CHAPTER 8

AMETHYST'S POV

I immediately approached Earl's coffin and I couldn't stop my tears from falling. I felt an arm hug me and I turned to see who was it and it was Aunt Jasmine and we were both crying in front of Earl's coffin.


"T-the man who l-loved m-me s-so much is n-now g-gone," I said with difficulty as we let go of the hug but auntie is still holding my arm.
Auntie was just nodding at me while her tears are also flowing.
I can't help it but to cry on her shoulder.

A moment later, when I calm a little, she approached me to sit down first.
Auntie was holding my back as we both looked at Earl's coffin.

"Here, hija, drink first." Earl's dad held me by the shoulder as he handed me a glass of water.

"Thank you, uncle," I said in a low voice and I took the glass of water. I almost drank all the water as I feel exhausted and weak from crying.

"It's very hard that he's now gone," aunt said to me as she still stared at the coffin. Earl's coffin was almost right next to us.

"So true," I agreed.

"He's a son who is very understanding." Auntie seems like remembering everything Earl did when he was still alive.

"He even gave up his studies just to help us," she added. I can hear some guilt from the voice of auntie.
Earl only did his 1st year of college and then he didn't go to his second year. Unlike me, I don't really go to college.

"He said it was difficult for him to work and study at the same time, so he decided to just work," aunt continued and a single tear fell from her left eye.

I sighed and shift my gaze. "I can say his love is true. He is very caring and sweet," I said while just looking at Earl's coffin. I can't help it but to smile bitterly for what happened to him--- to us.

Aunt Jasmine and I talked a lot more about Earl. Fun and sad stories. Even the crazy thing's Earl did then that I didn't know was revealed now.

We didn't notice the time and it turned out that it was already 1 am!
Maybe we did so enjoy our talking.
If my mom didn't tell us that we need to go home, maybe auntie and I will be still talking and keep telling our stories of Earl.


Also, uncle Arnaldo has still work tomorrow and then Crystal and Allen will go to school that's why they now need to sleep as it is now very late.

But I told them that I just wanna stay here, I want to be at Earl's side for the his night and they understand me.

Aunt Jasmine and I just delivered my family to where my uncle's jeepney was parked.

After they left, we went inside again.

Earl's dad please aunt to sleep first because he knew she was tired. I also presented to look after Earl's funeral.

I was just next to Earl's coffin and I often stood up to look at Earl's face.
I didn't do anything but to talk to Earl on my mind or sometimes I just randomly remembers what we've been through when he was living.

At five o'clock in the morning I went home first to sleep and get ready somehow for later.

---
It's time we take Earl to his final destination. With our heavy hearts and in tears, we carried him to the cemetery with some co-workers and friends of Earl and me. As well as some of their relatives and aunt even fainted due to excessive crying when it's time for Earl to get burry. Even me, my heart was so broken.


In the distance I saw a familiar man looking at us, the peoples here didn't recognize him because they didn't know him and I'm sure they didn't see him.

"Why is he here?" I mumbled.

There are fewer and fewer people because they are leaving. Mama also approached me to leave but I said I still want to be here for a moment and they agreed.

Some relatives of Earl and I stayed here for almost an hour more.

"'Aren't you going home yet, hija?" aunt Jasmine asked me when she reaches me.

"Maybe not yet, auntie," I answered while shaking my head.

"Oh okay, I'm sorry and we have a lot to take care of at home. We'll leave first," aunt Jas said sincerely.

I also wish I could stay here for half an hour more. Also, I can go home by myself so this is just fine.

"All right. That's fine, auntie, no problem." I smiled sparingly and she also smiled. A moment later, they left.

After a few minutes after auntie Jas left, I went to the man who had been watching earlier. I don't know if he's still there but maybe.
When I approached his hiding place, he was still here.

"Why are you here?" I coldly ask Aivan. I even don't look at him.
Yes, Aivan was the one watching earlier and I don't know why he's still here until now.

“8:00 pm sharp at the back of the Montecillo hotel,” he told me instead of answering my question.

"What?!" I annoyingly exclaimed.

"That's all," he said to me and turned around then walked away.

"Are you freaking serious ?!" I shouted at him but he didn't look at me and just kept walking. I don't want to chase him.

"What if I don't go?!" I shouted that made him stop from walking. But he still didn't look at me, instead he get something from his pocket. My eyes widened as he waved his gun at me.

"This gun has bullets that are good for five,"

"Dang it!" That man is crazy! He's literally insane!

After that, he immediately left.

I just went back to Earl's grave first. I want to apologize for what I have done and what more can I be do.

"I will never ever forget you." I couldn’t stop a few tears from falling in my eyes.

"Sorry, goodbye. Thank you to all the things you done to me." For the last time I caressed his tombstone. Even though I was crying there was a smile on my lips because there was a wind that seemed to and I felt it hugged me.


Smile of gratitude, longing and letting go.

I went home after a few more minutes.

When I got home I immediately went into our room and checked the time.
"6:36 pm," I whispered.
"Crystal, wake me up at 7:30, please," I said to my sister who was also in the room while doing her assignment.

"All right, sis." I just didn't answer her and let myself be carried away by drowsiness and at least feel at peace for a moment.

---
"Sis, sis, it's already 7:30." I woke up when someone tapped me on the cheek. I opened my eyes and I saw it's Crystal.

"All right thanks, Tal." I got up and went out of the room to tidy up at least a little bit.

Am I really going to see that crazy guy?

I just wore an over sized white shirt with a 'Bo$$' design on its front and just a shorts. My shirt is up to half of my legs and my shorts are above my knees. I'm not in the mood to get dressed and one more thing maybe when I get dressed, mama will wonder where I'm going.


"Mom, I'm just going somewhere," I said goodbye to mom as she washed the dishes in the sink.

"Where are you going?" She stopped cleaning and then looked back at me. I thought mama wouldn't ask me.

"I'm going to see Bella," I lied.

"Oh, okay, be careful the two of you. Don't get home too late," mama reminded me.

"Yes, mom." That was all and then I left our house.

I rode a cab and go to the Montecillo hotel.

What does that jerk want?



/W.W/