Chapter 9

Chapter IX: Rondo  Benigno and Christine lie in bed, the echoes of the day's festivities still fresh in their minds. Yet, as the night deepens, their thoughts inevitably drift to Regie. A tune passes by, singing,"Remember Me, Do I have to say Goodbye?" Christine's voice quivers as she breaks the silence."Naalala mo ba, Benigno, nung tinutugtog ni Regie 'yung kanta na iyon sa piano?" Benigno turns to her, his expression soft but firm. He places a comforting hand on her shoulder."Oo, naaalala ko. Pero kailangan nating tanggapin. Tapos na 'yon, mahal. Focus tayo kay Isko. Siya na ang kailangan natin ngayon." Christine nods, wiping away a tear."Oo nga... pero ang hirap minsan. Lalo na 'pag naaalala ko 'yung ngiti niya." Benigno pulls her closer, whispering,"Matulog na tayo. Kailangan mo ng pahinga. Bukas, bagong araw na ulit." It is midnight, and the house is blanketed in silence. Christine and Benigno are sound asleep, but in another room, Isko stirs restlessly. His body twitches, his breaths become labored, and his face contorts as if he's trapped in a horrifying dream. Suddenly, a scream pierces the stillness of the night. Christine bolts upright."Benigno! Si Isko!" They rush to his room, finding him writhing on the bed, drenched in sweat. His face is pale, his hands clutching the blanket tightly."Isko! Gising, anak!" Christine calls, shaking him gently. Benigno kneels beside him, his voice calm but firm."Isko, naririnig mo ba kami? Gising!" Isko's eyes snap open, his chest heaving as he gulps for air. His gaze flits between Christine and Benigno, disoriented."Anak, ano'ng nangyari? Ano'ng napanaginipan mo?" Christine asks, her voice filled with concern. Isko rubs his eyes and sits up, trembling."Hindi ko po alam... bangungot yata, pero hindi ko na po maalala." Benigno exchanges a worried glance with Christine."Halika, bumangon ka muna. Pupunta tayo sa kusina." In the kitchen, the warm glow of the overhead light creates a cocoon of safety. Christine heats up a glass of milk, while Benigno sits beside Isko, gently patting his back."Uminom ka muna nito," Christine says, handing him the milk. Isko takes a sip, the warmth soothing his nerves."Pasensya na po. Nagising ko kayo.""Walang problema, anak," Benigno says firmly."Importante ay maayos ka." Christine sits across from him, her eyes full of reassurance."Anak, kung ano man 'yung napanaginipan mo, tandaan mo na andito kami. Hindi ka nag-iisa." Benigno nods in agreement."Tama si Christine. Kahit anong mangyari, nandito kami para sa'yo." Isko looks at them, his eyes brimming with tears."Salamat po. Ang swerte ko po na napunta ako sa inyo." Christine smiles, reaching out to hold his hand."Hindi 'yan swerte, anak. Plano 'yan ng Diyos." The three sit together for a while, the kitchen filled with a quiet, comforting warmth. Eventually, Benigno suggests they all head back to bed. As Isko lies down again, he feels a sense of security he hasn't known before. Whatever haunted his dreams may still linger in the shadows, but for now, he knows he is not alone. The house returns to stillness as the three retreat to their rooms. The unsettling night fades into quiet dawn, and Christine and Benigno rise early to prepare breakfast for Isko. As Christine flips pancakes and Benigno scrambles eggs, they share a moment of reflection."Benigno, sana okay lang si Isko. Baka naman stress lang 'yun," Christine murmurs, placing the last pancake on the plate. Benigno nods."Sigurado ako, malalagpasan niya 'yon. Tayo ang magiging sandalan niya." They finish preparing breakfast and head to Isko's room to wake him. However, as Christine pushes the door open, they find the bed neatly made and the room empty."Nasaan si Isko?" Christine asks, her brow furrowed. Benigno's ears perk up as a soft melody drifts through the air."Christine, naririnig mo 'yun?" The couple follows the sound, leading them to the basement. Christine's heart skips a beat as they approach the door, the melody growing clearer."'Remember Me,'" Christine whispers."Benigno... si Regie?" Benigno hesitates but pushes the door open. Inside, the room is bathed in soft morning light filtering through a small window. At the piano sits Isko, his fingers dancing across the keys as he sings:"Remember me, though I have to say goodbye... Remember me, don't let it make you cry..." Christine gasps, her hand flying to her chest. For a moment, it feels as though Regie himself is there, his silhouette superimposed over Isko's."Isko?" Benigno calls, breaking the spell. Isko turns, smiling sheepishly."Good morning po! Sorry, maaga po yata akong nag-ingay." Christine shakes her head, still stunned."Anak, saan mo natutunan 'yang kanta na 'yan?" Isko shrugs, his gaze distant."Hindi ko po alam. Parang kusa lang po siyang pumasok sa isip ko." The couple exchanges a glance, their emotions tangled between joy and the bittersweet memories of Regie. Christine approaches Isko, her voice trembling."Alam mo, anak, paborito 'yan ng anak namin noon. Lagi niya 'yang tinutugtog noong bata pa siya." Isko's face softens."Talaga po? Ang ganda po kasi ng kanta. Para pong puno ng damdamin." Benigno steps closer, placing a hand on Isko's shoulder."Tama ka, anak. May malalim na mensahe ang kantang 'yan." As the three stand around the piano, Christine begins to hum the next part of the song. Isko smiles and picks up the harmony, while Benigno joins in, his baritone voice adding depth."Remember me, each time you hear a sad guitar... Know that I'm with you, the only way that I can be..." The room fills with their voices, a blend of nostalgia, love, and a hint of healing. When they reach the last lyric, they hold the final note together, letting it linger in the air. A moment of silence follows, and Christine brushes away a tear."Our boy would have loved to hear us sing that together." Isko smiles warmly."Baka po narinig niya. Sa puso natin." Benigno nods, his eyes glistening."Tara, anak. Kain na tayo. Napasarap na ang kanta mo, baka malamig na 'yung almusal." The three head upstairs, their bond strengthened by the shared melody. Over breakfast, they laugh, share stories, and for the first time in a long while, feel a little closer to the memories of Regie without the pain overpowering them.