MORTEM

We are all excited as we prepare for our tour to Baguio, where we will be shooting a documentary for our school project. This documentary is an essential requirement for our graduation. We plan to capture footage of Baguio’s historical landmarks, including the Battle of Irisan Historic Site, Camp John Hay Cemetery No. 2, the Keystones of Baguio, and the Heritage Hill Nature Park Garden. Visiting all these places is both exciting and necessary for our project.

By the way, I’m Irish Stephen, a college student majoring in Mass Communication at Springville University. If you’re wondering why my last name is Stephen, it’s because my father, an American veteran soldier, married my mother, a Filipina nurse. Sadly, my dad passed away last year. My mom, now retired from nursing, manages her own restaurant in Tagaytay, a place known for its delicious food and unforgettable memories.

“Say hi, Heaven,” I said to my boyfriend, soon to be my husband while holding up the camera, capturing this moment as we waited for the bus to arrive.

“Hi,” Heaven said with a smile, waving at the camera.

“His name is Jayvee Cruz, and he is my loving, handsome, and intelligent boyfriend,” I said as I focused the camera on him. I want to capture every moment we share because I plan to include them in our wedding video next year. Yes, we’re getting married after we graduate! We’ve already saved enough money for our wedding.

If you’re wondering why I call him Heaven, it’s because he is my Heaven. Whenever I’m with him, I feel like I’m in paradise. And of course, I’m his Angel. We are Heaven and Angel. That’s how cheesy we are!

Jayvee is sweet, smart, and undeniably handsome. I know he truly loves me because, despite the many girls crushing on him at school, I remain his number one priority. He always keeps me updated about his schedule, especially his basketball training and when he’s going out with friends. As a varsity basketball player on campus, he’s always busy, but he never fails to make time for me.

Most importantly, Jayvee respects me. He listens when I say “No” or “I don’t like it,” and that’s not weakness; it’s called respect. And of course, I do the same. I never go out with other guys, and I always let him know when I’m going out with my friends. Not because I have to, but because I respect and love him.

I know in my heart that he is the one.

Pack your things quickly! It’s getting late, and I don’t want to travel at night,” Nestle said. He’s our big brother. The eldest among us and he’ll be our director for the documentary film. Nestle is one of a kind. Whenever he’s given a task, he wants everything to be perfect. He strongly believes in always giving his best, which makes him serious about everything he does.

It’s already late afternoon, and we need to hurry. We don’t want to waste too much time on the road. Tomorrow, we’ll start shooting right away, but we also want to set aside a day to enjoy Baguio before heading home. Jayvee and I plan to make the most of it, especially in such a romantic place.

After an hour of waiting, the bus finally arrived. The driver stepped down and apologized for the delay, explaining that the bus we had rented broke down and had to be taken to a mechanic for repairs. We understood what mattered was that he made it, and now it was time for us to leave.

Carrying our bags, we boarded the bus one by one. Of course, Jayvee sat beside me, while Camille, my adorable best friend, sat next to her crush, Josh.

Our team consisted of nearly twenty people. Camille and Josh, our scriptwriters, Jayvee and I, Nestle—our director and Aimee, one of our camerawomen (yes, camerawoman), and the rest, whom I recognized by face but not by name.

It was already six o’clock when we left the school, and I knew we would arrive in Baguio late at night. I noticed Nestle looking stressed. He wasn’t smiling anymore. He was probably thinking about the time lost due to the long trip, knowing that it would throw off his schedule and force him to adjust his plans.

“Who are you looking at?” Jayvee asked, holding my hand and squeezing it like a stress ball.

“Nestle. He looks so stressed,” I replied.

“Get used to it,” Jayvee said with a chuckle. “He’s always like that... too serious.” He glanced at Nestle, shaking his head.

After a while, Josh took out his guitar and started playing a song. It was As Long as It Matters by Gin Blossoms, a beautiful song with a meaningful message. The melody was soothing yet catchy, making it impossible not to sing along. One by one, we all joined in, our voices filling the bus and breaking the boredom. Thanks to Josh and his guitar skills, the trip felt more fun. Now I understand why Camille had a crush on him.

I reached into my bag, pulled out a pack of chips, and opened it. After taking a few for myself, I handed some to Jayvee before passing the bag around so everyone could have their share. We all enjoyed the snack, laughing and chatting like kids on a grade school field trip, excited for our adventure in Baguio.

Jayvee held my hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently. As he looked into my eyes, he smiled and sang the song just for me. A rush of warmth spread through me, making my heart race with excitement. Unable to resist the moment, I leaned in, kissed him softly on the lips, and whispered, “I love you so much.”

He smiled, his eyes filled with affection.

“I love you more,” he whispered back.

The bus came to a stop after Aimee requested a quick break—she wanted to buy pizza for everyone. So, we pulled into the parking lot of Greenwich Pizza, and Aimee got out with Camille to place the order. While the rest of us waited excitedly inside the bus, Nestle frowned and shook his head. He knew this stop would delay our already late trip to Baguio.

“Heaven, I’m just going to the restroom,” I whispered, gently letting go of Jayvee’s hand, only to realize he had fallen asleep.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured with a soft smile before leaning in to kiss him lightly. He stirred for a moment but quickly drifted back to sleep.

I stood up and made my way to the restroom at the back of the bus. After opening the door, I stepped inside and locked it behind me. Since it was a shared toilet for both men and women, I wanted to make sure no one accidentally walked in.

The restroom was small but clean, with a mini sink and faucet, a mirror hanging on the wall, and a fresh ocean-mint scent that made the space feel pleasant.

I stretched my arms and legs, trying to shake off the numbness from sitting too long. Then, I turned on the faucet and splashed my face with cold water, wiping it dry with a tissue. Reaching into my pouch, I pulled out my comb and a hair tie, planning to tie my hair up.

Just as I started combing my hair—

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Wait,” I called out, continuing to fix my hair.

But the knocking didn’t stop.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

It only grew louder.

I quickly finished combing my hair and opened the door to see who had been knocking. I looked left and right, but no one was there.

Frowning, I closed the door again and went back to what I was doing. But before I could finish, the knocking returned; this time, it was more urgent.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

The rapid knocking irritated me. I sighed, set my comb down, took a deep breath, and yanked the door open for the second time.

Again, no one was there.

I stepped out slightly, glancing around to see if someone was pranking me, but everyone was busy, minding their own business. No one even seemed to notice what was happening. I knew Jayvee had gone back to sleep, so it couldn’t have been him.

Shaking my head, I closed the door once more and gathered my things. As I glanced at myself in the mirror, I suddenly saw a silhouette of a girl running behind me.

I spun around.

Nothing.

The restroom was empty.

My heart pounded slightly, but I forced myself to brush it off. Maybe I’m just imagining things. I zipped my pouch, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the restroom.

I was about to return to my seat, knowing Jayvee was waiting, when suddenly, a girl wearing shorts and an oversized shirt ran past me. She nearly bumped into me, making me stop in my tracks.

I turned quickly to see where she was going.

But she was gone.

I stood frozen for a moment, confused by what I had just witnessed. Maybe it’s just my imagination... right?

“Angel, come on,” Jayvee called, snapping me out of my thoughts. I hadn’t even realized he was awake and waiting for me.

“Are you okay?” he asked as I sat down beside him.

“Yes, I am,” I replied, though my mind was still stuck on the girl I had seen.

By then, Aimee and Camille had returned, carrying three family-sized pizzas: bacon overload, Hawaiian, and bacon with ham. They handed the boxes to Josh, who passed them to us, and I made sure to pass them along after taking my share. Soon, everyone was eating, including the driver, whom Aimee had generously treated.

“Thanks, Aimee,” I said, smiling at her.

She grinned back while chewing her pizza.

Despite the delay and Nestle’s earlier frustration, the delicious pizza seemed to lift everyone’s mood. Even Nestle, who had been visibly stressed about our late departure, was now quietly enjoying his slice.

After we finished eating, the driver turned on the radio, and Friends by Amii Stewart began to play. A smooth, comforting song, perfect for a night of travel. The soothing melody blended with the cool night air, making the atmosphere even more relaxing.

The bus lights were off, except for the dim glow near the driver’s seat and the headlights cutting through the darkness. Most of us were already resting, some asleep, others quietly scrolling through their phones. The cold from the bus air conditioning made the night even chillier, and before we knew it, it was already 10:30 P.M.

Noticing me shivering, Jayvee gently covered me with his blanket. Since he was wearing a jacket, he pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me to keep me warm. Within moments, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I smiled, feeling safe and comfortable in his embrace.

With one hand, I held my phone and texted my mom, checking in on her. She was home alone with Wolfie, our dog. Actually, Wolfie had been Dad’s dog before he passed away last year, and since then, he had stayed with us.

Nana Salve, my mom’s best friend, who had always treated me like her own daughter, was away visiting relatives in the province.

I reassured Mom not to worry, letting her know that I was doing fine. Jayvee will take care of me.

“Go to sleep now, Angel,” Jayvee murmured, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead when he noticed I was still awake, holding my phone.

“Yes, I will. I just need to finish texting Mom,” I replied with a smile. He was so sweet, it made me fall in love with him even more.

I felt lucky to have Jayvee, and that’s why I wanted to make sure he felt just as lucky to have me, too.

“I love you,” I whispered before kissing his cheek.

He didn’t say anything back, but the soft smile on his lips was more than enough.

I thought I was just using my phone, but I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep until it slipped from my hand and hit the floor. The soft thud jolted me awake.

Quickly, I reached down to pick it up, glancing at Jayvee to make sure I hadn’t disturbed him. Thankfully, he was still fast asleep.

I quietly stood up, placed my phone inside my bag, and was about to settle back into my seat when my eyes caught something outside the window.

Two men stood in the middle of the road.

One of them clutched his stomach, his face twisted in agony. Blood seeped between his fingers, staining his shirt, and his mouth dripped with it, too. The other man, covered in scars, held him up, trying to support him.

My breath hitched. What happened to them?

Before I could process it, the bus surged forward.

And ran them over.

My heart pounded. I squeezed my eyes shut, unwilling to see what came next.

Then—

SCREECH!

The bus jerked to a sudden stop, sending everyone lurching awake.

“I’m sorry, but I need to rest for a few minutes… My arms and legs are numb from the long drive,” the driver said, pulling the bus over to the side of the road before stepping outside.

My heart pounded as I turned to check what had happened to the two men we had just run over. I scanned the road, my eyes darting back and forth, searching desperately.

But they were gone.

It was as if they had never been there.

Through the window, I watched the driver stretch his arms and legs before pulling out a lighter and lighting a cigarette between his lips. He smoked casually, as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just run over two men.

Or… had he?

Just like the girl I had seen earlier, maybe those men were nothing but my imagination.

“Angel,” Jayvee murmured, his voice laced with sleep.

I turned to him as he shifted beside me.

“Why are you still awake?” he asked groggily.

I sank back into my seat. “Nothing… I just put my phone inside my bag.”

Jayvee sighed. “I told you to sleep,” he said softly.

I didn’t respond.

My mind was racing. I kept seeing things that I knew weren’t real. My brain felt too active, playing tricks on me, making me question what was real and what wasn’t.

Maybe I was just imagining everything.

At least, I hoped I was.

After a few moments, the driver returned, climbed back into his seat, and restarted the engine. The bus rumbled to life, and we were on the road again.

Jayvee wrapped me in his blanket and pulled me close, his warmth comforting against the chill of the air conditioning.

Even though I knew what I had seen wasn’t real, I still couldn’t shake the images from my mind. It had felt so real—too real.

I took a deep breath and shook my head, forcing myself to focus on what mattered. It was just my imagination. The bus didn’t run over anyone. If it had, there would’ve been a problem.

I let out a slow exhale and leaned into Jayvee.

The soft hum of the engine, the relaxing music playing in the background, and the icy breeze from the air conditioning created a peaceful atmosphere. Despite everything, the cold was comforting.

Maybe now, I could finally get some rest.

I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t. A strange feeling crept over me, like something was watching me. A shiver ran down my spine, fear gripping my chest.

I opened my eyes.

A white mist, shifting and curling like smoke, hovered above Jayvee. My breath hitched as the fog took on a human-like shape, its ghostly form covering Jayvee’s nose.

Panic surged through me. I got up from my seat, but it felt weird because I was still there. Sitting. Sleeping.

My heart pounded violently. My body was right beside Jayvee, but I was here, standing, watching myself.

What’s happening?!

Wide-eyed, I reached out, desperate to touch myself, to wake up—but my hands passed right through me.

I turned to Jayvee, reaching for him, but I couldn’t touch him either.

Terror consumed me.

I spun around, scanning the bus. My stomach dropped.

My friends and my colleagues were slumped in their seats, their bodies covered in wounds, soaked in blood. Not moving. Not breathing.

Are they… dead?

I turned back to Jayvee, my heart pounding against my ribs. He was covered in blood, too.

“No!” I screamed, but no sound escaped my lips.

Then, from the suffocating silence, a voice, cold and eerie, whispered my name.

“Irish.”

I froze. My breath caught in my throat.

I looked around frantically.

But there was no one there.

“Irish.”

The cold voice whispered my name again.

This time, I felt it.

A hand ice-cold and unyielding, wrapped around mine. A shudder ran through me as terror gripped my chest.

I slowly turned my head.

It was her.

The girl I had seen earlier, the one who had rushed past me. She stood before me now, wearing the same oversized shirt and shorts. But up close, she looked even worse, her body covered in bruises and wounds, her skin pale and lifeless.

She kept her head down, her grip tightening around my hand.

I tried to pull away... hard, but her fingers only clenched tighter.

“No,” I whispered, panic rising in my throat.

She began pulling me forward.

Not violently. Not forcefully.

But with purpose.

Like she needed to show me something. Like she was trying to tell me something.

And that terrified me even more.

“What is going on?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding in my chest.

She lifted her head.

Her eyes were cold, hollow, and full of sorrow, bored into mine.

She wasn’t just looking at me. She was pleading.

I yanked at my hand, desperate to break free, but her grip was like iron. No matter how hard I struggled, she wouldn’t let go.

I kept pulling, panic surging through me until, suddenly…

She let go.

And I fell.

The world blurred around me as I plummeted, my scream lost in the wind.

Then—impact.

I jolted awake, gasping for breath.

The bus… it was no longer on the road.

We were falling.

And as the chaos swallowed me, I saw her.

Hovering above me.

Watching.

And in that moment, I finally understood.