Night above the City Lights

02

"Russell just turned 21 yesterday and we celebrated it with his family and of course, Vincent. Ikakasal na din pala si ate Camille at kuya Paul, she asked to be one of her bridesmaids. Gosh! I'm so happy for them. Mom also set up a blind date again. Did she really wants me to get married?" I laughed and suddenly closed my mouth with my hands. "Oh My Gosh! You know what? I met a guy at the rooftop yesterday. He called me 'weirdo' kasi akala ko tatalon sya don. It's so embarrassing because I said I lot of things tapos nung kinuwento ko kay Vincent...he just laughed at me."

The place was so quiet. It's so peaceful. Tanging mga lagaslas lamang ng dahon at ihip ng hangin ang naririnig ko. Niyakap ko ang tuhod ko at marahang ipinatong mula don ang aking baba.

"I miss you so much, Alessandra. I wish you're with me." I slowly wiped my tears.

Alessandra is my older sister. She died when I was 15 years old and she was 17 at that time. We didn't know that she was depressed at that time because she was always happy. 5 years ago, she said that she don't want to go to school because she's not feeling well. Aabsent na sana si mommy from work para alagaan sya kaso pinilit nyang kaya nya ang sarili nya. Nagulat na lang ako nung pag uwi ko galing school, ang daming gamot na nakakalat sa loob ng kwarto nya habang nakahiga sya sa sahig at bumubula ang bibig. Sinubukan namin syang isugod sa hospital kaso wala na. I blamed myself, what if sinamahan ko sya? What if hindi ako umalis sa tabi nya? What if nalaman ko agad na depressed sya? I'm her sister and I didn't do anything. Mom was also devastated. She cried every night. She also blamed herself because she felt guilty on what happened to my sister. That's why kahit na anong sabihin nya ay sinusunod ko dahil ayaw kong nakikita syang nasasaktan, not again.

"I love you." Hinalikan ko ang picture naming dalawa bago ilagay sa tabi ng lapida nya. "I'll visit you again. Bye, Alessandra"

I drove to our house because mom wants to have a dinner with us. Dad was been so busy these past few days dahil may malaki daw na kaso ang inassign sa kanya. Today was Sunday kaya wala akong pasok. Uuwi din ako dahil may pasok pa bukas.

"I missed you, mom" I gave her I quick kiss to her cheeks.

"I miss you too, Cassandra." She smiled.

"Where's daddy?" I asked.

"He's upstairs. Go ahead and call your dad, I'll just prepare our dinner." I nodded and smiled sweetly at her.

I went to his study room and saw him reading some papers. He immediately stopped when he saw me standing beside the door.

"Oh! Cassandra, hija. Have you just arrived?" He wrapped his arms around me.

"Yes, dad. You looked so busy. Is it about your new case?" He slowly nodded.

"It's quite big and stressful." He laughed softly. "By the way, where's your mom? Did she already saw you?"

"Yes, mom's preparing dinner. She asked me to call you."

"Are you going to sleep here tonight, hija? Do you have class tomorrow?" He asked while we're going down stairs.