Probably, A Trip

Chapter Seventeen

"Our condolences, Engineer Marquez."

Condolences from different family is all I heard. Maya't-maya ang datingan ng mga tao para makilamay. I was just beside Xia the whole time. We we're both silent while looking at Mia's coffin.

I don't know how I managed to fight despite the pain I was feeling. Mia's been my sister too. She was also my friend when Xia's not at my side. Marami din kaming napagsamahan. She's very important to me also. And then, it happened. I really wished Vince face prison because of his crime and beliable on what he did to Mia. It was really unexpected yet very unholy. I never expected all my life Vince will do that. Iba yung pagkakilala ko sakanya. But given the fact that Mia often experience being harm by Vince, it was undeniable that he will do that. Mia's being harrased and raped by her own brother. Sobrang karumal-dumal.

"Chescka, kumain ka muna." Xia's mother, tita Vern, told me. I smiled a little and shook my head. "Salamat po pero ayos lang po ako."

I looked at Xia who's now gawking at Mia's coffin while crying silently. Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Sobrang sakit makita na nahihirapan yung kaibigan mo. I was hurt too. Ni hindi ko na maisip yung sariling problema ko sa sakit na nararamdaman. Tita Vern just nod her head and tapped my shoulder before leaving.

Noong kinahapunan ay dumating si daddy. I was shocked seeing him but, he really came despite how angry he was by Xia and her family.

"Condolence, Mr. & Mrs. Marquez. I never expected this will happen to your family." Dad told Tita Vern and Tito John. They smiled and talked to Dad so I had the chance to went back at Xia.

"I'm here." I told her when I saw her crying again. She rested her head in my shoulder and cried harder.

"I hate that man. Kung...kung alam ko lang may balak siya kay Mia, matagal ko na siyang binantayan." I carressed her hair softly. "It's not your fault. Magbabayad din siya ng kasalanan niya."

I was with Xia throughout the wake until funeral. It was so hard for her because she loves Mia so much. It was really painful. Hindi ko din akalain na mangyayari 'yon kay Mia mismong gawa ng kapatid niya. It was unexpected.

Mabuti naman at agad na sinampahan ng kaso si Vince. Lumalaban pa kasi yung biological mother ni Vince kaya nahihirapan pa din sina Tita John. And besides, mas inuna nila si Mia bago sa kaso.

"Ches, andito si Bonifacio." Jyrah whispered at me. Agad akong lumingon kung saan ang itinuro niya. And there he is. He's standing at the back, looking at Mia's coffin.

Today is her funeral. I didn't know how did he know about this. Or why did he came here. Because I felt nothing. I'm mourning over Mia to not feel anything about him. Iniwan niya ako. Ginusto niya akong iwan.

Malakas na iyak ni Xia ang narinig ko nang ibaba na ang kabaong ni Mia. Tita Vern also collapsed earlier kaya inaasikaso siya ni Tito John. It was painful seeing them. Sobrang sakit makita.

After the funeral, sinamahan ko pa si Xia sa cemetery for about an hour. Pinauwi na rin naman ako nina Tito John dahil sila na daw ang bahala. Hindi pa sana ako aalis pero pinilit nila ako.

Pagdating ko sa bahay ay nagulat ako nang makita ko si Bon doon. He was standing near his car, basically waiting for me. Hindi pa sana ako lalabas sa kotse pero wala siyang balak umalis.

"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly.

I know I told him I will still love him for the sake of his happiness, but I felt nothing but tiredness. Gusto ko nang magpahinga sa sobrang pagod buong araw tapos andito siya sa harap ko. Para ano? Para saktan na naman ako? Para dagdagan na naman yung sakit na nararamdaman ko?