The Boss' Nerd

The Funeral

The wake went peacefully the whole night. The nuns were able to explain to the children that they will bid goodbye to Baste tomorrow. They all know what death means, its just that this is the first time that they will burying a friend, so the adults wanted to make sure that the children are ready especially Tom and Cole his best buddies. The whole day, they were already checking the emotions of the two and they were amazed that both of them are quiet but not crying nor whimpering. The funeral went quietly and peaceful despite the children all cried when they saw that the coffin was placed inside the tomb.  They heard some children protested kasi paano makakahinga si Baste kung isasara, pa nagutom, paano siya makakalabas at kung ano-ano pang mga out of his world na tanong...  Maine, Tom and Cole remained silent all throughout the process.  They were just nod and smile to each other.  The guys, Paolo, Kris, Nick and even Richard, were there to see the funeral.  They all remain silent and even were nodding to each other, as if a secret has been carefully passed to each other! 

Naiwan sina Maine, Cole at Tom sa harap ng puntod ni Baste.  Nauna sa sasakyan ang lahat ngunit kita pa rin nila ang tatlo. They saw that the three cried and dried their tears, then did a group hug and did a pinky swear up in the air, as if a promise has been made.  They feel somehow relieved when they saw that the three has small smile on their faces despite the undried tears on their faces.  They felt that the three has accepted and let go of Baste for real. 

Upon reaching everyone, Maine and the two kids hug everyone around them, even Richard.  Richard, on the other hand, even though surprised on what the three did, felt as if a heavy weight on his heart was lifted.  He somehow felt an inner peace, yung pakiramdam na magaan na hindi niya na naramdaman mula ng mamatay ang pinakamamahal na ina!

The nuns and the gang decided to go back to the orphanage and help cleaned up.  Medyo maalikabok dahil three days din Hindi nalinisan dahil sa nangyari. 

"Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, sa mga tulong ninyo lalo na sa pagbabantay sa mga bata!" Sabi ni Mother Superior sa limang na kabataan. 

"Wala pong anuman yun, kung may kailangan po kayo wag po kayong mahihiyang magsabi, tutulong po ako sa abot mg aking makakaya!" Kris said.
"Ummm, ako rin po, magsabi lang po kayo!" Richard said, though reluctant, he is sincere of what he said.

Nico, Maine and Paolo is a constant here in the orphanage just smile for the extended help. 

"Iha, pasensiya na kung ngayon ko lang sasabihin sa iyo, pero kailangan mo rin malaman.  Cole is about to do an intensive chemotherapy in preparation for his stem cell transplant." Mother Superior said.
"I will discuss it po to his doctor, basta pa wag nyo problemahin yung gastos.  Aayusin ko po schedule ng mga sessions ni Cole." Maine said, holding on to Richard's hand tightly.  Hindi niya napansin na si Richard pala ang katabi niya! Richard felt something is wrong the way Maine hold his hand tightly.  Nagulat pa nga siya ng biglang hawakan ni Maine ang kamay niya! Pero Hindi niya maintindihan at kung bakit gustong-gusto niya ang pakiramdam at Hindi pa napigilan ang sarili na pisilin pabalik ang malambot na kamay mg dalaga.  Hindi naman ito nakaligtas sa mapanuring mga mata ni Kris at Paolo, ngunit hindi  na lang kumibo, hindi naayon sa sitwasyon.

"Tutulong po kami...!" Paolo and Nico said at the same time.  Maine was stunned to see that Paolo was placed in front of her!

"Kaninong kamay ang --?" She said inwardly and face to her side and saw that it was Richard whom she is hand holding! Sa sobrang gulat ng dalaga, nahila niya ang kamay at pulang-pula lumingon Kay Mother Superior.