Faith

Chapter 19

I saw Mico sitting at the Emergency Room. His left wrist has gauze and he was looking at the floor. Princess was sitting on his right while holding his right hand. Her eyes were swollen.

"What happened?" I asked as I approach them.

Mico did not bother to look. Princess stood up, hugged me tight then cried. I gently patted her back, "What happened?" I asked again.

Princess answered between sobbing, "He cut his wrist."

"What!?" I angrily turned to Mico who was still looking at the floor.

"And he's not speaking; not even looking at us," Princess continued.

I sighed, "Where's tito and tita?"

"They're talking to a Psychiatrist."

I nodded. Mico really need some serious medication.

"I hate to see him like this, kuya."

"Same here. But he was shock with Natalia's death. All we have to do is to be at his side. That's the very least we can do for him... Wait," Princess stepped backwards as I walk closer to Mico. I knelt with one knee then tried to look at his eyes. "Mico," I placed my hand over his shoulder.

He did not look. He was still motionless.

I sighed, "Buddy, we are just here, all right? We won't leave you. Go on with your life, please. Natalia won't be happy to see you like this. We still need you, buddy."

His tears started to fall though he remained motionless.

I hugged him, "We hate to see you like that. Move on, buddy. God has a reason for every thing."

Princess hugged me and Mico, "Your agony is my agony, too, Kuya Mico. I'm still here, your twin, your princess, remember?"

Then slowly, Mico stood up, poker faced, "Let's go home. I don't want to be here again..."

He started to walk.

"Mr. Montereal, you're still not allowed to go home," a nurse interrupted.

Mico looked at the nurse, "I want to go home."

"But Dra. Montereal said..."

Mico get his wallet from his pocket then handed a money to the nurse.

"I'll pay for my own hospital bill. I don't want to stay here."

We followed Mico as he went out.

"Kuya, you're wrist is bleeding!"

Our eyes landed on Mico's wrist, "It's just a blood... Call Manong Udi."

"No, we'll go back to the Emergency Room," I said before Princess could answer.

Mico looked at us angrily, "Will you stop telling me what to do? I'm getting sick of all of you!"

"Mico!" Princess angrily shouted his name. She calls Mico without 'kuya' when she is really angry.

Mico took his cellphone from his pocket to call their driver. 

I and Princess remained motionless, both watching Mico as he wait for the car.

When the car arrived, Mico quickly rode but Princess did not follow him.

"I'll go home with you, Kuya XZ," Princess said.

I looked at her then at Mico. Mico was impatiently waiting for Princess.

"Mico's waiting for you."

Princess raised an eyebrow, "So? He just said he's getting sick of us so be it! He can have all the "alone time" he want!"

"Just understand him. He's not on his usual self. But all right, go home with me."

"You tell him," Princess said and looked away from Mico.

I walked towards the car, right in front where Mico's sitting, "Princess' going home with me."

Mico's bored face turned into a puzzled one, "Why?"

I shrugged my shoulders then closed the car's door. The driver rolled the window down, "Have a rest as soon as you arrive home, a'right? I'll visit you later."

He nodded.

I pointed a finger at him, "And don't do something stupid again."

"Yes."

I patted the car's door. "Have a safe trip. Manong Udi," I nodded at Manong Udi who nodded back.

"Let's go?" Princess said while I was watching the car leave.

I looked at her, "Tell tito and tita first."

"I'll just call them," she held my hand. "Let's go!"

"Heard Ate Cherrie left. You sent her to the airport?" Princess asked while we were on our way home.

I almost stepped on the break but managed to hide my emotion. It has been 4 days since Cherrie left and I heard nothing from her. No calls, no text messages, no anything. I have been too preoccupied with my work, school, and Mico that I almost forgot her.

"No, she didn't even tell me a word. I just found out from Tita Thalia and Tito Fernando that she left," I said with even voice.

Princess raised an eyebrow, "What!? She is your girlfriend but left without saying a word? That's unbelievable!"

"Maybe she's as shock as Mico with Natalia's death that she didn't thought of telling me."

"Still, you are her boyfriend. And besides, she should've known that you're there for her."

I looked at her then back to the road, "Still, you are Mico's twin sister."

She groaned, "Reverse psychology."

"Told you, she might be as shock as Mico."

"Okay, fine," she looked outside the window.

My mind drifted to Cherrie, wondering why she hasn't called yet. Tito Fernando and Tita Thalia left Philippines the day before so there is no way for me to know how is she. My only choice is to send her an e-mail.

After sending Princess to their home and upon reaching my room, I immediately opened my laptop to send Cherrie an e-mail.

Days passed and I continued sending Cherrie e-mails, telling her how much I miss her and how much she makes me feel worried. But after a few months, Cherrie have not responded. Not even once.

Mico, on the other hand, remained a jerk. Partying all night, studying at day. Unlike our first year wherein he landed to the Dean's list, he did not make it in our second year. His grades were fine... but failing. We did everything. Talked to him. Tito Leon even aimed a gun at him but it did not affect him. Not at all.

I, on the other hand, continued with my life despite of the emptiness that I am feeling because of Cherrie.