Queen Biyachessa

“Jenn, honey, go get the popcorn,” her mother ordered.
Jennilyn Hanyan sighed deeply. Her mother sure sounded tired. If there was anyone in the house who deserved to be tired, it would have been her.
Jennilyn stood up from her sofa seat and quickly took the popcorn bag from the microwave. She really was tired. She was tired of her life; that’s for sure.
Jennilyn handed the popcorn to her mother. Her mother looked up at her and smiled.
“Thanks, dear,” her mother said, winking at her. She quickly turned back to the ugly classic movie she was watching.
Jennilyn wanted so much to be angry with her mother. She wanted to throw a tantrum, rage out everything she had been feeling the past 6 years. But she never could.

Jennilyn was an outstanding student in her school, straight A’s, a friend of everyone; in short, a perfect student. She had a job at a café near school, a job supposed to give her allowance. But lately, her salary had been off to pay electric and water bills.
Her mother didn’t work. She was a housewife, a supposed to be mother and supposed to be in charge of the house when Jennilyn wasn’t home. Her mother wasn’t like that now, like she used to be a few years back. Jennilyn never got to come home to a clean house anymore. She never got to come home to a mother either.

On the other side, her father, filthy rich that he is, was also known to be the hottest father in their city. He had affairs here and there and both Jennilyn and her mother knew that. He comes home every 3 days, 50 thousand bucks in hand and three women clinging to his wrist. Even though he was rich, he never gave anything to pitch in for any bills.
To summarize it, Jennilyn was the mother, the father and the child of their house.

Jennilyn looked out and groaned. She watched through the window as the mailman set their mail at the front porch. She didn’t want to have to look at that.
Her mother didn’t hear her groan.
Jennilyn stood up and went out of the house to pick up the bills.
She knew it. Water bills, cable bills, the electric bills and internet bills.
At least they didn’t have to pay for the house.
Why did she have to live this life? Jennilyn just wished she had a normal father and a normal mother.

A car honked up the driveway and a brand new Mercedes pulled up. Jennilyn looked up.
Her father was home. She kept watching at the porch as her father climbed out of the car. He pulled open the back door and let out three women who looked like they had come out of a fashion magazine. Her father looked up to the porch and saw her.
“Hi baby,” he greeted her.
“Hi Dad,” she replied, trying to smile. Her father raised his expensive glasses to his head and beamed at her.
He went up the porch and his flock of girls followed him. He moved over to her and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Where’s your mother, baby?” he asked.
“She’s watching some ugly movie inside,” Jennilyn automatically replied. She was so used to this.
His father turned to the ladies behind him.
“Ladies,” he addressed to them, “this is my daughter. Jenn, baby, these are the women from the Slicke magazine,” he introduced them. He turned to Jennilyn, “don’t they look beautiful?”
“Uh- yeah, Dad,” Jennilyn said, wearily, “what are they doing here?”
“These ladies have to have a nude photo of themselves. They didn’t agree to that, but since the agency really needed their nude photo, I offered to picture it for them. And the ladies agreed. Isn’t that wonderful?” her father explained.
Jennilyn’s eyes popped open. Ladies walking around the house completely naked?
“But Dad!” she protested.
“I told you she’d agree,” he said turning to the ladies, completely opposite of what she meant, “isn’t she such a doll?” he added, winking at the ladies.
The ladies all replied a yes to him. Jennilyn could almost laugh. Those ladies may be beautiful, but they were nothing but just the body.
They entered the house leaving Jennilyn outside.
Jennilyn turned back to their street and studied their neighbors’ house. She knew they were watching. They were always watching especially when her father came home.
She sighed. She hated this life. She could die right now and she’d be grateful.

Suddenly, she couldn’t take it anymore. Images of the worst times in her life flashed through her mind. She wanted out. And she wanted it now.
Jennilyn went back inside. She ran up to her room and grabbed a small bag. She filled it up with some of her clothes, a picture of her parents and her friends, her painting materials and her diary. Then she stuffed in her wallet. She just got her pay and she knew she had saved enough to get her away from this hell. She added in her most valuable stuff and her collection of real jewelry. If she wanted to live long, she’d have to make some sacrifices. She opened her bedroom window and threw her bag down.
She just had to make out through the front door without anyone noticing. Jennilyn changed into some decent clothes and pulled her flats on.
“Going somewhere?” a voice asked.
Jennilyn jumped right out of her skin and turned to her door, her face growing hot.
Her father stood there looking at her. He didn’t wait for an answer.
“Baby, could you get us some wine at the store?” he said.
Thanks, Dad, you just got me out of this house as easy as ever, she thought.
“Okay, Dad,” she replied not looking at her father.
“Thanks, baby,” he said. He entered the room and planted a stack of 100 dollar bills on her palm.
“Dad, this is a huge amount, how many do I have to buy?” she said knowing the bills must cost a thousand at least.
“Just one, baby,” he said and winked at her. He left the room, a smile on his face.
Jennilyn glared at his back. He wasted so much money. But still he never pitched in to pay for any bills. She hurried to the door and caught her father kissing one of his ladies on the lips. She scowled, disgusted.
“Dad?” she said.
Her father looked up, surprised and quickly moved away from his ladies.
As if I didn’t know, Dad, you are so fake, she yelled at him through her mind.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Can I use the BMW?” she said. He chuckled and walked over to give his daughter a hug and a kiss on her forehead.
“You are growing up,” he commented, “sure, why not? You can have it too,” he said a smug look on his face. His ladies looked amazed.
Idiots, Jennilyn thought through the smile on her face.
“Thanks, Dad,” Jennilyn replied. At least she got to kiss her father before she left.
Jennilyn quickly ran down the stairs and planted a kiss on her mother’s forehead. She ran out into the garage ignoring her mother’s questions. She tiptoed to the back yard to get her bag. Picking up her bag, she heard some noises in the dining room.
Jennilyn couldn’t help it. She tiptoed over to take a look.
She watched disgusted, disappointed and hurt at the same time. Her father and his ladies were in the dining room, all making out with each other. Such a sight she didn’t need.
She was more determined now to leave than ever. Jennilyn heaved a sigh and quickly ran to the garage. She threw her bag into the BMW convertible and hopped in. She wanted out. Far away. Far away from this living hell.
Jennilyn backed out the driveway and out to the road.
Finally! She was out.

“Greg, where did Jenn go?” Mrs. Hanyan asked looking up to her husband.
“Isnt she back yet?” he asked, “I told her to go buy wine for us,” he explained to her, ignoring the fact that one of his ladies was kissing him in front of his wife.
“No, she’s not back yet. Greg, she’s been gone for 3 hours,” Mrs. Hanyan said.
Greg Hanyan pushed his girl away and leaned on the sofa. His eyes narrowed to a concerned look.
“What?” he exclaimed. One of the ladies started pawing him again.
“Stop it,” he hissed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hanyan looked at each other.
“Oh my god,” Mrs. Hanyan cried, realizing.
“Good lord,” Mr. Hanyan said. He quickly ran up to his daughter’s room and pulled open the closet. The hangers hung freely. He pulled open the drawers. There was less clothes. He quickly ran down.
“Her clothes aren’t there anymore,” he announced.
Mrs. Hanyan burst into tears.
“This is my fault,” she cried.
Mr. Hanyan sat down beside her, a look of worry creasing his handsome face.
“Call the police!” Mrs. Hanyan told him. For the first time in his life, he obeyed his wife.
“Greeeeeeg,” one of his ladies cooed. Greg ignored them. He continued talking to the police.
“We have to find her Greg, she’s our baby, and we have to find her!” Mrs. Hanyan cried pulling at his shirt.
“We will, I promise, we will,” he said and for the first time in 6 years, he pulled his wife into a hug.
“What about us?” one of his ladies asked pouting. Greg glared at her.
“Don’t you see? My daughter is missing!” he yelled, his voice thundering at the walls.
The three ladies looked surprised. They quickly pulled themselves together and with an evil eye at Greg; they all trudged out the door.
“Don’t we have any numbers of her friends or something?” Mrs. Hanyan asked.
“I don’t know, Lisa, I never asked her,” Mr. Hanyan said, looking like his world had come down on him.
Mrs. Hanyan began to walk back and forth. She couldn’t believe it.
How could Jennilyn leave them?
“This is our fault, Greg,” Mrs. Hanyan said.
“I know. I didn’t think about her. I didn’t think we were hurting her! How stupid could I have been?” Greg said.
“This is hell!” Mrs. Hanyan said, tears trailing down her cheeks.
She continued sobbing as her husband talked to the police.
“What was she riding, Mr. Hanyan?” the police said
“My BMW convertible. She just went out, I asked her to buy wine, I didn’t think she had other plans and I kind of gave her a lot of money. She could be anywhere! Please find her! Please!” Greg Hanyan told the police.
“Oh my god, Greg, she’s calling!” Mrs. Hanyan said raising her cell phone. She quickly answered it. Greg moved to her side and leaned in to hear what her daughter said.
“Jennilyn, why are you doing this to us? Come home now, please!” Mrs. Hanyan begged.
“No,” was the firm but soft answer that replied to her.
“Jenny, baby, please come home!” Greg pleaded with his wife.
“No, Daddy, stop that! You know I won’t come home anymore! I never want to!” Jennilyn cried back, her answer muffled by her tears.
“Why? Why are you doing this Jenn?” her mother asked, “Listen to us!”
“No, Mom, you listen to me,” a sudden stronger voice yet still drowned by her obvious sobbing., “look at you and Dad. When was the last time any of you ever treated me like their child? I don’t need comfort, Mom, I need a mother! And Dad, I don’t need your money, all I need is for you to realize that you already have a family and you have a child that needs you and not that damned money of yours!”
The two parents couldn’t believe what they just heard.
“Uh, Jenn –,” her mother tried, stammering.
“Forget it, Mom, I’ll never get to you both!” Jennilyn cried.
Then, her parents heard a “click” on the other side.

Both slowly sat down, shocked to hear what their daughter said, and only then had they realized what they had done to their daughter.
“Sir, Ma’am, I think we’ve found a way,” a voice behind them said.
Both parents turned to look at the policeman behind them.
“How, officer?” Greg asked, his voice shaking.
“Well, you did say that she was using a BMW right?”
“Yes,” Greg answered in a weak voice. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t breathe properly.
“Well, I called your office and the place where you bought the car. Your boss says he had a tracking device on your car and so has the place where you bought it,” the policeman explained.
“Then what are we doing here?” Greg shouted standing up. His wife pulled his wrist to calm him down. He bent and took his wife by both sides. He looked into her eyes.
“I’m going to find our daughter. And I promise when she gets back, I’m going to fix everything! I promise,” he said, then without any warning, he touched his lips to his wife.
“Sir, our car is waiting. We’ve tracked her down,” the policeman cut in and Greg pulled away. He immediately followed the police out.
Mrs. Hanyan touched her lips softly. She hadn’t been kissed by her husband since 6 years ago.

Jennilyn swerved to the right. She almost got hit again.
If she didn’t drive any better, her life would soon be over.
Jennilyn shut her eyes for awhile. They were swollen after crying over the phone and the more she tried to keep it open, the more it ached. Maybe she’d top over awhile and get some sleep. At least maybe she’d feel better the next day.
Suddenly she heard a loud horn.
Her eyes flew open only to see a huge truck coming up to her. Her heart beat sped up and she began to panic.
She moved the wheel as quickly as she could to the left, to her only possible safety. To the left, straight into a huge mango tree, crashing the front of the car, with the impact so big, Jennilyn was forced into the car glass.

Jennilyn felt her head heavy. Her eyes could barely open. She reached to her forehead and tried to feel her head. She could see blood through her failing eyes.
It was then that she resigned to her heavy head. Everything turned black.

Jennilyn awoke to the airy smell of medicine. She blinked open her eyes.
“Baby!” a voice greeted her softly.
Her vision then, started to clear and she saw both her mom and dad.
“Where am I?” she murmured. She felt too weak to say much.
“You’re safe now, baby,” her father told her. She felt his hand brushing her cheek.
“Yes, sweetheart, you’re safe now,” she heard her mother’s voice.
She saw her mother and tears began trailing down her cheek.
The sight of both her parents together was the one thing she ever dreamed for.
“Do I have a family now?” she asked, weakly.
She watched her parents look at each other and smile. For the first time in 6 years, she felt they seemed happy.
“Yes, baby,” her father said leaning over to brush his lips to his daughter’s forehead.
“Yes, you have a family now. And that family’s going to stay forever,” her mother added.
Jennilyn felt her eyes tearing. Slowly, her tired face broke into a smile.

chickenlittle21: I can’t believe we’re moving you know. It’s so annoying
archie101: I’m sorry. Why are you moving anyway?
chickenlittle21: just my lovely mother’s choice. I feel like killing her
archie101: lol. Don’t, that’s real trouble, you know
chickenlittle21: I know. It’s funny though, how much I love my mother and no matter how far we’re moving, I still love her to bits.
archie101: good for you. Hey, you haven’t told me where you’re going yet.
chickenlittle21: I think I have to go. We have to be up early tomorrow. Don’t worry, once we set up the computer there, I’ll tell you everything.
archie101: good. I’ll miss you.
chickenlittle21: I’ll miss you too.
archie101: take care okay? And talk to me when you get there.
chickenlittle21: I will.

Katrina clicked off her computer. She kicked the boxes near her bed. She winced.
“Ouch,” she murmured to herself.
“Kat, kicking the boxes again?” a voice said at the door. Katrina turned and smiled sheepishly. Mishama Andres, her mother, stood in the doorway. She looked tired and worn out from all the packing. In her right hand, she held a cup of coffee and her left hand was wrapped in a bandage. Katrina stared at the bandage.
“Oh this?” her mother said, “that’s nothing. I just cut myself after packing the knives.”
Her mother avoided looking into her eyes. You’re lying, Katrina yelled at her but only in her mind. She sat down on Katrina’s bed and pulled her into a hug.
“Mom, you don’t have to be so strong, you know,” Katrina said.
“I have to, Kat, we’re alone now and your father’s not going to be of any help,” her mother said tiredly. Then her eyes lit up, patting Katrina on the back, “don’t worry, sweetheart, when we get to Gen San, we’ll be fine there.”
“Okay, Mom,” Katrina said, as if, Mom, you are such a liar, she thought.
“You better go to sleep now,” her mother said, “we have a big day tomorrow,”
“Okay,” Katrina nodded. She kissed her mother on the forehead and watched her leave the room. Katrina shivered as the darkness of her room hovered over her. She had never felt so alone before.

“Katrina, are the kitchen supplies in?” Mrs. Andres called to her.
“Yes, Mother!” she yelled back. This was it. They were in Gen San. The house her mother had picked was incredibly small. It was small compared to their house in Capian. But she couldn’t help feeling pretty nice. This was their new home and it felt very warm. At least memories of her mother and father arguing and hurting each other didn’t linger in every wall. Katrina heard her mother enter the house. She went over to her. Her mother put the last box down and smiled at Katrina.
“Don’t deny, Kat, this is nice,” her mother said. Katrina laughed.
“Okay, Mom, I won’t. It really is nice,” she added, truthfully. She put an arm around her mother. There is hope for a new start, she thought inwardly and smiled.

“I am so going to kill you, Mom!” Katrina scowled. It was her first day at her new school and she was beginning to get really nervous. Mrs. Andres laughed.
“Kat, cool it. It’s not as if it’s your first day,” she said.
“I hate you, Mom, I really do,” Katrina said, glaring. Mrs. Andres chuckled studying the school.
“It looks nice, Katrina. I think you’ll do well,” she replied. Katrina sighed.
“I hope so. I have to go,” Katrina said climbing out of the car. She kissed her mother on the cheek. “I love you, Mom. I know we’ll be okay,” she added.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” her mother nodded and waved her goodbye.
Katrina watched as the car sped away. She so wished she was back at her old school.
She turned to the school and began walking. Teenagers of her age were all over the grounds, talking, laughing together. She just wanted to disappear. Katrina began to walk faster. Just then, without warning, a blonde guy cut in her path, completely bumping into her. She tried to steady herself, but it was too late. Her knee lost track and balance. She fell down next to the guy.
People around them began staring and started laughing. Katrina wished the earth would open up and eat her. She didn’t need this on her first day. She quickly stood up and brushed herself off.
“You jerk,” she cried, eyes glaring at the guy. The guy looked surprised.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean – ,”
“Shut up and get lost will you?” Katrina interrupted. So much for her first day.
“Don’t get so huffy, I said sorry!” the guy said.
“Sorry? Don’t get your ego messed up. You probably did it on purpose!”
“Well, I really wished I did it on purpose right now!” he exclaimed.
“Jerk,” she muttered under her breath. Without waiting for a reply, she walked away.
“What a – ,” she heard them saying. She didn’t care. She wasn’t about to let any guy or anyone walk over her.

chickenlittle21: I met this guy at school, he was so mean! We bumped into each other the whole day and he and I kept throwing insults at each other. He is so full of ego! Plus, he is such a nerve!
archie101: really? That’s bad. You know, I also had a similar experience today. I met a girl with such attitude. I mean she was so judgemental!
chickenlitte21: wow. We really are soul mates. lol
archie101: yeah. lol, we must be real soul mates.
chickenlitte21: do you believe in all that?
archie101: yeah, why not? I’d be happy to be your soul mate.
chickenlitte21: very sweet. lol, you are such a smooth talker
archie101: I may be, but to be honest, for the 6 months we’ve been chatting? I’ve grown to really like you. That’s not smooth talking okay? I mean it.
chickenlitte21: aww, that’s nice. I like you too.
archie101: it’s getting late here, I might have to sleep soon, and I have school tomorrow. What time is it there?
chickenlitte21: Late too, my clock says 4:22 am; I should be sleeping soon too.
archie101: wait a sec, how come we have the same time?
chickenlitte21: umm, because we just do?
archie101: I thought you lived across the country?
chickenlitte21: I moved, remember? Knock knock, I live in Gen San now
archie101: IN GEN SAN?
chickenlitte21: yeah, what’s with the big letters?
archie101: I live in Gen San
chickenlitte21: you do? Wow, what a coincidence!
archie101: well, this is my lucky day! Can we meet?
chickenlitte21: yeah, it is a lucky day! I’ll be glad to meet up with you
archie101: cool. Meet you tomorrow, in the park?
chickenlitte21: sure. Have to go! Good night!
archie101: goodnight too. Sweet dreams

Katrina clicked off the computer. She couldn’t be more excited.
School was almost like a gift to her the next day. She was so excited.
Katrina raced through the corridors to her final class just as a guy cut in her path way, again. She swerved and nearly crashed into a garbage bin. Students around them burst into laughter. He was the same guy from her first day.
“You’re not going to let me pass peacefully are you?” she said wearily, tapping her foot. The guy looked up at her then at his friends who had deliberately pushed him.
“They did it,” he said coolly.
“You are such a twerp,” she retorted. He held up both hands.
“Hey, I told you, I’m only a victim. Stop being so judgmental,” he said, still with that cool look on his face.
“You are not only a jerk. You are the most arrogant, most disrespectful person ever!” she exclaimed, making a face.
“Real mature, miss, real mature,” the guy commented, still with that irritating cool look on his face. With that, he left with his friends.

Katrina scowled, I am such a dweeb, the guy was right, she thought, sighing as she entered her final class for the day. At least, after this day, she and Archie would finally meet. She and her soul mate. What a relaxing thought.

“Bye, Mom!” she practically yelled, jumping out of the car and ran into the park.
Mrs. Andres looked surprised. What a nice change, she thought.
Katrina looked near the big tree in the middle. A tall guy stood there, his hands in his pockets. He must be Archie, Katrina thought. She crept up behind him.
“Archie101,” she asked uncertainly.
He jumped, startled. He chuckled, still not turning.
“Chicken little?” he said. Katrina laughed as he turned.
She stopped laughing. Her eyes grew wide. Her jaw dropped.
The guy she had fought with in school stood there with the same expression on his face. The same guy she bumped into. The same guy she shared annoyed looks with. The same guy she exchanged insults with.
“You?” she exclaimed.
“You?” he said, “oh my god,”

Three weeks later.
Things have gone well for Katrina. She finally had new friends. Her mother had a stable job. Her father never called to ruin their day. And most of all…
She had Archie.

brennabustamante

Kuya- means elder brother or an elder male relative or an elder male family friend
Tita- aunt
“Hey,” I greeted Lester Freewalls, “happy birthday, kuya,” I told him.
It was what I remember telling him before he left to go on his fishing trip with a local Papuan and Kuya Andrew.
He looked so excited then. They were going on a small speedboat and were going to take a case of beer there with them.
The night passed and we all slept like how we sleep every night. Like nothing happened, like nothing will happen.

“They didn’t come back,” I heard my mother say before I entered the kitchen.
I yawned sleepily and walked in to my mother and Tita Olive who seemed to be talking about a serious matter. Tita Olive was Kuya Lester’s mother. I got a glance at Tita Olive and thought I saw her eyes a bit red.
I decided not to bother them. Grabbing a slice of bread and some cooked ham then started to go back to my room.
“He’s not dead, is he?” I suddenly heard my mother say.
I stopped in dead tracks. What? Who was dead?
I knew eavesdropping on my mother and Tita Olive was not a good practice but I couldn’t help it. Was their conversation about someone dying? If it was, who was it?
“I hope not,” Tita Olive replied followed by some sniffs.
Why was Tita Olive crying?
“He’ll be back, Olive, Lester will be back. He’s a strong person,” I heard my mother say.
Kuya Lester? What was with Kuya Lester?
“Thanks, I hope so. I should go,” Tita Olive said.
Hearing, both women climb off their stools, I quickly tiptoed back to my room.
“Bren,”
I looked up and saw my mother at the door.
“What’s with Kuya Lester, Ma?” I immediately asked her, forgetting I only eavesdropped on them. She didn’t seem to mind and looked as if she expected it.
“Bren, remember when Lester came by yesterday to pick up the case of beer here?”
“Yeah,” I nodded.
“He went on a trip on sea, on a speedboat last night with a local and another Filipino friend,” she continued.
I didn’t see anything wrong with that.
“So?” I said.
“Bren, he didn’t return,” my mother said.
That stopped me. My jaw dropped. My eyes flew open.
“What?” I shrieked.
“Bren, none of them returned. And the boat was seen a kilometer or so away from shore. The boat was overturned. No one seemed to be around the boat,” my mother explained.
“What?” I exclaimed. My ears couldn’t seem to take what she was saying.
“No one was around the boat, Bren, it was empty,” my mother repeated.
“Oh my god! Where are they?” I asked.
My mother shrugged, a sad look on her face.
“I don’t know, sweetheart. But let’s just pray for them, okay?”
I nodded. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t think clear.
Kuya Lester had been a very close friend to our family and he was just a sweet person to ever think something tragic would happen to him.

I sat on the porch, reading. It had been a week now since Kuya Lester had gone missing.
We lived just next to the beach so I could see the waters from where I sat.
Suddenly, I felt a cool breeze. I smiled, because the wind finally blew. I had been waiting for that already for it was quite hot inside the house.
I looked up to the shore. My eyes grew wide.
Kuya Lester was standing on the shore, looking out to the ocean.
“Ma!” I called.
“MA!” I screamed. My mother ran out of the house in a second.
“What, sweetheart? You gave me a heart attack!” she said.
“Kuya Lester’s not missing, Ma, he’s just there!” I said pointing, heaving a sigh.
My mother looked to where I was pointing.
“Where?” she asked.
“There!” I said, pointing still, then turned to look back.
I gasped.
He was gone.
“Where did he go?” I asked my mother.
“I don’t know, sweetheart, I didn’t see anyone,” she told me, softly.
She sighed, and brushed my forehead with her palm.
“Sweetheart, I know you are depressed about your kuya, but don’t do stunts like that. It’s not funny,” she said.
I glared at my mother.
“Ma! I really saw him there! I promise I saw him!” I protested.
“Sweetheart,” she said warning me.
“But Ma,” I tried again. She gave me the look. I stopped.
I watched her walk back into the house. I turned to look again.
For sure, there was nothing there but the waves of the sea running in.
But I had seen him. I know I did!

I watched my brother sleep on the couch. He was such a pig. I smirked.
I turned the electric fan over to me. I knew my brother would be mad but that was why I was born. I was born to be a pain to him.
Suddenly, the fan moved.
I screamed and moved to my brother. He woke up and saw the fan. We moved away from it.
It was moving!
I tried to scream again, only, no sound came out.
The fan rose up above the ground. Then it came back down. It did this for a couple more times.
My brother and I watched, jaws dropped, hearts in our throats and speechless.
I held onto my brother’s arm as tight as I could.
The fan suddenly stopped moving.
We thought it was over and attempted to approach it.
The fan moved again and played with the buttons.
“Please, Kuya,” my brother said softly, “please, rest,”
I looked at him and he nodded.
Tears filled my eyes.
“Kuya Lester, please rest now. We will always love you,” I whispered into the air.
Suddenly, the fan stopped. Everything was calm again.
I blew a kiss into the air.
“Good bye, Kuya,” I said and tears began trailing down my cheek.
My brother nodded and he pulled me over for a hug.

brennabustamante

“Hey baby,” Josh Sutcliffe said planting a kiss on his girlfriend’s forehead.
“Hey Josh,” Mikah Co smiled. She patted the seat beside her and he sat down.
“What’s up?” Josh said gesturing at all the papers Mikah was holding.
“Uh- this? Oh, this is nothing,” Mikah said, blushing.
Josh didn’t see her face turn red. He grinned and looked forward.
“Let’s go out this Saturday,” he suggested, “I really want to see you alone, and we haven’t done that in such a long time, baby.”
Mikah turned away. “Um, Josh, this Saturday? I can’t. I’ve- I’ve got something to do with- with my Mom- uh- yeah, with my Mom,” Mikah said her voice obviously wavering.
Josh scowled and turned away. He didn’t really want to let her see him scowl. But to be honest, he hadn’t seen his girlfriend much these days. The last time he was able to see her alone before this was about 3 weeks ago. That was not a good sign. He did love Mikah, to bits, but it seemed so hard to get with her, recently, he seems to be just a second priority to whatever she was doing. He never bothered much to ask her why; he knew she liked her privacy.
“Josh?” Mikah said in a soft voice.
He turned back to look at her. She was looking at him now, with those big, beautiful green eyes. He couldn’t help getting lost in her eyes. Josh pushed her dark hair from her eyes.
“You look really beautiful today,” he told her.
She smiled and reached up to give him a kiss.
“Thanks,” Josh said, smiling after they pulled away.
“Want me to do it again?” she teased and gave him long, sweet kiss.
“What about another one?” he said softly when they pulled away.
Mikah laughed. “This is not the perfect place to make-out, you know.”
“I know,” Josh said, “I just missed you.”
Mikah smiled, brushing his bangs from his face.
“I missed you too,” Mikah said, “we better get to class, though.” She added.
“Yeah. I’ll walk you,” Josh agreed, a bit disappointed.

Josh sped out of the locker room to the corridor. He ran as quickly as his feet could bring him. He needed to get to Mikah’s class before she had the chance to sneak away again.
“Hey,” he greeted one of Mikah’s friends, panting.
“Hey Josh,” Kate Moriesette said, her eyebrows rising, “What are you doing here?”
“Where’s Mikah?” he asked, still short of breaths.
“Oh, believe me, I really don’t know. Right after class, she ran out and away. I don’t even know if she went home. She didn’t even say a word to us,” Kate said.
“Really?” Josh said, scowling. Great, just great, Josh thought.
“Yeah. You know what? That girl has something going on, I mean, she’s always somewhere, every time I call her she not at home. Every time I go to her house, she’s not at home. And whenever class is done, she just runs out. She seems to have the habit of being late now too,” Kate explained, “I can’t talk to her; she keeps saying she has things to do. I’m really worried now.”
“I know,” Josh said, his voice suddenly wavering.
Kate heard the fear in his voice.
“I’m really sorry, Josh, I don’t know what to say,” she said.
“That’s okay, Kate,” Josh said and without another word, turned and headed for the parking place, to his car. Why was it so hard to get some time with his girlfriend?
Josh slammed his car door close. He was such a wuss. What if Mikah was cheating on him?

“Mikah, what is it with you?” he cried. Mikah didn’t answer. She looked down.
“Mikah, this has been going on for so many weeks now, and I can’t take it! I know you like your privacy and all that, but can’t you have time for me? What is it with you?” Josh went on, his voice getting louder.
Mikah didn’t answer. She just kept on looking at her feet.
“Mikah, answer me, please! I’m having a hard time too! I’m in love with a girl who doesn’t seem to love me as much as I do to her,” Josh said.
Mikah looked up to speak, her green eyes, twinkling bright with fresh tears.
“Tell me, Mikah, tell me if you’ve got someone else! Just don’t let me hanging by a thread,” he pleaded her.
“I’m not cheating on you, Josh,” she mumbled softly, her voice so small and vulnerable.
“Then what is it?” he hissed, more harsh than he had meant it to be.
Mikah looked taken back, but again, she didn’t speak. Tears were starting to run down her cheek.
“Mikah, what is it?” Josh asked his voice calming down.
“It’s nothing,” Mikah finally said, “I’m just doing a lot of things, right now,”
“Bull, Mikah!” he suddenly shouted, “tell the truth, and don’t feed me with your stupid lies!” he was standing now, and people were starting to look.
“It’s nothing, Josh,” Mikah said, again as softly as ever.
“Then this,” he said pointing to each other, “this, is over, Mikah!”
Mikah looked up, tears running down her cheek.
“No, Josh, please don’t leave me,” she said in a stammering voice, as she stood up.
She pulled on his wrist.
Josh turned to her.
“This is over,” he repeated, in a firm voice. With this, he left the grounds.
Mikah broke down. Tears ran down her cheeks. People looked on to watch her but she didn’t care. She just wanted to cry forever. She was running short of breaths but she didn’t care anymore.
“Come on, Mikah,” Kate said, moving over to help her up.
Mikah didn’t budge.
“Leave me alone,” she said. Her breath was starting to come up hard now. She almost couldn’t breathe. Mikah pushed Kate away and ran through the crowd of people. She ran all the way to the park, until she couldn’t run anymore. She stood, trying to catch her breath. She tried desperately to breathe. But no oxygen seemed to enter her lungs. Her world was spinning and her head pounded with pain. Then everything turned black.
“Mikah!” she heard Kate’s voice yell, just before she black out totally and fell to the ground.

“Where am I?” Mikah asked, blinking her eyes to clear her vision.
The familiar walls of the hospital finally came into vision. She turned and saw Kate and her mother by her side. She tried to smile.
“Hey, girl,” Kate greeted her
“You’re in the hospital, honey,” her mother told her.
“How long have I been here?” Mikah said, ignoring the awful pain banging in her head.
“You’ve been asleep for 48 hours, already,” Kate said.
Mikah could see that Kate’s eyes were swollen and red.
“Now you know why I’ve always been gone,” Mikah told Kate, her voice still slightly weak. Kate nodded, sadly.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Mikah?” Kate asked, tears springing to her eyes.
“I didn’t want anyone to know. Especially you or Josh,” Mikah explained.
Memories of the break up with Josh flashed through her mind and she couldn’t help crying again.
“He left me, Mom,” Mikah said, swallowing hard, “Josh left me because of this.”
Mikah’s tears turned into sobs.
“Honey, stop that,” her mother said, “you’re not allowed to cry, remember?”
Suddenly, Mikah’s echocardiogramic monitor beeped and Mikah began to run short of breaths.
Her eyes looked sad and still, as she tried desperately, to calm and watch her breath. It was such agony for her loved ones to look at her suffering like that.
“Oh my god, what’s happening?” Kate cried.
”Call the doctor!” Mikah’s mother yelled and Kate ran out in search for a doctor.
“Honey, honey, relax, you can’t leave us now, you just can’t!” her mother cried, begging at her side. A doctor ran into the room and started to check her. Flocks of nurses followed and a few came to take both Kate and her mother out.
Both watched outside the door, as Mikah suffered inside.
They watched as the doctor desperately tried to keep her alive.
“Mrs. Co,” the doctor said, a sad look in his eyes.
“Doctor, tell me Mikah is safe. Please, tell me,” Mrs. Co pleaded.
“Mrs. Co, she’s not safe. And you know that. I’m really very sorry. There’s nothing we can do anymore. The cancer cells have spread throughout her body and her red platelets is continuing to lessen its presence. She may live, with a miracle, but other than that, her life span is shorter than a week. It can even be shorter than a day,” the doctor explained, “I’m really sorry, Mrs. Co,”
Mrs. Co stood, jaws dropped, eyes swollen and tears running down her face.
She saw Josh coming into the corner.
Mrs. Co couldn’t help it. She ran to him and started punching his chest.
“She’s suffering! Can’t you see? She’s dying and you’re the one to blame!” she yelled at Josh’s face.
Josh’s eyes filled with tears as he pulled Mikah’s mother into a hug despite her fighting back.
“I didn’t know,” he whispered, as Mrs. Co finally resigned and cried into his chest.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered again. Kate pulled Mrs. Co away from him and let him enter Mikah’s room by himself.
Josh pushed the door open, slowly. His knees were weak and he couldn’t stand steadily.
Her eyes flew open and she saw him. Filling with tears, she looked at him through her eyes filled with love.
“I’m sorry,” was all Josh could say. He approached her bedside and took her hand.
She had never seen him cry. Ever.
“I’m so sorry,” Josh repeated. He held her hand close to his cheek and kissed it many times. Mikah swallowed hard.
“I’m sorry too, baby,” she whispered.
Josh sat beside her and pulled her into his arms. He held her like he had never before. He held her to his heart.
“I love you so much,” he whispered, tears running down his cheeks.
Mikah smiled.
“I love you too, baby,” she replied and he reached down to kiss her.
He kissed her with so much love that he had failed to show. The love that he had always had for since the day the first met. The love that continued to grow, as each day passes by. The love that he chose to forget just because he was selfish.
“Don’t ever give up, baby,” Mikah whispered, “I won’t be around to watch you. But I’ll always be looking down on you.”
He put a finger to her lips.
“No,” he said, “You’re not going to leave me, you’re not right, tell me you love me and you won’t leave me, ever,” he demanded.
“I love you and I won’t ever leave you. So go on with your life after me. Never lose hope. And when you do, I’ll always be by your side,” Mikah continued, her voice dying.
Then the echocardiogramic monitor began to beep again.
“I think that’s my call,” she whispered and he shook his head.
“No, I’m going to call a doctor!” he cried, his eyes bright with tears.
“No, baby, just call Kate and my mother,” Mikah pleaded.
Josh called Mrs. Co and Kate in.
“Mom, I love you so much,” Mikah said and Mrs. Co’s eyes filled with tears. She held on tight to her hand.
“Thank you so much, Kate,” Mikah said looking at her best friend.
Kate leaned over to give her a hug.
“Josh, I love you so much,” Mikah said finally and both shared a long, sweet and loving kiss.
“I love you too,” Josh whispered and gave her his last kiss.
Mikah’s eyes began to drop.
“NO!” Josh cried and hugged her, “No, Mikah!”
Mikah’s fingers, one by one, let go of her mother’s hand. Her echocardiogramic monitor beeped faster, and the curved high lines were slowing down to a line.
Mikah took her last breath. With a last smile, she left.

brennabustamante