Redamancy

XI.

PART 1

***

Richard is so busy at work. There are so many projects to take care of especially now that election season is about to come up. Too many things on his plate that he already forgot to eat his lunch. It's already 5pm but his day is not yet over. Too tired but he has to keep going. He was busy signing some paperworks in his office when his secretary approached him..

"Mayor, magovertime po ba kayo ngayon?"

He checked the time and sighed.

"Hindi na lang. Pagod na ako. Uuwi na rin siguro ako pagkatapos nito.."
"Okay po. May kailangan pa po ba sila?"
"Um.. wala na. Uwi ka na and rest.."
"Okay, sir! Thank you po!"

His secretary left him to finish.

It's almost 7pm, he finished everything and decided to just finish the rest again tomorrow. He just wants to go home. He is hungry, tired, and could feel a migraine coming. He asked his driver to pick him up so he can go home.

He got home and saw a note from Lucy by the refrigerator..

"I had to fly back, Hon! I will see you this weekend. Love you!"

He found some left overs, heated them up, grabbed them and just decided to eat in his room to finally rest. He tried to finish his dinner but fatigue and the headache took over him and he drifted off to sleep.

At around 12 midnight, he woke up to use the bathroom and felt that he needed a glass of water after. He went down bringing his phone and got a glass to drink. He stayed for a bit when he decided to check his phone for his schedule tomorrow but he saw a couple messages instead.

3 missed calls.
8 messages.

"3 missed calls? Why is she calling me?"

He immediately checked her messages.
"Gomz.."
"Are you there?"
"Gising ka pa ba?"
"Richard, call me.."
"I need to talk to you.."
"I will wait for your call.."
"Gomz, please call me!"
"I'm here lang.."

He checked the time. It's 12:18am.

He immediately pressed call hoping that she will pick up and she did on the second ring.

"Dawn.."
"Gomz.." her voice a bit shaky.
"Anong nangyari? Okay ka lang ba?"
Dawn was trying not to cry.
"Are you still there? Dawn? Galit ka ba? Sorry kung di ako nakareply. Ang dami kong ginawa sa opisina eh. Hindi ko na nga naharap yung telepono ko. Sorry kung -"
"She's gone.."
Richard thinks.
"Gone? Sino?"
"Gomz, wala na si Tita Midz.. she died this afternoon.."
Dawn started crying after she told him the news. Richard was shocked that he couldn't say anything for a while.

“What?” His voice was almost hoarse, feeling his throat dry and his eyes water-y.

“Kanina...” Dawn can’t stop herself from crying. “Ka-ni... kanina tumawag si Vi-viv, sa-sabi niya Tita Midz was go-gone.” Tears are just flowing from both of their eyes.

"And the fans were tweeting and tagging us with their posts on social media.."

Richard is just speechless. Was he that busy that he didn't check his social media? He is still trying to wrap his head around what Dawn said.

Their beloved Tita Midz. The one who put them together. Without her, there would be no Richard and Dawn. Because of her, he met one of the most beautiful woman on earth. And now, she's gone.

"Gomz.."
"I'm still here.."
"Nakausap ko si Carlitos kanina and he said, they'll have a private viewing for her tomorrow before opening it to the public. If hindi ka busy, it would be nice if we can go but if busy ka -"
"Darating ako."
“Okay..”