(Un)Match Made in Heaven © (Wattys 2015)

Chapter 2: Accidental Set-Up

April 2014

Catherine pulled up on the designated parking lot where a few cars were already parked. They're here, Kaylie thought. The bright sun welcomed her as she stepped out of the car with flowers on one arm. It was a humid day and the sun's warmth was unbearable.

Catherine followed along and caught up with Kaylie, immediately wrapping her right arm across her shoulder. "Are you okay," she asked.

"Yes ma'am, I'm fine," Kaylie lied as she tried her best to smile as bright as the sun.

Familiar surroundings greeted them beyond the tall iron double gates. The grass emitted a stench that burned Kaylie's nose. It reminded her of matted blood mixed with mud. Everywhere they looked there were marble angels and crosses of different shapes and sizes, tombstones, flowers that were either fresh or wilted and few candles half-burned. As soon as they turned the curved pathway, Kaylie saw the Cruz family waving their hands as they spotted them. It looks like everyone is here, Kaylie observed.

Mrs. Cruz was the first to reach her. She hugged Kaylie ever so tightly. "It's always great to see you Kaylie," she greeted as she kissed her on both cheeks. Her face was amiable as she always remembered. "But you look thin and pale." She placed her soft hands on Kaylie's face.

"See, I told you," Catherine said.

"Hi Catherine, I'm glad you came too," Mrs. Cruz said.

"Hi Mrs. Cruz, of course, it's nice to see you all again," Catherine replied.

Mrs. Cruz led them where the gazebo stood. It was a wide area; there were tomb stones that marked the three graves. After everyone said their pleasantries, Kaylie laid her flowers beside Andre's grave. She touched the tomb slightly and whispered, "Hello."

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April 1, 2010 (Four years ago)

Kaylie and her cousins just finished watching Clash of the Titans. Watching movies is their little tradition to celebrate the end of each school year. She was excited in front of her laptop, typing away her thoughts and feelings about the movie. Catherine was staying for a sleepover and watching a teleserye. 

"Cat, lower the volume...I can't concentrate," she said.

Catherine reached for the TV remote and did as was told. She tried to look over at Kaylie's laptop. "Tsk, tsk, tsk...you're wasting your time there if you're not going to get it published anyway."

"Be quiet." Kaylie looked over her cellphone and sighed.

"Andre hasn't called yet," Catherine asked. Andre Cruz is Kaylie's boyfriend of three years. They started dating as soon as Kaylie turned eighteen, the age her parents set to allow her to date. They met at a High School soirée. He's from an all-boys school while she's from an all-girls school.

"No text even. Maybe he's still having fun." She was being sarcastic, of course, as she continued typing on her laptop. After thirty minutes, Kaylie closed her laptop and looked at her wall clock. It's 7:00 PM.

Mrs. Sanchez knocked on the door to tell them the dinner's ready.

They sat at the dinner table and talked about the movie over sinigang, pinakbet and rice.

"How was the movie?" Mrs. Sanchez asked.

"Good effects but the rest is a mess of a remake, 3D was absolutely unnecessary," Kaylie said.

"Critic...but Sam Worthington more than make up for it," Catherine said.

They all laughed and continued talking. But Kaylie kept on looking at her cellphone. Finally Andre texted her. Hey, leaving Jake's house right now. We are going to the nearby bar. I'll call you when we're done. Jake is a classmate and a good friend of Andre. He was celebrating his birthday - all-boys' night out.