That day, Dasher was announced dead. Hanggang ngayon ay gulat pa rin ako sa nangyari kay Dash.
Dasher is a good friend even though I'm not that close with him and I don't want to accept his death. Hanggang ngayon ay naaalala ko pa ang asaran at sagutan nila Archer. I can still remember the way he cared for me when I was pregnant. Aside from Creed, Archer and Dasher's there for me while I was carrying my child.
After hearing that news, I tried to hold back my tears but I failed.
I tried to contact Creed after that but he's not answering and I understand him.
Kasabay noon ang pagkalat ng balita sa underground tungkol sa pagkamatay ng Universe ng Cosmos. At first I am confused, then after that, a news saying that Dr. Dasher Alterio is the Universe of Cosmos spreaded on the underground like a wildfire.
Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nagpakalat o kanino nanggaling ang kagaguhang iyon. Kung hindi lang sinabi sa akin ni Lolo Leonardo na siya ang former boss ng Cosmos ay baka paniwalaan ko rin ang balitang iyon, na si Dash ang Universe. Nasisiguro ko na nasa mga Lozano pa ang pamamahala ng Cosmos at isa sa mga apo ni Lolo ang humahawak noon. I'm not sure if Mirae is the Universe but definitely not Dasher.
I immediately went outside the car after parking it. I looked at the entrance of the funeral house and immediately saw Mirae.
I entered the funeral house wearing a black jumpsuit. Sumabay ako ng pagpasok nang may bisitang dumating at abala si Mirae roon kaya naman hindi niya ako napansin.
I saw Astrid approaching, maybe to assist me but I immediately signalled her that she doesn't have to as I shook my head. Maraming nakikiramay na mas kaylangang asikasuhin kaya sa akin. Bahagya siyang tumango habang nakangiti sa akin ngunit bakas sa mukha ang lungkot.
Agad akong pumunta sa lugar kung saan walang masyadong makakapansin sa akin, baka magkagulo lang lalo at hindi ako pamilyar sa mga narito. I sat down on the last row where there were only few people seated. I saw Dasher's urn in front. I heard he's cremated the moment he died.
I saw a woman weeping near Dasher's urn, I assumed that she's Dash's mother.
Hindi na ako lumapit kay Dash at nanatili nalang sa kinauupuan.
I saw Creed with his bloodshot eyes and disheveled hair roaming around. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin at ilang minuto pa ang aking hinintay bago nagtama ang aming mga mata.
He immediately walked near me. "Can we talk?" Bungad niya sa akin.
I nodded as I rose up. Iginiya ako nito sa direksyon na pinanggalingan niya. It is a room where foods are in. Wala ng ibang tao rito maliban sa amin ni Creed.
"I'm sorry, I missed your calls," Creed muttered. He looks so tired, sa tingin ko ay hindi pa ito natutulog mula nang mabalitaan ang nangyari kay Dasher hanggang ngayon.
"It's okay." I bit my lower lip. "I'm sorry about what happened, my deepest condolences, Creed."
He nodded his head.
"Are you...alright?" I asked though I already know he's not.
He didn't answer me, he just sighed as he pulled me closer to him. He encircled his arms around me. Isiniksik niya ang mukha sa pagitan ng aking leeg habang tahimik lang na nakayakap sa akin.
Ilang minuto kaming nanatili sa ganoong posisyon hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang paggalaw ni Creed. He rested his chin on my shoulder while he's still hugging me tightly.
"I failed, Vinia." I heard his voice faltered. He placed his hand on my head while the other stayed on my waist. I felt him gently caressing my hair and stopped after a while.