6ft Under

J: Sandra?

Where did she go? It's too early to wander outside. But she did mention na di naman daw sya makalayo kasi she feels that there's this energy that binds us close together. So ano ako wifi router?

I started cleaning the apartment because she dislikes having unorganized things in the house. Akala mo naman nadikit yung dumi ng kalat sa balat nya, napakaarte. After doing my laundry, it's already 3 in the afternoon and Sandra is still nowhere to be found. I decided to watch the news and read articles related to her case. I have also checked the CCTV footage released by the police on her penthouse and yung mga katabing kalsada na pwedeng daanan ng suspects. Millie is one of the suspect based on interviews, as she was the last person seen with Sandra before her disappearance. However, charges cannot be pressed due to insufficient evidence. She is currently having her final concert in Cebu, so personally, we are unable to ask her side of the story.

Ano bang kinalaman mo Millie akala ko ba demogorgon lang pinapatay mo?

Gabi na wala pa rin yung maarte ko na kaboardmate saan na naman kaya tumambay? I began searching for her at the park, as she always spends her dusks there, observing people. I'm on my way to the benches but surprisingly she's not in her usual spot. Gustong-gusto nya raw maglakad sa park since first time nya ma-experience na hindi sya pinagkakaguluhan ng mga tao. She felt secure in a public place for the first time, an experience she never had while alive.

J: Sandra san ka na?!

I shouted as I walked around the park, hoping she could hear me. I'm starting to get worried this time. I hope everything is okay.

Umuwi na ako at baka nagkasalisihan lang kami pero ang nadatnan ko lang ay ang napakatahimik kong apartment.

I returned from searching for clues. This time, I will explore her social media friends. Maybe, I can find clues that could give her hope when she returns.

Wala man akong alam sa pagiging detective pero naglalaro naman ako dati ng detective games sa phone saka mahilig naman ako sa mga thriller movies and series. Diba mostly ng killer sa movies mga kasamahan lang ng victim sa company or minsan friends pa nga eh. Don't touch me natapos ko kaya yung 1,075 episodes ng Detective Conan.

After 2 days nag-aalala na ako ki Sandra kasi wala pa rin sya. What if nabuhay na ulit sya? Tawagan ko kaya si Glydel? Kaso baka mahalata ako, pero para sure lang na okay si Sandra. Luh bakit ba ang lala na ng pag-aalala ko sa kanya eh di nga ako masyadong nangangamusta sa mga friends ko. Anyway, here goes nothing.

J: Hello, good morning Miss Glydel this is Jules. I just wanted to let you know that I got your number from your secretary as you instructed.

G: Yes, do you need anything?

Wow, wala man lang good morning too? Business agad e

J: I just wanted to ask po if you have noticed any signs that Miss Sandra has returned to NCR?

G: Is she back yet? Because I haven't received any updates from my contacts suggesting she returned. I also haven't received any messages or calls from her letting me know that she's back. I will have my secretary call her penthouse, and I will let you know if I receive any updates.

J: Okay po miss, thank you so much.

Napakastraight to the point naman ni maem.

Binaba nya na yung phone. Sana naman okay lang si Sandra, di pa po ako lord ready na bumalik sya sa katawan nya, I mean sana naman nagpaalam sya na okay na pala, para di ako napaparanoid. Saka bakit ba alalang-alala ako doon eh araw-araw nga kami nagbabangayan. Malala na ata ako? Paglabas ko ng kwarto nagulat ako kasi may nakatitig sa akin.

J: Punyeta naman Sandy oh nakakabigla ka naman!

S: Sandy?

J: Short sa Sandra, haba-haba naman kasi.

S:Cute

J: Ko? Shempre ako pa ba.

I said with a smug expression as I rubbed my fingers on my chin.

S: Ang feeling talaga.

Umupo ako sa tabi nya at saka tinitigan sya sa mukha. Seeing her smile made all my worries vanish into thin air, pero tinaasan nya lang ako ng isang kilay habang hinahawi ang kanyang buhok.

J: Where have you been?

I leaned closer to her as I mumbled my question. Her facial expression softens, and she smiles slightly.

S: I didn’t know… All I can remember was a bonfire, and for the first time, I could breathe... like for real.

I look at her confused but still listen. I miss staring into those nebulous eyes that seem to reflect the heavens. Every time our eyes meet, it's like I'm stargazing. I wanted to be a star, to be seen and appreciated by those beautiful eyes, but in order to become a star, you must burn.

J: I didn't expect to hear from you... I thought you had left without saying goodbye.

Bonfire ano yun nagcamping sila?

I replied while still looking into her eyes. She avoided my gaze and burst into laughter, tilting her head back. It’s one of her habits when she feels shy. She stood up, put her hands on her hips, and brightly told me.

S: Hey it’s okay I’m here na oh, I won’t leave you without saying goodbye okay? So don’t be sad na.

J: Aba dapat lang, baka naghihintay lang ako sa wala, baka paasahin mo lang ako na babalik ka.

S: Di naman ako paasa ah!

I shake my head and get up to cook my brunch. I'm delighted that she's doing well since being with her feels like witnessing an aurora borealis, without solar winds I am just a mere gas in the thermosphere.