Branded Series Book 2: Melodia (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

NANG PUMASOK si Melodia sa kwarto ni Nika kagabi para matulog, hiniling nito na tabi sila. Nang madaling araw, ginising siya nito at hiniling kung pwede niyang itabi dito si Reese na sinunod na naman niya.

Then few hours later, Nika smiled at her and said “Hindi ko na kaya.” That’s when she felt something is about to happen. Nika kissed Reese’s forehead while saying “Sorry and I love you” then asked to bring Reese back to her crib which she immediately obliged.

Pagbalik niya sa kama, ngumiti ito at ilang beses na nagpasalamat bago ipinikit ang mga mata. Nika heavily gasped for air which made her panic and desperately called for Andre.

Nika’s right hand fell from the side of the bed after that. She didn’t know what to do. Her heart was beating so fast, her throat went dry, and she’s shaking. Narinig niyang umiyak si Reese at tinawag lang ulit niya si Andre.
Her tears fell down. She walked closer to Nika and sat beside her. Her best friend…

Wala sa sariling niyakap niya ito. She was still warm, but not breathing. Yakap- yakap niya si Nika nang marinig na pumasok si Andre.

“Fvck…” Mahinang usal ni Andre at lumapit sa kanya. “Let’s take her to the hospital.”

Umiling siya habang yakap pa din ito. “No. She’s tired. Sabi niya hindi na niya kaya.” Nilingon niya si Andre. “She wanted to rest, Andy.” Humagulgol siya at hinawakan ang kamay ni Nika.

Her palms are getting colder. “Rest, Niks. I hate seeing you suffer in pain.” Hinagod niya ang buhok nito at humagulgol.

Wala na talaga si Nika.

Andre took a step towards her and hugged her. She hugged him back while sitting on the bed. Wala siyang lakas na tumayo. She saw Nika taking her last breath and it’s really painful to see.

Hinagod ni Andre ang likod niya. “Tahan na. At least, she’s now resting. Hindi na siya nakakaramdam ng sakit.” Pag- aalo nito sa kanya. Malungkot din ang boses nito.

Binitawan siya nito mula sa pagkakayakap at may tinawagan. Siya naman ay kinuha sa crib si Reese na umiiyak at bumalik sa kama ni Nika para ayusin ang kumot nito.

Reese was mumbling while looking at Nika. Her hands were reaching for her mom. Ang sakit sa pakiramdam. Wala pang muwang si Reese. Hindi pa nito alam ang mga nangyayari.

Niyakap niya ito ng mahigpit sa bisig niya. “Ninang is here for you, baby. Okay? Ninang will never leave you.”

Naramdaman niyang may yumakap sa kanya mula sa likuran. It was Andre. He hugged them, she and Reese.

Hinagod nito ang likod ni Reese. “Ninong is here for you too, baby.” He kissed Reese’s forehead and hugged them tight again. “Nagpatawag na ako ng punerarya.” Bulong nito sa kanya at hinagod ang magkabilang balikat niya. “You did great, Mely. Nika saw how great of a friend you are.”

That comforted her. Pero lalo siyang naiyak.

Lumipat sa harap niya si Andre at niyakap ulit silang dalawa ni Reese na ngayon ay unti- unti nang tumatahan. Tinuyo nito ang mga luha niya at kinuha si Reese.

He hugged her tight with one arm while holding Reese on the other. Gan’on lang sila hanggang sa pumasok ang katulong at pinaalam sa kanila na nasa labas na ang punerarya.

She’s crying in Andre’s arm while watching Nika being taken away by the staff of the funeral homes.

Ilang araw lang ang itinagal ng lamay. Itinabi nila si Nika sa puntod ni Fred. Now, they’re finally together.