Friday, last vigil. We were all present since we wouldn't be able to come tomorrow, the day of cremation.
Since it's a work day, expected na sa gabi pa dadating ang mga tao. Kat, Deanna and I decided to come early. After lunch pa lang nandoon na kami. Denice wasn't there when we arrived. She had to take a rest muna, baka katawan niya naman ang bumigay sa pagod. Thirdy and some of his relatives muna ang nagbabantay.
I was about to sit near-front but sa likuran na lang daw sabi ni Kat. I chose the 2nd to the last and he sat beside me, but the two sat at the last row. I just didn't mind. So Thirdy and I were catching up, Deanna and Kat were interacting naman but most of the time hinahayaan lang nila kaming mag-usap. Then Thirdy started to annoy me ( what he usually does 🙄 ). I said something like...
"Ang labo ah."
"Kayong dalawa 'yung malabo." Deanna said out of nowhere.
Thirdy and I pretended that we didn't hear what Deanna said. We continued teasing each other when he said that Julia's already there. I looked back and saw her at the corner. Observing from the first time I 'met' her, she's kinda shy type.
"Go na, tell her to join us."
Thirdy stood up and went to Julia. Nung malapit na sila, tsaka naman nagpaalam sina Kat na pupunta muna kina Van. Also, Thirdy's uncle called him, they had to buy some items sa grocery so yup it was just Julia and I. Believe it or not, no awkwardness for me at all. I guess for her too since she doesn't know me naman. As a matter of fact I think she was 'shookt' why I know basic things about her e ngayon niya pa lang ako nakausap.
"Nasabi na sa'yo ni Thirdy?"
"Ah yes, I asked him kanina nung wala ka pa." Yeah I lied, found out those things sa mga convo namin ni Thirdy.
Rest of the group (original section + Jia) arrived, it was like a reunion. Unfortunately, it had to be this way.
"Next time hindi 'yung sa ganito lang tayo nakukumpleto ah." Deanna said.
"Julia, sumama ka sa'min. Hayaan mo na 'yan si Thirdy." It was Maddie.
"Sure, sabihan niyo lang ako. I'll bring food din."
"See, may ambag pa siya. Mahiya ka naman Papa Thirdy."
"Buti pa si Julia ang bilis kausap, ikaw... 🙄" I told Thirdy.
"Ikaw na lang tropa namin Julia, palitan na 'to si Thirdy." Maddie.
Thirdy was just smiling.
"Yan Julia ah, sama ka sa'min sa susunod." I repeated.
"Nga pala Julia, ex yan ni Thirdy."
What did just Maddie say?
"Si Deanna rin ex ni Thirdy." Maddie realized what she said so she had to add this.
Julia laughed with Maddie's statement, so are we.
The mass started, followed by the necrological service. The group decided to stay at the back, we occupied the last three rows. Of course first four rows were occupied by Denice's and Thirdy's respective families. Sakto kitang-kita ko sina Thirdy and Julia from my seat.
As the priest was talking, my tears were slowly falling.
"Akala ko ba hindi ka iiyak." Deanna noticed.
"Naipon na, hindi ko na kaya."
And how strong Denice is, she was the one who made the AVP of her family! Buhay na buhay si Ara sa mga photos. For the nth time, who would have thought na that pretty, sweet and smart girl's already gone. Couldn't help to think that she left so that her parents didn't have to 'fight' anymore. Thirdy and Denice's guardian angel.
Maddie gave me a tissue but when I looked at her she was crying too. Actually my friends din pala. I wasn't lying when I said that naipon na. I was the most emotional in our group. And it was a wrong move to look at Thirdy, the sight of him crying brought me more tears and I couldn't control it. I also saw how Julia was trying to hold back her tears so she could comfort Thirdy.
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Cremation day and I woke up early. I know we won't attend naman, our group decided to give this day sa pamilya mismo nina Denice at Thirdy. I just couldn't sleep so I shoot Denice a message. Thought of sending Thirdy too but decided to do it later.
After an hour, I started composing a long message. Sa kanya it's a condolence msg but sa akin it's my way of not naman goodbye, but finally letting go. Maybe it's also the Universe way of telling us to move on with our respective lives.
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