Phoenix (Disconnected)

Chapter 1

Nicole

It could have been an ordinary day if it weren't for this event.

"Thank you for coming. She'll appreciate all of this."

I have never seen tita like this, until now. She looked so frail and tired. I'm worried that she might collapse.

"I'm so sorry... If we were there-" I choked in the middle of my sentence and felt myself tremble. If we were there, then what? We could've stopped all of this. Can we?

"She would be happy to see you all here." Tita forced a broken smile between her sobbing.

How could the sunshine so bright like this? Like nothing happened?! I know it's wrong, but I felt everything is unfair. She's my sister! Even though we're not blood-related, her parents are one of the nicest people I knew, many loved her, so why?

"Nicole." I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I'll stay." I looked at Cathy and Simon, our friends.

"You don't have to." Tita gave me another one of her broken smile, but failed midway.

I took her hands and clasped it gently. "I want to. Please take care of yourself. It's okay to grieve, I know it's hard for all of us, but she wouldn't be happy to see you breaking this way."

She began to sob again, so I hugged her. "Go on without me, I'll catch up later okay?" I told our friends with a pleading look on my face.

"Okay, keep safe. Condolence again Tita." Cathy and Simon bowed their heads before leaving.

As minutes turn to hours. The guests bade their goodbyes to the family.

"Nicole, aren't you going home?" Tita asked me worriedly.

"It's okay po. I want to stay with her for a bit."

They gave me a soft smile in which I return. After another hour. Noire's family bade me goodbye and left.

"It's just you and me huh?" I felt that I might choke my words if I wouldn't be careful.

"Uhm...I'll get us some drinks. Mango, right? As always." I got up and dust myself in case I have grasses all over me.

I went to the vending machine, not far from the venue, and slid my money. I found myself getting some comfort in the silence and whirring response of the vending machine. The moment is bliss-cut short when I'm interrupted by the loud thunk of our drinks.

"C'mon Nicole! You can do this!" I pumped myself up and get our drinks.

I jogged carefully not to shake our drinks that much. I abruptly stopped when I see a group of people in the distance, in front of Noire's grave.

"I thought-" My sentence was cut short when one of them brought out a shovel and aim to dig my friend's grave.

What?!

•••••••••••••••••••••••
The word "Tita" and "Tito" is a Tagalog form of Aunt and Uncle.
In the Philippines, you can use it even the person is not blood-related, yet close to you.

The term "Po" and " Opo" is used, also in the Philippines, as a sign of respect to adults and the elderly.