. His phone was always silent, and he was not checking it that much. He tried to make a return call to Elida

the door. His brow raised in surprise when he saw Elida standing

ed. His sister appeared wasted

rm as if getting strength

e flight going to the Philippines right now.”

?” he asked and lo

dn’t tell

swer his calls. What

ion, he knew something was not right. Elida never l

e’s in a coma right now.” H

sat beside Elid

ry. I don’t want to think of any b

Great, his wife divorced him, and now his mother

There was an urg

ge.” He stood up and hurr

tched his sister bury her face

ila to Naga. They did not mind the jet lag and the exhaustion from the long tr

h of them were close to their mother. They would stay here in the Philippines ne

ir father cradling the hand of his unconscious beloved wife. Eleand’s eyes widened in awe and admiration at t

back.” Elida hurriedly wa

in the direction of his other siblings, Erone and

e said, almost in a murmur, “I guess she tried

of words to say. He sauntered to his l

you’ll be happy where you

ghtly embracing their deceased mother. Their fat

about their father’s failing health. Eleand grew up watching how their dad loved their mom. She was his only queen. He alw

Eleand was sure she was the lady for him when he foun

er’s burial. Elida tagged along even after Eleand shooed her many times. Thou

is sister about family matters. They planned to stay several days in the Phil

ne knew how long they could stay alive. Time would come; they would leave this world,

f positive things when his mother passe

r a couple of drinks, which he gladly obliged. He drank the most expensive wine from

heir parents. They were at the roof deck, leaning on the horizontal rails. The f

er brand of alcohol after

us if she is here.” Elida giggled and took another sip, “I finally found acceptance on wh

bitterly.

andy is dating a famous Hollywood model?” Elid

l the alcohol from

It was a rumor I read earlier online, stating

Brandy lied to him. She filed for a divorce because of an

the moon, “Oh, look! There it is—super blood blue mo

lowly turning reddish, and the ea

wolf’s cry. They had been drinking for hours now. He could feel the spirit of alc

her attention to the vibrating phone from her pocket

ened while listening to the other line and

n. She was an excellent actress. But he could see her face tur

Elida nearly lost her balance after the line wen

ed he misheard his sister. But judging by

ol just left his body. They were here to move on from thei

here this time. The roads are dangerous at nighttime. No street lights. Sharp curves are everywhere

ed to see their father. They had to be at the hospital soon because no one knew what the outcome would be. Like what happened to

. You’re drunk!” Eli

r,” he even winked. He scurried down from the roof

nd, no! Don’t do this, please. It’s dangerous! And for heav

eand put on his black leather jacket and went to the garage. He was already in th

arly in the morning. It’s almost midnight.” She looked at h

we just going to wait until something ba

!” Her eyes wel

us, but his mind wandered about their father’s cur

for the seat belt. They forgot to put it on. Eleand

lida kept irritating him, and it

vel time was over three hours before they could reach the h

trol the steering wheel. The pickup truck fell into the dark chasm and rolled several time

hrew Elida outside the vehicle. She had

Elida fell because e