23: Explosion

It was too late when the firemen arrived. They couldn't save Daddy.

I was weak when they brought out Daddy's lifeless body. This is not true. It's all just a dream.

The maids are talking to me, but I don't seem to hear anything anymore. I'm dizzy. The surroundings are spinning. I feel like I'm going deaf too.

Manang was also shocked, so he could hardly speak. The responding rescue team took him to the hospital. None of them were injured or harmed.

Daddy's assistant helped arrange his funeral. His body was cremated because that was his wish, said his assistant. Visitors flocked to his mind. Many people approach me but I'm just dumbfounded.

I was broken into pieces. I can't speak and I feel like I'm going crazy. I wasn't ready for this. I can not accept. If only I had known, Jacob and I would have lived in a mansion. I should have spent more time with him.

My Daddy who did nothing but dedicate his life to take care of and raise me is gone.

Daddy, I can't accept that you are gone. You're still young to go. Didn't I tell you that I'll take care of you when you're about to wobble? I promised you then that when you're back, I will be by your side. Why did you die so soon?

And what I couldn't accept, the scented candle I gave him was the source of the fire. I gave it to him then because I said, it will make him relax.

Gosh!

"Condolences, Precious." Cora just arrived. He is said to be from Davao.

He hugged me. "Poor Tito..." he cried while hugging me tightly. It's hard for me to breathe because my chest really hurts. I don't know when I will be okay.

I fixed the house. Daddy's room and the two rooms next to it were affected by the fire. Because the house is old and antique, it will take a long time and the workers will have to do a lot.

I skipped work. I was at the mansion every day to take care of the workers, even though I was dumbfounded and kept crying because of the loss of my father.

"Hija, how many days have you not eaten..." Manang brought me food upstairs. His condition is fine now but he is also sad and lethargic because of the loss of his master.

"I'm not hungry, Manang."

"Even if you just take a little bite." He sat next to me. "Your Daddy loves you very much. If he sees you now, he won't be happy with the situation he sees in you. Just think that he and your Mommy are together now."

"It still hurts, Manang." Manang nodded. "As long as Manang is here."

Manang didn't leave even though I said he could retire, now that Daddy is gone but he didn't want to agree. He also fell in love with this house.

Jacob only worked half a day today. As much as possible he doesn't want to leave me alone, in case he has to go in. Anyway, I have a support system, but it's not that easy to recover from what happened.

"How are you?" my husband asked me softly. He hugged me and kissed me.

"Have you eaten? Let's eat. If you don't eat, I won't either."

I sighed and tried to swallow the food he took. It's hard to swallow. I seem to have gotten used to not eating anything.

"I know that you're on a diet, but don't do this. Eat more please."

Jacob's patience with me. Without him, how could I be?

"Do you want us to go on vacation when daddy is forty days old?"

"Don't go to work yet. I'm going to take a leave."

"Wherever?"

"Abroad. Shall we go to the beach?"

"My body isn't ready for the beach yet, Jacob."

"Sige, Spain or Italy na lang. What do you think?"

Maybe I need a vacation.

After work, Awi also visits me. Sometimes his colleagues join him. And I appreciate it so much. Sometimes even on weekends, Awi still visits. She's such a true friend.

As for Cora, I only see her three times a week, because she is always busy. He is starting a business. I even heard him and his mother fighting for a day. His mother asks where his money comes from.

His mother even slapped him, because he didn't want to admit it.

"Are you okay? Are you okay?"

Cora didn't answer and just left.

I couldn't advise Cora any more. I can't even think properly so I haven't visited the other properties yet. Although I know that Dad's assistant and lawyer are reliable.

Daddy's forty days are over. I still cry every day but I try to eat at the right time. I'm still fasting, I can handle it even though one of my coping mechanisms is stress eating. But I'm just thinking that Daddy won't be happy if I let myself go.

Jacob and I went abroad after the meeting with Daddy's company. I want the investors and stockholders to know that their shares are in a safe hand. The company is still going well even though Daddy is gone.

After this vacation, I will take over the company. I will work hard and grow it further. I'll make my Dad proud.

"Thank you for everything, Jacob. I love you." After we got back from Spain, Jacob and I went straight to Leyte. He has a meeting there. He said he didn't want me to be far from him so he took me with him. After his meeting, we will go for a walk.

Anyway, I'm smiling. I thank God for giving Jacob to my life.

"Close your eyes," Jacob whispered before blindfolding my eyes. He knows something like this.

When we got out of the car I heard the soft waves of the sea so I guessed where we were. But I never thought that we would have dinner on the yacht.

There is food on the table. There is good music in the background and above all the sky is full of stars.

"I think this is the happiest night of my life."

He still hugged me tightly.

He brought his mouth close to my ear and whispered.

"I love you, Precious."

"J-Jacob... What did you s-say?"

I looked up at him with blurry eyes.

"I love you, Precious."

I was already crying.

"I love you too, Jacob. Thank you... Thank you. I've been asking God for this for a long time."

He laughed before repeating the words I wanted to hear.

"I love you. Remember that."

THIRD POV

It was late at night and the couple had to return to Manila. But before leaving, Precious took a bath inside the yacht. Jacob was left outside. Silently looking at the sky with a sweet smile on his lips.

While Precious was in the bathroom, she was singing out of joy. She felt like she was the happiest girl in the world.

It didn't even occur to him that their happy night as a couple would end in an explosion.