All about Joseph

Calm

Unknown numbers are bad sign in my cellphone. And I have this bad feeling that it is somehow related to Lamarte which is really bad. Did I say that it was already bad? I should stop with the bad thingy. Where was I again? Yeah. Why is dad taking so long? I need to go to Rebecca. And I'm getting worried about this stuff. Where's dad?

Dad was panting when he pat my back.

"Are you okay, dad? Why are you panting and why are you all sweat?"

"Your mom and I had an argue but instead of not talking back this time I told her that you needed me and we need some catching up. Unfortunately for me she spanked me in the face in front of Geoff and Richard. They give the look with 'ooohhh-ing' sound after you know that you've been defeated in the fight and before she could spanked me more I just ran outside. I don't know what happen after but I guess Claude could give me some update later."

"That's bad dad but I'm glad you're coming with me on this. I have feeling that mom is screaming,'Those boys are really pain in the neck!'" We both laughed at that but after some minutes became serious.

The journey back home was a long ride, even though we rode with Richard's big bike. I don't know how to put it but the weather seems cooperating with our feeling right now. It's really cloudy and dark this time of day even though it's just noon. We passed by the walled city of Intramuros and it seemed gory with the dark background but I still adorned it's beauty and how it survived thousands of years. Dad's the driver because I can't drive a bike yet I mean a motorcycle. I bet I would look cool if I did! LOL.

Darren opened the door for us when we got there. You could see in his face that he was devastated of what happened.

"Oh, you're already here." Darren greeted.

"I'm sorry for not telling but we're already here right?" Dad took the hand of Darren and shook it.

"It's been a while Darren, how are you?" dad said. Darren was just silent and he couldn't look at my father's eyes even mine.

"How rude of me, please, come in..." Darren said.

Their house now was dark, all the curtains were drawn. This is too much, it is not like this before. Darren reckoned us to sit and we did. I couldn't help but already asked, "Where's Rebecca? Could I see her? I'm so worried.." He cut off my sentence, "She's upstairs." I looked at my dad, he gave me worried looked and drank from the glass of juice that he was given. Darren was about to leave when we got in but he was too generous to give us some drinks before he leave. So when I decide to go upstairs I left dad alone in the living room.

The whole place was quiet and I'm sure the whole family was here, her brothers and sister. How many days has it been? No, how many hours I mean. I knocked on Rebecca's door. I tried hearing what was going inside but it was quiet then the door opened instantly that I was caught in act. It was written all over her face that she was surprised to see me. After a second or two she hugged me so tight and started to cry. I hugged her back and caressed her hair. My poor Rebecca...

"Dear..I'm so sorry for what had happened." She just nod and continued crying. I directed her to sit down on her bed without breaking our position. I missed her scent but I'm sad that I haven't met Andrea in person. How could this happen so fast?

"Can you tell me the details, dear? I'm so worried that you didn't reply. I decided to see you as soon as possible and I have learned that your mother already passed away this morning. Why didn't you tell me that her condition was getting worse?" She was quiet with her tears.

"I'm sorry I hope I could help you now but I don't know what to do." She just hugged me tighter and after a few seconds I heard her say, "I didn't know Joseph. It's too sudden, all of it."

"Oh, I'm sorry..." I don't know if I could comfort her any longer because my heart started to break too.

"Don't worry, she would be in the good hands above." She nodded.

"Where is she?"

"She's still in the hospital."

"That's why Darren have to go." I cupped her face and tried to remove the tears form her eyes but it just kept on pouring.

"I'm sorry...wait, let us give her some prayers to ease the pain somehow, are you okay with that?" She just nodded again and we said some prayers to the soul of Andrea and also prayed the rosary.

After some time of comforting we decided to go downstairs to join my father. I was surprised that he was not there. Where could he be? Rebecca just sat on the sofa and stared out of nowhere. Where's dad? I texted him right away, after a few minutes he replied:

S: I'm going back to the hotel, mom said that it was urgent.

J: Okay, you take care but what is it about?

S: I don't know Jo when ur mom tell me things like this there's something coming up.

J: I'll just call her to check things out.

S: Thanks, How's Rebecca?

J: She staring into blankness right now but I guess our efforts paid off, she's a bit okay..I guess.

S: Tell her my regards, call ur mother.

I dialed mom's number, she answered,

"Mom, what happened? Why does that dad needs to be there?"

"Your brother's gone."

"What! Why didn't you tell dad about it? Where is he?"

"I don't know Jo, I'm worried, he could be anywhere. A Moment ago he was with us, he asked me if he could go outside to have some desserts and I said no that he could order some food up here but he was persistent and he really wanted to go out."

"And you let him?"

"Yes, I did, only if Geoff would be coming with him."

"Please give the phone to Geoff, I want to talk about it with him."

"It's not his fault Jo, Claude was so stubborn he managed to get rid of Geoffrey. Geoff was doing his job looking after him, he has his ways but suddenly Claude was out of his sight. I have a bad feeling that Lamarte knew that we are here and he got Claude."

"But how could he know that? And why are you so calm?"

"I'm not calm. I'm thinking of the circumstances. Wait, someone texted me. I need to see this."

"WHY ARE YOU ACTING SO CALM MOM?" I shouted.

"Jo, it's Lamarte, he texted me, he wanted to see me if not he would kill Claude!"

"Oh no, THIS IS REALLY BAD."

"He said that don't bring anyone even the police or you Jo, I'm on my own."

"No, mom! You're not doing this stupid stuff!"

"Yes, I am, your brother needs me, tell your dad that I love him okay?"

"No...NO MOM!" SHIT SHE HUNG UP.

"Rebecca, I need to go right now, Claude's in danger. I'm sorry that I need to leave you like this."

"I'm coming with you."

"What? Why? you need some rest."

"I know, but you need me. I'm coming with you."

F}Q