Chapter 5

I feel like I have been poured by a bucket of cold water with plenty of ice in it when I heard the man in a black suit went to us and delivered the news. I already know what will happen, but I can’t fully process it. I can’t accept the fact that it’s their end.

“Kalia, you have to rest-”

“How can I rest with this situation, Chly?!” I asked, frustrated. Because of too much anger, I even began to show my anger to Chly, which I immediately regret.

He nodded slowly and smiled bitterly. I felt guilty for raising my voice at him. It’s not me who just lost my parents. He also lost his parents, but instead of focusing and preparing his parents’ funeral, he is here on my side. And it makes my guilt rose more.

“Leave me here, Chly. I can handle myself,” I said as I stood up. Before I could even step to go away, he immediately held my wrist. When I looked at him, I saw him shook his head. “What?”

“I won’t leave you,” he said with finality in his voice.

I sighed. “You have to take care of your parents. I will take care of my parents’ funeral too,” I said.

“I… I will come with you…”

“Chly, you have to-”

“Please, Kali, just let me be with you,” I heard the hard supplication in his voice that I can’t do anything but to heaved a sigh.

“How about you parents?” I asked.

“Our… our men will take care of it.”

“Don’t you want to help?”

He just shook his head.

I can’t do anything, but to let him. What I said earlier was a lie. I can’t look, nor visit my parents at this time. I still couldn’t accept it and I want to be away from the things that remind me of it, however, Chly is an exception.

We went to the nearest convenience store and eat some ice cream as if nothing just happened… as if we didn’t lose our parents tonight. We spend time together as if tonight is just a normal night, and not a painful night.

I looked at Chly as he is busy licking his coned ice cream, and at this moment, I was able to see through him. He is so transparent that I can see how hurt he is, that how hard he is trying to be brave in front of me.

I suddenly remember that today is December 1, 8 days away from his birthday. It’s already his birth month, but his parents were taken away. I know he is expecting to celebrate it with them. He may not have a strong bond with his parents, but I know he is looking forward for his birthday.

I already spent a lot of good times with my parents. They showed me love and appreciation. While Chly, on the other hand, I know that he hasn’t bonded with them enough. And it feels unfair because they were already taken away.

The only help I could give to Chly is comfort. Good thing that he lets me do it. I sometimes go to their house to visit his parents and in some times, he’s the one who goes to our house to visit my parents.

Mr and Mrs. Finregan may be one of the busy people, but I was still able to know them. They are wonderful, kind, humble, and loving persons. And it makes me question… how could people hate them? How could people manage to kill someone like them?

Maybe the famous line is right. Those who are kind are taken away early than people opposite to them. Because people who are cruel, mean, and unloving people are still given a chance to change, while people who are kind doesn’t have to change anything.

“Condolence, hija,” a visitor said before coming inside the house. I just nodded and smiled on her.

Even though I am excused from school, I still decided to join classes because the exam is few days away, and if I say few, like really few. Though I can take a special exam, I chose to take it regularly because I don’t want to be left behind and get piles of works as another quarter will start.

Many people asks if I can manage it and all I could do is to chuckle with their questions. I am Kalia and there’s nothing I can’t manage.

“Chly!” I immediately went towards the gate to welcome him. He is not alone, as always. Behind him are three men in suits - his body guards. Since the incident, he never went to places alone. He always has body guards tailing him. He is tightly secured before, but he is more secured now.

“Kali!” he greeted with a warm smile and hugged me.

My life right now is at chaos, and I rarely have smile on my lips, but whenever Chly is aroud, I can’t feel anything but peace. I don’t know why.

Tia and Val welcomed them too and we went to the dining area.

“When is your exam?” Chly asked.

“On Thursday and Friday.”

“Thursday…” he repeated.

“Yes, it’s your birthday!” I excitedly said. “What’s your plan for that day?”

He just showed me a small smile and shrugged his shoulder. “I don’t know. Maybe I will be busy in school on that day,” he answered and sipped on his coffee.

“Won’t you celebrate it?”

“I would like to, but it’s your exam day so maybe we will just reschedule it on the other day,” he said that made my heart jump.

Is he low-key saying that he will celebrate his birthday with me?

Minutes later, a man in suit entered the dining area and called him. Chly excused himself and talked to the man. When they finished talking, he went back to me and said good bye. He said that it he has to go. It felt weird because he usually leaves 11 on the evening or sometimes, 12 in the midnight.

For the next days, he didn’t visit. His parents have been buried so I don’t visit there anymore. It’s also our exam week so I just focused on reviewing our topics. Attending classes for the past days really helped a lot. I did not encounter troubles in answering the questions.

“Kali, let’s have our lunch in the newly opened restaurant near the school!” Brei suggested as we both walk towards the kiosk where Gia and Val are waiting.

I just nodded. She talked again about the exam when she heard nothing from me. I still remained silent and kept on listening. I sometimes laugh when she tells a funny story and will answer when she’ll ask.

Soon as we reached the kiosk where our friends are waiting, Gia immediately stood up and went near us. She then hugged me and I don’t know what to react. It feels random and sudden. Gia doesn’t usually hug me or anyone in our circle and it feels weird to be hugged by her right now.

“Do you have something to do later?” Gia asked me.

I paused a bit and think of something. Now I just realized that today is Chly’s birthday! We did not see each other after that night when he last visited and I somehow miss him. He also had a great help why I am able to take my test smoothly. He helped me too.

“I am doing something,” I answered. “Why?”

“I am planning to treat you all,” she answered with her small voice. “But, since you’re going to do something, maybe we’ll just reschedule it.”

“Don’t reschedule it. It’s okay if I can’t come,” I immediately said so I wouldn’t ruin her plan, but she refused. Our friends also agreed so we coincided with it.

After our afternoon exam session, I immediately went home and baked for some cakes and cookies. When I finished it, I ask for my Tia’s permission if I could go to Chly’s house to greet him a happy birthday and to also send these to him. She immediately agreed and even drove me towards there.

“Is he your boyfriend, hija?” Tia suddenly asked in the middle of driving that caused me to turn to her fast like a lightning.

“No, Tia,” I answered right away. She just laughed with my way of answering and asked why I sound too defensive.

When we reached Chly’s house, weird feeling occupied me. Their house looks and feels odd. Like something is wrong and doesn’t seem like the usual.

“Why does this look empty?” Tia asked, curiosity and confusion is visible on her face.

I am also thinking the same, but also thinking that their house is huge and people are doing their duties on different parts of the mansion.

We waited and remained looking at their house for few minutes until the gate opened and a white, newly washed car went out of it. Tia slide the window down and so as the driver of the white car.

“Is Chly Finregan there?” Tia asked and I leaned near to listen.

“He already left three days ago and went to US,” the driver said and lift up the window again and then drove away.

My mouth opened on its own. I remained silent as I look at the cake and cookies I just baked. I guess this will end up in my own stomach? I sighed and decided to call him. I picked up my phone and visited his social media accounts, but all are deactivated.  I even tried to contact him, but to no avail. I then realized that he went to US and is probably using different number.

When we reached home, I let Val and Tia eat the cake and cookies. I went inside my room and change.

He left. He went to US, but why didn’t he tell me? He can easily find me or even contact me. Why didn’t he said good bye and just left? It’s just two words, it’s not that hard! I thought we’re friends? And friends should let each other know about something important, right? Or maybe I am just the one who’s thinking that we’re friends? That maybe he doesn’t feel the same way?

I sat on my bed, feeling heavy as tears are starting to form in my eyes. Why did he leave without saying good bye? How can he leave the Philippines without letting someone who cares about him know?

Why did he leave without even contacting or seeing me to bid a proper good bye?