Twenty-four hours after Ara was found dead.
Janice Ocampo's P.O.V.
I bolted upright. It's already morning. Where's Mommy? "Janice!" Mommy's voice called from outside my room.
I was about to get up when she suddenly appeared at the door.
"Janice! Are you okay?" she greeted me. I could see extreme worry on her face.
I just nodded. That was when I noticed I was drenched in sweat. "You were screaming. Did you have another nightmare?" She stroked my hair.
I wanted to tell Mommy 'NO!', but no voice came out of my mouth. I just nodded.
I noticed Mommy's face was sad. "Prepare yourself. We're going to Nana's."
When she said that, Ara's face flashed in my mind again. Yes! Ara! Just yesterday, her body was found.
She is dead. Ara is... DEAD.
Mommy hugged me. "Be strong, Janice."
I found myself sobbing, weeping. Ara is gone. Why can't I accept it? I love Ara, I love her like a sister. That's why it hurts so much. It feels like I lost a sibling.
Mommy pulled away from the hug. "We're visiting Ara today. Don't be sad anymore."
I felt like I couldn't bear to see HER. I didn't want to see HER lying inside a coffin.
God, what should I do?
"Go on. Get dressed." Then she kissed my forehead and left the room.
When we were ready, Auntie Madge arrived. Her face was grim. It seemed like she and Mommy were discussing something I didn't know about. However, I wasn't interested in whatever it was.
Anyway, it was already afternoon when we reached Nana's. The ambiance there was so sad, especially Nana. She was just staring blankly, seemingly out of it. Only the tears in her eyes were visible.
"Our condolences, Clarisse," Mommy greeted her.
Nana just looked at us. But after that, her gaze returned to the void. We all know how much she loved Ara. If I were in her position as a mother, I'd probably be like this too.
After that, Tito Roger approached us. "Come in, Mrs. Ocampo, Madge." He couldn't manage a smile either. I could see the sorrow in his face. I'm sure he's just trying to be strong. It's truly hard to accept, especially since Ara was their only child.
There were already a few guests there before we arrived. My dear friend was there, in that coffin. Ara was laid to rest there. I could see her from a distance.
I could hardly move my feet. But wait! Why does it smell like this here? FISHY!
Yup, that's the correct term. I smell something fishy, a foul stench!
Mommy and Auntie Madge went ahead of me. They approached the coffin where Ara lay. Their actions showed deep sympathy. If they only knew how much worse mine was than theirs, they'd probably pity me more. I wanted to cry my heart out in a place where no one could hear me!
I wish I knew.
I wish I saw.
I wish I could have pointed it out.
I wish...
I WISH I could have helped her.
Oh ARA! I wish I could have helped you.
Rene suddenly crossed my mind. Where could he be? Supposedly, he should be here. I looked around.
I looked FRONT—nothing! BACK—nothing!
LEFT—nothing!
RIGHT—Oh my GOD!
I recoiled.
I was shocked by what I saw! "Ara..." a whisper said.
It was Nana!
"A-Ara..." She was sobbing. She looked pitiful.
"W-Why Ara? Why did you leave me?" Her eyes were full of tears.
Mommy and Auntie Madge approached when they overheard her. They quickly hugged her. Even I found myself crying! I know how she feels, it's so painful! I caught sight of Tito Roger. His eyes—I could see intense anger in them.
I slowly turned toward where Ara was.
I have to be strong. I need to see her. Then, I stepped toward her coffin. As I walked closer, it was like I went deaf; the surrounding noise vanished. My heart was pounding so hard.
I could hear nothing but my heartbeat and my footsteps. This is odd. I can't hear anyone. I was within reach of Ara's coffin when I stopped.
What are those? Is what I'm seeing real? Why are there BLOWFLIES?
There are so many BLOWFLIES ON TOP of Ara's coffin!
I ran toward it and shooed them away. The flies flew away while I followed them with my gaze. I looked up at them.
Then I realized, I was already here, right in front of ARA's coffin.
I swallowed and closed my eyes where I stood. Afterward, I slowly leaned over while my body trembled.
I was about to see her. I was about to see Ara. Here it is.
And holy Christ, I was horrified!!! Why?
Why does she have no face?! I saw nothing but her thick hair. I'm certain of what I'm seeing right now—she has no face!
I recoiled in fear and immediately scanned the surroundings. I saw them. They were all busy.
I backed away more.
Go on, back away.
I need to retreat. Further back!
Keep going!
Underneath ARA's coffin, I see something
So I backed away further while catching my breath.
Hurry, back away!
Underneath it, something is standing.
I could do nothing else; I just covered my mouth because of what I was seeing.
Oh my God!
There is a FOOT standing under Ara's coffin!