CHAPTER 1—Her Relatives

Rain’s Point of View

WHILE we were on our way, I couldn’t sleep. We had been on the road to Villa Floris in Phoenix, Arizona for over five hours. My father, Elmer, was driving the car we brought while mommy was next to daddy.

The light on the road is bright, so I can see the scenery somehow. As entertaining as they were to look at, I couldn’t help but enjoy what I was seeing. Because my chest is heavy and my heart is sad. I’m still shocked because of what happened to my Granny Aitana. She is only sixty-eight years old and, based on what my father tells me, she is still strong and will not succumb to a serious illness.

“Rain, I’m sorry if I startled you.” Dad’s voice broke a little.

To be honest, I was really surprised. I never expected my granny’s life to end up like that. What I know is that she is still strong. We even talked last week because I told her about my new achievement at work. It was very painful because besides mommy, Granny was my only ally. Especially during the times when mommy and I had a hard time getting along with dad’s siblings.

“Elmer, don’t worry. Your son will also understand what is happening,” said mommy, who still held daddy’s arm.

I’m just maddened by what I hear and see. I once again focused my attention on the outside of the window so that, somehow, it distracted my mind from what was happening. I put the earplug that was resting on my thigh back into my ears. I just closed my eyes when I heard soft music on the cellphone. I didn’t realize that sleep was slowly engulfing me.

My spirit woke up when I heard screams. My eye was still watering, so I rubbed it a little. The car had stopped at a familiar place. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

I removed the earplugs and put the cellphone in the sling bag I was carrying. Before going down, I fixed the jeans, pants and pink t-shirts I was wearing. I even combed my naturally long black hair with just my fingers.

Someone knocked on the car window, causing me to look back. It turned out to be my daddy, and he was smiling. He motioned for me to get down, but I didn’t budge. I don’t know if I can set foot in this place after what happened to us before. Daddy went around to the other side of the car and opened the door. He carried my mommy and sat her in the wheelchair that we also brought.

A few moments passed before I decided to get out of the car. Fresh air immediately greeted my skin when I got out of the car. It feels fresh and even though I’m in the sun, it’s not that hot on the skin. My hair strands are blown away.

My eyes automatically fell on a pathway where I knew where it was going. I used to stay there every time my mom and I were here—the Floris garden, which was really my favorite area with Granny.

I frowned when I noticed a man walking in the garden. He was wearing jeans that were full of dirt; he was wearing a shirt that was also obviously dirty. He is wearing gloves and holding some flowers. It’s sweaty but still handsome and there’s no denying that.

Our eyes met, so I immediately looked away because I suddenly felt nervous and I didn’t know why.

“Is this Rain Ember? What a beautiful lady, right?” asked a woman who looked like my father. Because I can’t remember what my daddy’s relatives look like here. It’s been a few years, so I’ve forgotten their faces.

“Yes, Merceditas,” dad said, smiling at his older sister.

“How old is she now?”

“She’s twenty-five.”

She smiled at me, but I remained emotionless and just exchanged glances with them. I noticed a group of young women and young men staring at where we were now. They are on the veranda of a large mansion and seem to be laughing.

I looked at them without emotion, but they still waved at me. I was simply surprised, but I didn’t make it obvious that I was curious about them. I didn’t pay attention to them. I took a deep breath before turning to my mother. I held her shoulder and softly whispered, “Mom, I’m tired.”

“Ah okay. Wait, let me introduce you first. She is your Auntie Merceditas. Your Daddy’s oldest sister. Their other siblings are not here.” Catherine turned to her sister-in-law. “Mercy, where are Eliseo and Ericka?”

Sadness appeared on her face. “They’re at the f-funerary and fixing m-mom,” her voice broke when she mentioned my granny.

My mom and I looked at each other as the siblings hugged each other and cried silently to each other. The sight was so heavy on my chest that I turned slightly so that I could not witness them. I let out my breath.

A few moments later, my father nodded and Auntie Merceditas spoke, “c-come in first and eat breakfast. Later, the service will come with mom.”

I held on to the back of mommy’s wheelchair while going up the enormous hall of the mansion. I accidentally let go of mommy, that’s why I stopped walking. I looked around with all my eyes. The area covered by Villa Floris is large and wide. From where I stand, I can see the coconut trees and mangoes, but even though Villa Floris has many beautiful spots, there is only one favorite, and that is the vast garden full of flowers. They are different types. For me, nothing compares to the garden because that’s where Granny and I always went when I was young.

“Ember, come on,” said my mother. Only then did I realize that they had left me. I immediately walked quickly and approached mommy. I held her hand for a moment and pushed her wheelchair myself even though daddy was there.