AID

CHAPTER 0: PROMISE

*Groans*

"Sis..."

*"I can't see anything.. Haa Eloise.."* We were just playing..  Why did it end up like this? What time did the fire begin? Why didn't I see that earlier? It's entirely my fault...  Where is my sister?!

*Sounds of the ceiling falling*

"Argh.. Ate.."

"Eloise?! Are you there?!? Answer me! Are you hurt?!"

"N-no.. I.. My shoulder.. Ang sakit.."

"Haa.. Wait for me! Pupunta ako jan!"

"..Okay.."

*"I can't see clearly.. And the smoke are getting heavy I can't breathe.. But I need to.. I need to save my sister!"*

"Ate.."

"Wait I'm coming! Don't move okay?!"

"Hmm.."

"Okay good girl.. I'll just.. Ahh!"

*"Shit, the ceiling is falling in. I can't go on because of the fire and the now ceiling, but I have to go on because I have to savemy sister and get out of here."*

I kept crawling to my sister, hoping to save her, not realizing that the roof above me was gradually collapsing. I kept crawling and then.

*Crash!*

"Ahhh!"

Shit.. My feet. My feet are stuck.. And it's hot. My feet won't move. And it is hot. The fire is causing  the wood to burn. My feet are burned and crushed I can't walk.. Shit.

"Ate..?"

"Y-yes..? I'm already close.. Don't worry we'll get out of here."

"Ate..."

My sister was standing behind me, but I was too preoccupied to notice her. And she was already crying..

"Ate stop it na.."

"Huh?"

When I turned to look, there she is. Already sobbing a lot. I'm crying too just from seeing her cry. Making me wonder if we can ever leave this place.

*Sniffles*

"Your feet.. It's stuck and there's so much blood Waahh.."

"No no sshh.. I'm okay. I'm not gonna die from this."

I kiss her forehead and dry her tears. I tried to comfort her and get her to stop crying but it didn't work.

"Tahan na.."

*Sniffles*

"I'm not gonna die and we'll survive together, okay?"

"Pero.."

"Pero ano?"

"Pano tayo makalabas dito eh.. Ang lakas na ng sunog."

"..."

She's right.. The fire is already so strong half of our house is already eaten. Then I can't stand up anymore, so what I lese can I do? Would I really lie to her? Or just be honest?

"...I'll find a way to get out of here.."

"A way? Ano naman yon?"

"Basta, Just trust me okay?"

"...I can't.. You're lying aren't you? We can't leave here! The two of us will die!"

"Don't say that!!"

I was taken aback when I unexpectedly yelled at her. I couldn't help it.. I'm mad.. I'm furious because I couldn't do anything when I'm suppose to protect her as her older sister.. But I'm useless.. I failed as a sister..

I was so frustrated at myself that I started to cry too.. My tears kept falling from my cheeks and that made my sister left so speechless because it was the first time I had ever shed tears. But I can't stop my tears anymore.. My eyes are worn out from holding it's tears that now they're all coming out at once.

I kept crying until my eyes were all swollen already but then I felt my sisters hand slowly touching mine.. I looked at my hands then looked at her face afterwards.. She was smiling, her smile was a bittersweet smile.

"I'm sorry.. Ate."

She gripped my hands as she said that.

"You must think that it's your fault aren't you?.. But it's not.. Hindi mo kasalanan ate.. Dapat nga mag thank you ako ngayon sayo dahil.. Kahit ganito na yung nangyayari pinoprotektahan mo parin ako. I admire you ate cause you don't give up easily.. I'm proud of you as my ate."

As soon as I heard her speak those words, my eyes widened. She seems to be growing up and understanding already. My sister telling me that surprised me. I've been waiting a long time to hear those words. As she put it. I'm happy.

I smiled at her and gave her a hug. I squeezed her hand. a very extended squeeze followed by a release. I smiled once more as I held her face.

"Hehe Thank you for saying that. Parang tanda kana pakinggan bunso.."

"But it's true.. I'm just saying the truth."

"Hmm kaya, Thank you. Your ate is not crying na, na okay na ako."

"Di kana iiyak?"

"Hindi na."

When I stated that, her face lit up, and she then smiled. I assume she was attempting to reassure me... I love my sister so much.

"Ate let's wait for help okay? Di kana makakalakad eh.."

Her smile slowly faded as she turned to face my feet. She must be concerned about what will happen to me, and I fear that her fears will be true. My feet were already leaking a  lot of blood, and I'm feeling weak. I think I'm running out of blood.. This is bad. Really bad..

"Eloise.."

"Hm?"

"Come here.."

I hugged her after bringing her close to mine. I pondered  whether this might be my last. I had to express my sister my love one final time. So I gave her a hug.. Until I gradually become even weaker.

I had already started to lose strength because I was so feeble.. I was already leaning on my sister's back as a result. I'm not  sure why, but. My sister's hands were a lot warmer than mine.

I'm worn out.. I can already feel my eyes closing.. But I'm trying to stay awake with my sister and wait for help.

"Eloise..?"

"Ah yes..?"

"I'll close my eyes for a sec, okay?"

"Eh why??"

"Because I'm tired.. I feel sleepy."

"O-oh.. Okay."

"Wake me up when the help arrives, okay?"

"Hm! Sure."

"Okay good.."

I was already gonna close my eyes but then my sister touched my hands then holds it for 5 minutes.

"Eloise..?"

"...."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing.. I just wanna hold your hand while you sleep."

"Hm okay.."

I then exhale after closing my eyes. while restraining my sister with my hands.

Eloise's Pov:

My sister just slept 20 minutes ago. She still isn't awake yet.. I'm not sure whether or not I'll wake her up. She seems to be sound asleep.

I was wondering why her hand was getting more colder after holding it for such a long time. When she requested consent to sleep. Her hands were beginning to become cold, but now they are even colder. And she isn't waking up either.. My ideas are incorrect right..?  "No.. It can't be..." It's impossible, Right?

I turned around and glanced at her face. She is actually asleep. However, she grows heavier the more time she spends sleeping. What is this? I don't understand.

I've been waiting for help, but as the smoke inside grew heavier and breathing became more difficult, I eventually became unaware that I was already losing consciousness..

*Sounds of the Ambulance*

"Turn on the water! Hurry!!"

*Sounds of the water splashing*

"H-huh...? Nasan ako..?"

"Don't worry.. You're safe na."

"And my sister?? where's my sister?"

I tried to turned my head around but the person who was carrying me stopped me then pats my head.

"Don't worry she's.. Somewhere safe."

"R-really..?"

"Hmm.. Kaya wag mo ng pag-isipan ang nangyare at magpahinga ka."

I listened to her then closed my eyes.. My whole body was hurting all over and I was so tired. So I fell asleep quickly, But then..

I woke up in a hospital????

*Gasp!*

I opened my eyes.. And the first thing I saw was the hospitals ceiling. I stood up immediately and turned around..  Then I saw my mom. I simply stared at her, wondering why she was crying..? *"I'm not dead am I?"* I asked myself. Then she looked up and saw me looking at her. She then tightly hugged me before breaking down again.

"E-eloise..??? Anak! Jusko gumising ka na sa wakas!"

"M-mom..? What happened?"

"The house was caught on fire nak.. Tapos na rescue ka na nung unconscious ka kaya wala kang maalala.."

"Oh.. Then si Ate..??? Nasan sha..?"

My mom then got quiet suddenly.. As if she doesn't know what to say. Then I suddenly realised maybe..

"Nasan yung ate ko Mom???"

She was still being quiet.. I got irritated by her silence and thought maybe what I thought was right..? But it can't be. I looked straight at her and asked her one more time where's my sister.

"Mom.. Nasan si ate ko?"

She then looked at me slowly then her tears starts falling.. Looking at her I knew I was right. I quickly got up from the bed and left my room.

"Eloise!! San ka pupunta??!"

"I'll find my sister!!!"

After that, I searched for my sister as quickly as I could, but shewas nowhere to be found. Did they already bury her?? without me? How did they do that? I want to visit my sister one final time. How could she abandon me? She assured me that we would both survive. She made a promise! She always keeps her word, so why...?

*pants*

"Why.. did you broke your promise..?"

I kept asking why, why, why!, but I didn't get an answer. My sister was the only person who understood me, but now that she'sgone, I'm all alone. I was on my knees crying uncontrollably, and my thoughts were so mixed up that I couldn't think clearly.

Because of crying too much I started to hyperventilate, I then gripped my shirt then tries to breathe while my tears still kept falling from my cheeks. From all the crying my throat was already damaged. But still I kept crying loudly..

"Aaah.. Why.. Aahh!!"

I screamed my lungs out without a care if somebody heards me. What was on my mind was my chest.. It feels really hurt that I can't breathe anymore..

*"This is all my fault." *

                               - to be continued.