Jay POV
The sky was pale and quiet.
Not dramatic. Not crying with us.
Just watching.
I stood in front of the coffin, my fingers cold even though the sun was faintly shining. Aunty Katherine lay inside that wooden box, and I still couldn't understand how a person so warm could fit into something so still.
Keifer stood beside me. Close enough that I could feel his presence without looking.
Hex was on my other side, silent. Too silent.
The Section E boys were there. Nathan. Carlos. Miguel. They looked serious, protective, almost guarded.
Some people came for me.
Angelo stood at the back, hands in his pockets, eyes softer than usual.
Jeana gave me a small, sympathetic look.
Andy nodded at me quietly.
Aunty Gemma came to hug me, even if she didn't really know Aunty Katherine well.
They weren't crying for her.
They were there for me.
And somehow… that made me cry even more.
Luna came too. Diego stood beside her, holding her hand respectfully. Lorenzo. Dominic. Leo. Katrina.
Everyone gathered around the grave, dressed in black, the air thick with quiet murmurs.
The priest spoke about rest. About returning to dust. About peace.
Peace.
It felt like such a far word.
When it was time to say goodbye, some people just bowed their heads. They didn't know what to say. How could they? They didn't know her laugh. They didn't know how she hummed while cooking.
They didn't know how she used to call me "anak" so softly.
When I stepped forward, my legs felt weak.
"Aunty…" My voice barely came out. "I cleaned my room today. I fixed everything."
My throat burned.
"You always told me not to be afraid of being alone. But… I didn't think you meant this."
A tear slipped down before I could stop it.
Hex shifted beside me. I felt the anger rolling off him like heat.
Then the coffin was lowered.
Slowly.
The ropes strained softly.
The sound of soil hitting wood echoed in my chest like something breaking.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Each sound felt final.
Keifer's hand rested firmly at my back, steadying me. I didn't realize I was shaking until he tightened his grip slightly.
And just like that…
She was under the ground.
Covered.
Gone.
People left quietly afterward.
Some squeezed my shoulder.
Some said, "Stay strong."
Angelo didn't say much. He just gave me a look that meant we're here.
Jeana hugged me briefly.
Aunty Gemma told me to visit her if I ever needed anything.
They cared.
But they didn't understand the hole inside my chest.
Eventually, everyone drifted away.
Keifer asked softly, "You want me to come with you?"
I shook my head.
"I'll go home."
Not his place.
Ours.
When I stepped into the house, the silence wrapped around me immediately.
It smelled the same.
Like her lotion. Like cooked rice. Like comfort.
I walked into her room slowly.
Her bed was slightly messy.
Her scarf still hung on the chair.
Her slippers were neatly placed near the bed.
For a moment, I just stood there.
Then I started arranging everything.
I folded her clothes carefully.
I smoothed the bed.
I wiped the table.
I placed her comb beside the mirror neatly.
Every movement felt slow. Careful. Sacred.
When I finished, the room looked peaceful.
Like she just stepped out for a walk.
I stood at the doorway.
"I'll be okay," I whispered. "I promise."
My hand held the doorknob.
I closed the door gently.
Then I stayed there for a few seconds.
Breathing.
Trying not to fall apart.
After a while… I wiped my face.
And I left too.
End of Chapter. 💔