Ink and Prints

Chapter 37: Willows of the Past IV

Sing once again the elegy of memories
For now, a requiem has played
Sorrow filled the heavens as the sun and moon wail
And the sky only falls for the seraphim falls

-

I woke up to the sunlight striking the window of this somewhat familiar room; I am not home after all - at least I considered. It isn't home without him, and it feels so different not having him by my side for now. Hopes of overcoming this still fills my emotions right now. Sometimes I wish that I never understood things as much as I am capable right now, but that would leave my twin brother to the care of ignorance, and I never want him to be hurt because no one was there to side with him - no one who understood.

"Luna, gising ka na ba?" a familiar voice softly said as I gazed into the sunlit window. "Opo, Lola," I replied to her with a blank tone. "Apo, do your preparations na, ha? Your Tita Artemis is downstairs to pick you up. Siya maghahatid sa inyo sa ospital ngayon, may aasikasuhin na kasi si Mama mo." She immediately closed the door. I just stood up and did my preparations. I wonder where Sol is; if I recall correctly, he should be sleeping on the other bed. I think he went downstairs first.

I slowly stepped down from the second floor to the dining area and I can already see my twin brother talking with Tita A. It's rare for him to be this happy around adults - these moments seem to only be present during his encounters with Tita Artemis or with Dad. "Luna, come here. I brought something for you!" she excitedly said. I walked towards her and she immediately kissed my cheek.

"Ang ganda mo pa rin, ha? Kamukha mo kami ni Mama mo." She caressed my hair and patted my head. I turned my attention towards Sol and he only gave me a smile and a thumbs up. "Here, honey. I bought this dress for you. It's dark blue, isn't dark blue your favorite color?" Tita A excitedly said. I simply nodded at what she said; I can feel the change in the atmosphere, she's probably a bit sad because I wasn't in the mood. "Wear that dress, Luna. Your dad was the one who said na dark blue ang ibili ko sa 'yo." She gently pushed my twin and myself - indicating that we should prepare.

After quietly preparing, we went downstairs once more and we left with Tita Artemis. The car ride was filled with deafening silence - even my usually noisy aunt could not bear any word to speak. "So, Sol. Did you like the toys that I gave you?" she asked out of nowhere. "Yes, Tita. Thank you very much!" my brother happily replied. We just sat in silence once again after that little exchange between them.

After we arrived to the hospital, we immediately went straight to Dad's room.

"Diana, I can't take it anymore!" I heard a painful voice. Weeping sounds also came from the room, and I immediately rushed inside. I saw my mom breaking down and my father looking at me with surprise. "Princess, hi," he awkwardly said.

I just walked towards him. "Hey, you look pretty in that dress, your Tita A did a good job in picking it, huh?" he said to me as he pinched my cheek. Stop being happy out of nowhere, Dad, I know how painful it is for you. I glanced at my mom which was now at her usual snobby persona. "Of course, Gab. Hahayaan ko bang mukhang ewan ang pamangkin ko?" My tita barged into the room with Sol.

I observed the white room and it somehow chills me to the bone. I looked at Dad who is now really thin, he seems really tired with his overly pale skin. But he always kept a smile around me; the only time I saw him break down was that one time last week. Tita A patted my shoulder and she whispered that I should sit in the sofa beside Mom and Sol.

She looked at my dad. "How are you doing, Saint?" she cheerfully said to him. "Artemis naman, eh. 'Di ba I told you to stop calling me Saint ages ago." He scratched his head in an awkward manner. "I called you Gab kanina naman, eh." She laughed at him, and my father just laughed with her. "Ikaw talaga, Artemis. You never failed in making me laugh." He let out a light cough after saying that. "I'm better than my snobby twin anyway." She pouted as my mom glared at her.