In a Split Second

Chapter 40

#IASS40

The days went by in a blink of an eye. We were all devastated upon his death. None of us expected this to happen and the fact that I was the last one who saw him in cold corpse. Though, I haven't been with Miguel for a long time, I'm sure he was a good person. I regretted that I doubted him before but I then I realized he just wanted to help me.

The day when I said to my Uncle about Miguel's death left him speechless. He didn't utter a single word and we were just so lost in the moment. From then on, he never spoke to me again. I know he's been through a lot and seeing his friend died so suddenly, he couldn't do anything. I still remember every bit of the things he said to me about him. If it wasn't for him, Uncle wouldn't have helped me. He wouldn't be the same man that he is right now and for that, I admire him more than ever. It became a manifestation of me and Rio.

Uncle is not the type of person who shows his emotions but after our talk a few days ago, I saw his different side. His vulnerable side that I never expected to see for the past years. What's even surprising to me is that how I see him today. He wasn't showing emotion but even if he tries so hard to conceal it, I knew he was in deep sorrow. Miguel became a huge part of his life and same goes to me. I don't know the rest of their history, but I know they treasure each other very much.

He wasn't just a friend.

He was a family, that will live forever in our hearts.

Bahagyang pumatak ang ulan mula sa kalangitan at agad kong binuksan ang dala kong payong. Nandito kami ngayong lahat sa labas habang nililibing ang bangkay ni Miguel. The funeral service ended an hour.

I saw Paulita from a distance and there were dry tears from her eyes. Isa siya sa mga nagtestimonya tungkol kay Miguel. I thought Uncle would do the same but he refused. Katabi ko siya ngayon at nasa kanan ko naman si Rio. I held my umbrella tighter as I watch Miguel's coffin get burried on the ground. Wala ni isa sa'min ang nagsasalita simula nung funeral service.

They decided to keep his funeral private. It was only his Mom and his sister who went. There were others who came but eventually left after the funeral service. Kaming anim nalang ang natira dito.

Nahagip ng mata ko ang nanay niya na humagulgol at agad namang siyang dinaluhan ng anak niya. Nagtama ang panigin namin ng kapatid ni Miguel at agad akong umiwas ng tingin. Binalik ko ang atensiyon sa harap at tuluyan ng nalibing ang bangkay ni Miguel.

Ilang sandali ay nilapitan ni Uncle ang nanay ni Miguel kasama ang kapatid nito. Bakas padin ang luha na nang gagaling sa mata ng nanay niya at unit-unti naman siyang niyakap ni Uncle. I saw him whisphered something on her ear and she slowly nodded. Kumalas naman ng yakap ang nanay ni Miguel at sunod namang niyakap ni Uncle ang kapatid nito.

Ilang sandali ay tahimik silang nag-usap tatlo. Tahimik lang kami ni Rio habang pinagmamasda sila. Umayos ako ng tayo nung lumingon si Uncle sa direksiyon namin at ganun din ang nanay ni Miguel pati ang kapatid niya. Tumango ako bilang pag galang sa kanila at malungkot lang silang ngumiti.

Hindi ko kayang titigan sila ng matagal kaya tinuon ko nalang ang atensiyon ko kay Rio. Nakita kong dumaan sa gilid si Paulita at nakidalo sa pamilya ni Miguel. Nag-usap silang apat habang kaming dalawa ni Rio ay nasa tabi lang ilang metro ang layo sa kanila.

"Guess we're not part of the family huh?" he suddenly said.

I smiled bitterly as I watched them from afar. "You know it's funny how Miguel owns a gambling house and I'm sure he knows a lot of people but here we are, just the six of us."

I heard him sighed. "They're just in it for the money and not the person."

Sometimes, people are just there for the fortune. They come and go especially when they already get what they want from that person. Some are just there for the fun but it's rare to find someone who'll stick by your side even in the darkest moments.