CHAPTER 39: The Wake

KATE’s P.O.V.

Dad’s death was too sudden, to the point that we didn’t... I didn’t got a chance to bid my final goodbyes to him. Mom and I are still grieving right now, but we chose to be tough just like how we always does.

“Mom... I’m sorry...” I suddenly burst out into tears as Mom helped me fix my hair in front of the mirror.

I could see how hard she tried to suppressed her tears by looking at her reflection in the mirror.

“It’s not your fault, sweetie. It’s not anyone’s. It’s just happened... We didn’t know how much time we left with him...”

“I’m sorry if I didn’t come home right away. I should have been here... I should’ve been with you...”

“Shhh... I’m sure your Dad is happy now wherever he is... Now that he finally saw you come home. Don’t worry, Kate. We can do this. We are stronger together. Now come, let us show to those people how strong we are... We are doing this for your Dad.”

I nodded, trying to act tough. It’s my Dad’s first night in the funeral, and we organize a wake for all of his close friends and family members. We need to do this, for Dad. We should at least gave him a peaceful wake before he finally go and leave us all alone to rest in peace.

“I’m going downstairs now, Kate. Some of your Dad’s colleagues were already here. Please come down as soon as possible, okay?” Mom reminded me.

“S-sure, Mom,” I stated, my voice is still trembling.

She kissed my forehead before leaving the room. We rented a room for two near the chapel downstairs for us to have a better privacy. Also, my Mom and I needs this place every time that the two of us are suddenly going to break down and cry. This place is a very useful one, and I’ve never been so thankful for having a small room like this in my whole life.

I took a deep breath, covering my eyebags with a light make-up. I don’t want them to saw my face in this state. Right after I finished fixing up myself, I sighed, before standing up to climbed downstairs. As I reached the last step of the stairs, I saw some familiar faces... Faces that I’ve never seen in the past five years.

Mom is talking to Mr. Herrera, and beside him are Darren and Claire. I don’t want to show them my vulnerable side so I decided to tried to looked tough in front of them.

“Kate’s here...” Mom stated, motioning them to come towards me.

Looks like she finally accepted the fact that Darren and Claire wouldn’t be ruin just by her own daughter. Thankfully, my Mom is living in peace now and out of guilt.

“Kate... It’s Darren and Claire...”

I looked at them, before flashing a tight smile. When my eyes landed on Mr. Herrera, I flashed a real one, remembering how he suffered in front of me as soon as he found out the melancholic news about my Dad.

“K-Kate...” Claire tried to say something but she failed.

“I’m very sorry for your lost, Kate,” Darren stated.

I nodded, before walking away from them. I gone towards where my Dad’s coffin is, looking down at him while suppressing my tears. I’m sure that if he’s here and still alive right now, he wanted me to finally reconcile with Darren and Claire. But I don’t know how. I think I wouldn’t be able to do that someday.

“Hi, lady...”

I looked down, seeing a little child staring up at me. I smiled at her, my heart is almost melting at her sweet face. I kneel down, meeting her gaze face to face. I don’t want to make this hard for her. And also, I wanted to hear what she’s going to tell me. For the first time in my life, I wanted to listen... And the funny thing is it’s from a kid. Maybe she’s just five or four but she looked so smart so I think it’s just fine.

“Hey there...” I greeted her back.

“Are you crying?” she asked, her voice is full of innocence and curiosity.

“Nope, I’m not.” But a bead of tear betrayed me and suddenly escaped out of my eyes.

She surprisingly reached for my face, and then wiped that tear away.

“There, it’s gone now...” she stated, only making me chuckled.

“What’s your name?” I asked, curious to find out who she is.

“Cloey... How about you, lady? What is your name?” she asked back.

I smiled to myself, thinking how lucky I am to met this kid. Cloey... I like her name. In fact, I love her whole personality. I don’t know how fast she gets my heart by just talking to me in a few minutes.

“I’m Kate... Nice to meet you, Cloey...” I reached for her hands to shake it.

It was too small, but it felt so nice and warm. Her hands are pretty much like the size of a toddler’s, and it only lead me to become more attached to her.

“Wow. My first handshake...” She looked at her hand in amusement, before looking at me with a cute smile plastered upon her face.

“Thank you for making me feel happy, Cloey...”

“Wait!” she stopped, raising her palms in front of my face.

She looked so cute! I wanted to grabbed her and take her home with me and I also wanted to hug her tightly. She looked so innocent and beautiful. Her deep blue eyes is making me drown in her charm each moment that’s passing by. I laughed at her reaction, before she continued what she’s saying earlier.

“I remembered something... Your name is Kate, right?” she asked again and I nodded. “Mommy told me that I have an aunt named Kate... She also told me that my aunt is a very brave and kind person. My aunt really helped her a lot through her bad times... Are you my aunt?” she asked, hopefully.

My heart ached in pain and guilt. I looked up to where Claire is, looking like she’s worried and searching for something... Maybe... This child was hers and Darren’s. Why haven’t I thought about that earlier? Surely, after five years, they already have an offspring.

“Maybe... Who’s your Mommy, Cloey?” I asked her curiously.

Before she could answered, we heard a familiar voice. It was my old bestfriend, repeating the name of this little girl over and over again.

“Cloey? Cloey!” Claire run towards our direction and she looked so stunned seeing her daughter talking to me.

“Claire...” I blankly stated.

She just smiled at me before kneeling down to lift her daughter up. I knew it. Cloey is her daughter. I should’ve thought about that earlier seeing the eyes of this child reflecting Darren’s.

“Lady, this is my Mommy...” Cloey stated, putting her arms around Claire’s neck. I was about to say something when she continued talking. “Mommy, her name is Kate... Is she my aunt you’re telling me about?”

Claire looked so dumbfounded and nervous at the same time. I didn’t want to assume, but I think she doesn’t know anyone else named Kate except of me. She nodded, biting her lower lip.

“Wow! I finally met her!” Cloey clapped her hands and I just smiled at her.

“Go to your Daddy now, Cloey. Kate and I have something to talk to about.”

Cloey nodded, before Claire brought her down. She cutely ran towards Darren, and I smiled at her every movements.

“Kate... Thank you for excluding my daughter from all of this... And... I’m very sorry for your lost.”

I wanted to say something or maybe apologize as well, right after I remembered everything that I’ve done to her and to Darren as well. But I couldn’t find my tongue. The next thing I knew, Claire is just nodding to herself because I couldn’t say any words.

“I understand, Kate. If you’re not yet ready to talk about everything, it’s fine. I’ll wait for that day to come... The day when you could finally forgive me for everything that I did to you back then,” she stated, before walking away.

When she was finally out of my sight, I mentally slapped myself, thinking about the words coming from her. Me? Forgive her? But she didn’t do anything wrong to me... I should be the one apologizing to her and to Darren as well. I almost ruined their relationship.

I looked up, trying to find their family for me to finally give my never ending apologies. But they are already out of my sight. Instead of seeing Claire nor Darren, I saw someone that I didn’t expect to come here tonight... Someone that my heart is longing for until now. I finally saw his face again after five years. There, I saw Elijah Ramirez standing by the entrance of the chapel while holding a piece of white rose.