kanila every night, si Kuya Carmel lang 'yong nakakausap ko.

Dinudurog ang puso ko habang pinapanood siya sa malayo. He's so broken. I want to comfort him but I don't have the chance even until the burial arrives.

Dalawang araw matapos ang libing ay hindi parin siya pumasok sa klase. I felt the urge to text him. While our instructor discusses in front, I slowly take my phone and start typing.