The Gay That Broke My Heart

Chapter 3

The days came so fast for Czarina. She didn't think it could be this hard since her parents died. She had to process the burial, the documents, the will, and other things that she never thought she'd do.

Those things were making her so tired, but she didn't care about herself anymore. Everything went into a frenzy as if the world was punishing her and teaching her a lesson in order to mature fast. She was definitely on haywire. She didn't even have the chance to mourn her parents because she was so busy settling everything her parents left her.

Czarina chewed her inner cheeks. She tried so hard not to wail while the priest was reciting the prayer and the last right for Czarina's parents. All the people close to her mom and dad were there to witness her parents' burial. Tears were falling continuously from Czarina's eyes while her grandmother was beside her, thanking the relatives and friends who gave their condolences.

After the funeral, Czarina and her grandmother began to tidy all the things inside their house. When they were done, she went to her parent's room. She sat at the bedside.

Czarina brushed her palm against the cover. Suddenly she felt the heaviness of her chest again. Her tears started to fall once more. She laid her body on the bed and reached for her mother's pillow. Czarina hugged it as tight as she could, pretending that she was embracing her mom and dad. It's been days, and she missed them so much. She wanted to hug them again and let them know how much she loved them.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry..." she whispered while sobbing. "I'm sorry that I was too stubborn to listen… This is all on me. I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have gone out there. I'm so sorry… If only I could turn back the hands of time, I would."

Czarina was crying so hard that she didn't notice her grandmother was standing by the open door. The pain was written all over her face while looking at her granddaughter, crying her heart out. She was hurt that Czarina was the reason why her son died together with his wife. Rosing had already noticed that Czarina was an outgoing person. That was why she told her son to keep an eye on their only daughter. But her son just shrugged it off, saying that it's just a teenager thing. And that, apparently, is not something to be worried about. They trust Czarina so much that she will never do anything that will put her in trouble. However, that was not the case. Czarina did something that cost her son's and daughter-in-law's lives.

Rosing admits that it will be a very challenging task to raise a child like Czarina. But maybe showing her unconditional love and continuously guiding her to the right path will be enough. Czarina is the only child and is really loved by almost everyone. She's a cheerful child and can immediately light the room up without exerting any effort. But now, Rosing is hesitating if that will still be the case. Czarina had gone through a lot. She lost her parents and Rosing is wondering: how can she manage a young lady who is very fond of city life?

Rosing entered the room and sat beside her granddaughter. She gently caresses Czarina's back. Even after what happened, Rosing didn't blame Czarina for the death of her son and daughter-in-law.

"Come on. You have to prepare your things now," Rosing softly said.

Czarina immediately turned her head, facing her grandmother. She had a questioning look.

"You're going to live with me in Rosario…."

"What?!" Czarina yelled in surprise. She sat up straight and wiped her tears away using the back of her hands. She stared at her grandmother with her eyes wide open.

"You heard me."

Czarina stared at her grandmother blankly. She froze a bit before laughing. The laughter came out so long that her grandmother gave her a sharp stare.

"Is there anything funny, Czarina?" Rosing asked her granddaughter.

Czarina covered her mouth and mumbled sorry. She laughed again. She didn't know that her Lola Rosing was a very effective joker. She tried her best to suppress her laughter and cleared her throat. She straightened her back and looked at her grandmother.

"Seriously, Lola. I never thought that your comedy skills were epic!" she laughed again. For a short period of time, she had even forgotten that she had been crying her heart out earlier.

Rosing shook her head and looked at Czarina with her serious face. "I'm not joking."

Czarina slowly stopped laughing upon hearing her grandmother. Then, all of a sudden, her first sentence came back to her mind. It was like a broken record echoed in her mind.

"You're going to live with me in Rosario..."

"No. Way." Czarina blurted out when she realized that her grandmother was serious.

She? The most popular Czarina living outside of the city? In the province? With her grandmother?

Czarina shook her head. "No. This is a joke. Nah-uh," she refused.

Rosing sighed. "Do you also want me to believe that your parents didn't die, huh, Czarina?"

Czarina stopped and frowned. "Lola... this is not going to work. I have my college life in this city already! The first semester is almost through and I need to enroll. Besides, I know how to live on my own..." she reasoned out with her lower lip a bit pouted as she looked away.

"You think you can stop yourself from having parties? How many people will be in trouble coming after you, young lady? Do you think I will let you do whatever you want after your parents die? How insensitive can you be!" Rosing reprimanded her.

Czarina's mouth opened and then closed it again a couple of times. She wanted to reason out, but she couldn't find the right words to say in order to convince her grandmother. Her Lola Rosing is right. She's being insensitive. And yes, she's in denial. She's the reason for her parents' death. And yet here she is, trying to get everything back to normal, as if she can live on her own, without any guidance from anyone. She doesn't even know how to pay the utility bills! All of it was being handled gracefully by her super mom.

Even though she helped her mom with the household chores, that was not all. The cleaning of the bathroom, the dishes, and the clothes were all handled by her mom without any complaints. Now, her mom is gone and she misses her terribly!

The next day, Czarina's things are all packed. She wanted to let her friends know that she'd be moving, but she worried that they might laugh at her if they knew that she'd be living in the countryside. Ugh. She wanted to scream so loudly and just hit the replay back. If it weren't for her stupidity, her life would be easy as it is.

Czarina had already planned what her life would be like now that she was all alone in a short span of time. She is already at her legal age and the sole beneficiary of her parents' wealth. All of it was already transferred to her name. She was planning on getting her life back to normal with the money she had. She would find a job to support the school and other stuff, but it all changed when Lola Rosing broke the news that she would be moving with her to Rosario, which is her father's hometown.

She had been to Rosario many times during the summer vacation. And living there is definitely not an option. She hated the muddy roads whenever it rained. The thought of her feet and flip-flops getting soaked in the mud really makes her furious. Plus, she hated the afternoon there. The sun was just too harsh on her skin. Though she had to admit, the air there is fresh. However, she doesn't care about it. She's used to pollution and that's what she'll always be looking for. Besides, there was nothing fun to do there.

There were no beaches. And if they decide to go to a beach, they have to travel far in order to do so. There was nothing but palm trees there, not to mention the smell of the carabaos and their poop, which was the size of a regular pizza. The place just doesn't suit a city girl like her.

Czarina pushed back all her memories of Rosario and continued putting her luggage in the living room. After a few minutes, she and her grandmother were already inside the taxi on their way to the airport. They immediately checked in and waited for another couple of minutes for the boarding announcement.

Finally, after an hour and thirty-minute flight, Czarina set foot again in Bancasi Airport. She was still not ready to get off the plane. More like, she doesn't want to be in that place, to begin with, but she doesn't have any choice. She wanted to stay in her seat for a couple of minutes, but her grandmother was already giving her a sharp stare.

Czarina heaved a sigh.

She doesn't have any choice but to stand up and get their other bags in the overhead bin. Afterward, she's already tailing her grandmother out of the plane and out of the airport.

Czarina thought they could ride a taxi, but she was wrong. Her grandmother waited on a multicab and dragged her to get in. She thought it would not be a long trip. Besides, it's been a while since the last time she visited her grandmother's place. For sure, a lot has changed.

After a few minutes passed, the multicab stopped at a bus terminal. Her grandmother gestured for her to get off. Czarina obediently followed her grandmother's demand silently even though she wanted to complain.

Czarina thought that someone would pick them up, but she was so wrong! Rosing dragged Czarina near to one of the buses. The sad part is.. it's not even air-conditioned. The bus was just waiting to be fully loaded by commuters. It's already half full.

Czarina's eyes widened while looking at her grandmother. She was shaking her head in disapproval. "No way in hell, I'm going to ride that bus, Lola..."

Instead of answering, her grandmother just eyed her sharply and started to approach the staff assigned to the bus. She asked for assistance with so many things they brought. The guy politely inserted the luggage into the compartment of the vehicle. They brought a lot of stuff. Others were already shipped before their flight.

After a seemingly long ride and stop-bys, they finally got off the bus. Rosing turned to Czarina. "Dear, could you please dial up your uncle? Tell him that we're already at the final bus stop. He already knows what to do," she said.

Czarina rolled her eyes after her grandmother looked away from her.

She was already tired from all the traveling. It's like a never-ending one. But she doesn't have any choice but to do what she was told. She lazily took her phone from her backpack and called her uncle. And after she did that, an old jeepney pulled up in front of them. Behind the steering wheel, it was her uncle named Diether. He was wearing his long-sleeve shirt while waving at the two ladies. In the passenger's seat was also a relative middle-aged guy that isn't familiar with Czarina. They all moved out and helped the ladies put their luggage bags on the back of the vehicle. Things were all good, but she didn't seem to see any vacant seats in the back or inside the truck.

"Where are we supposed to sit, then?" she asked.

"Who told you that we're going with them?" her grandmother asked her.

"Huh?" she asked, puzzled.

Czarina's uncle whistled using his fingers inserted in his mouth. A few moments later, a guy riding a motorcycle halted in front of them.

"We will ride this one, honey..." Lola Rosing pointed to an average-looking motorcycle, no scratch that! It was a scooter! How can they even fit?!

"What?!" Czarina exclaimed. "No… this couldn't be…."

'Just what did I get myself into?!' Czarina thought to herself.