[DIALOGUE]

< CEMETERY. AFTERNOON. >

The area was quiet when they arrived, as it usually was.

Evie kneeled down beside her mother's tombstone.

Evie
Hi, Ma! Jachin si here. Siya 'yong nakwento ko dati.

She looked up to Jachin and then tapped the grass beside her.

Evie
Come sit with me.

Umupo si Jachin at panandaliang tumitig sa tombstone.

Jachin
Hi po, tita. 'Di po yata ako ine-expect n'yo para kay Evie. . . pero wala na po kayong choice.

Tumawa si Evie and lightly slapped his arm.

Evie
See, ma? He always teases me. Remember I told you he locked me up sa jail booth?

Jachin
Tita, hindi 'yon totoo.

Evie
It is!

Jachin
Nagbibiruan lang kami and gusto ko lang makita reaksyon niya no'n, tita.

Sandali silang natahimik.

Evie
But he's very important to me now, ma. I hope it's okay with you.

Jachin glanced at Evie and his eyes immediately softened when he saw the happiness in her eyes.

Despite what she had lost.

Evie
We're going to celebrate my birthday, ma. But first, ito, some of your favorites.

Evie pulled some snacks from her bag and laid it on the tombstone.

Evie
Mama loved snacks. I got that from her. Palagi kaming may stock before sa bahay kahit bawal.

Jachin
Magdala tayo palagi 'pag bibisita tayo. And bisita tayo every month kung gusto mo. Sasamahan kita.

Evie
Really? But you might be busy.

Jachin shook his head, his hand reaching for hers, so that he could hold it.

Jachin
I'll make time. Gusto ko rin magkwento kay Tita.

Evie
She would've loved to meet your mom, you know?

Jachin
Naku! Marites 'yon, tita. Lahat ng chismis sa amin, alam niya at ike-kwento niya 'yon sa 'yo panigurado.

Evie
Jachin! Sinisiraan mo mama mo.

Jachin
Ay hindi 'yon paninira, bub. Totoo 'yon. Isang labas lang no'n kada linggo, alam na niya lahat ng chismis for that week.

Evie
Mama is a bit reserved so she will enjoy the chismis.

Jachin
A little bit like you?

Evie nodded.

Evie
People told me that I'm so much like her. And I love that. At least I exist as I reminder of the life she lived.

Jachin squeezed her hand tighter.

Jachin
May picture ka ba niya?

Evie's eyes sparkled.

Evie
Oh, I have! Wait, it's inside my wallet—

Her hand froze from inside her bag when she realized something.

Jachin
What?

Evie
Oh, uhm, wala pala.

Jachin
Sabi mo nasa wallet?

Evie
Yes, but. . .

Evie winced.

Evie
Promise me, hindi mo 'ko aasarin.

Hindi maintindihan ni Jachin pero tumango na lang siya.

Jachin
Promise, bub.

Evie pulled her wallet out and opened it, and then she winced again when Jachin laughed.

She had a photo of him, something she grabbed on his IG and had it printed, along with her mom's photo.

Sumimangot ito sa naging reaksyon ni Jachin and he had to cover his smile with his fist.

Jachin
Bub naman. Bakit naman ako nandyan?

Evie
Well, I had a crush on you, okay?! It's not like hindi mo alam!

Jachin
Tita, oh. 'Yong anak n'yo po. Ganyan ang ginagawa.

Evie
Bub!

Kinurot na siya nito sa binti.

Jachin
Okay, okay, hindi na. 'Di na kita aasarin, bub.

Even as he was saying it, nakangiti pa rin siya.

Jachin
Pwede bang next, picture na natin?

Evie
No.

Jachin
Bub. Buuuuuuub. Sorry na, hindi na kita tatawanan.

Evie
You promised hindi ka mang-aasar.

Tumawa ulit si Jachin.

He leaned closer to her so thst he could snake his arm around her waist.

Jachin
Natawa lang ako sa gulat. Hindi ko naman inexpect na mukha ko makikita ko, 'di ba? And promise, ang cute mo lang talaga. Kaya please? Next na picture, tayong dalawa na.

Jachin
I want to put one on my wallet too. . .

Evie squinted her eyes on him, but eventually nodded.

Jachin
And bub, kung gusto mo ng picture ko, just ask me. Gusto mo ba 'yong naka-suit akong sinend ko sa 'yo?

Jachin bursted out laughing again that his stomach was already hurting.

Evie
Jachin!

Evie
Look, ma. Lagi niya akong inaasar.

Jachin
Ang cute lang niya kasi, tita.

He leaned closer to Evie to look at the picture.

Jachin
You look like her.

Evie
We have the same eyes and face shape.

Jachin
And dimples. Wow, you do really look like her.

Jachin reached for Evie's cheek and gave it a soft squeeze.

Jachin
D'yan mo ako nakuha. Sa ngiti at mata mo. I'm glad it was from your mom.

Evie smiled and leaned in his touch.

They stayed there for a couple of minutes, with Jachin just talking to her mom about their relationship.

Despite not getting any reply.

Evie
Ma, we have to go. Ba-byahe pa kami ni Jachin sa malayo. I'll. . . I'll enjoy today with him, even without you.

Evie
I would have loved for you to be here, though.

Evie kneeled on the ground once again to gently touch the tombstone that was now full of snacks.

Jachin stood by her side and waited until she was ready to go.

Jachin
Ito susi ng sasakyan, bub.

Evie frowned.

Evie
Huh?

Jachin
Pwedeng. . . pwede mauna ka na?

Jachin
May sasabihin lang ako kay Tita.

Evie's eyes softened and then she nodded.

Evie
Okay, I will wait for you.

When Evie had gone back to the car, Jachin crouched down near the tombstone.

Jachin
Sorry, tita. Na-late ako sa pagdating. E 'di sana matagal ko nang kasama si Evie.

He heaved a deep sigh.

Jachin
Pero 'wag na po kayo masyadong mag-alala. She's being cared for and loved by. . . me.

Jachin
I'll try my best, tita.

Jachin bit his lower lip to stop the tears from welling up.

Jachin
Hindi na siya mag-isa. Nandito na po ako.

* * *

#ATSWHIwp