by Rona Go
Hugh wiped the remaining smirk off his face and became serious. "I found you right?" he murmured in a soft voice which Jonah couldn't even hear clearly.
"Huh?' Jonah asked.
"I was asking why not?" Hugh said, changing the subject quickly.
"I don't know!" Jonah replied. "I don't know why."
Hugh held Jonah's gaze for long before he said, "You know why. You are just not convinced why." He took her hand and dug for the habak from his jean pocket.
Jonah giggled uncomfortably, blushing at the same time. She consciously wriggled her hand out of Hugh's grasp. Then she said, "Enough of this jargon. Got to go, Hugh. Later, okay?"
"Later," Hugh answered back. With this Jonah slipped out of the building towards her parked car.
"This will have to wait," Hugh said out loud, fingering the habak in his pocket. He took it out and admired its exquisiteness. He found a jeweler who made it whole again. He even had to pay more than he expected for the rush job the jeweler made to complete the belly chain. However, he arrived at the conclusion that the jewelry had been fixed but Jonah was still broken. "Broken but more exquisite," he added. And nothing was more important at that moment for Hugh but to see Jonah whole again. But it was no rush job. And he could wait.
As restlessness took Xavier over again, he stood up yet for what seemed like the thousandth time and went to stand by the door. There was no more expectation on his end nor was there agitation. There was only numbness—the kind which he had rehearsed for so many times when the issue of his illness was brought up.
So, she isn't coming this time, eh? Xavier said to himself. He paused for a moment by the door. Looking back at the altar, he just shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as he placed his mask back in place. He walked to where Lucas was waiting in the car. Hugh was nowhere in sight.
As the driver opened the passenger door for Xavier, the man said, "Sir Hugh said he has to be some place else."
There was no excuse why Xavier had to bring Hugh along with him. Xavier made up the suggestion that Hugh can give Jonah the habak. However, in truth, it was a mixture of Xavier's own selfishness, jealousy and perhaps goodwill that he told Hugh to come along.
Xavier couldn't even fathom his own reasoning. While Xavier knew that Jonah and Hugh were building up a connection of some sort and he didn't like it a bit, he also wanted both to be connected—just in case he died in the end.
It was crazy. But with Xavier's inevitable death, there was no one he considered he would rather desire to be by Jonah's side but Hugh.
"Sir Hugh also asked me to tell you that women usually go back to the same place all over again," Lucas said. "He said something about their being the sentimental type. I have to agree. They remember details and dates and important places and link everything else. It's insane. But they do. And when we don't remember, we don't care. We're nothing but insensitive jerks."
Xavier laughed out loud as Hugh's message registered in his head. Of course, it had to be the balcony. Xavier and Jonah frequented the balcony of the Church.
Xavier was dumbfounded, he could not speak immediately. A soft jolt awakened something inside his chest that breathing seemed easier. Luckily, he was wearing the mask to cover most of his face that Lucas did not see the tear or two which unexpectedly squeezed through his eyes while a thin smile spread through his lips. Never had he associated joy to tears and yet he realized he was joyful knowing she showed up even if he did not get to see her.
"It looks like the young Ms. did not stay that long," Lucas said, oblivious to Xavier's reaction. "Glad you two get to talk again. Yet, everything is not that alright yet, right, Sir Xavier? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—" He broke off in mid-sentence, looking embarrassed. He let Xavier in and quickly rounded the car to the driver's seat without another word.
"Lucas, drive me to the Blood's place," Xavier mumbled not really sure whether the driver heard him or not.
The driver turned around from the driver's seat, looking mortified. "But Sir Xavier, the place is cursed. And the Madam has specifically instructed me not to let you go there," he said.
"That has changed, Lucas!" Xavier said. "You can even ask the Madam about it when we reach home if you like."
As they drove off, Xavier knew he'd have to face the wrath of Jonah's sisters… and perhaps the curse of her witch-aunt. It was like a death wish on his part.
I am dying anyway…so who cares? He thought offhandedly. He got his phone and sent Jonah a message.
Wil b @ ur place. Hope to c u ds tym.
Chapter 18
The Visit to the Hospital
"Oh, you owe me big this time," Jervais chuckled.
Jonah and Jervais just arrived at the hospital where Jemmah was confined.
"I know—" Jonah said, shaking her whole body to stop the quivering. "But please don't remind me about it every minute for the rest of my life."
"I can't help it," Jervais replied, her smile even widening. "For the first time, I am actually enjoying this. This is more exciting than your mother's death and the witch's hunt."
For a moment, Jonah resented her impulsive decision to meet Xavier at the Church. To top it off, she had to ask Jervais to drive her there before proceeding to the hospital. Although, Jonah's older sister did not know at a cursory level why Jonah decided to drop by the Church, her reaction was a dead give away even before they caught a glimpse of Xavier just outside the Church supposedly waiting for her. Jonah had to make up the excuse of putting an end to the whole thing and Jervais had to agree.
Jonah even regretted big time that she did not talk to the guy once and for all to end the whole thing. It just revealed to her she was still very much into him to let go. When she tried to peek inside the Church and saw him on his knees—she thought there was no holding her back from throwing herself all over him. Fortunately though, she was reminded of Xavier's mother and Xavier's pain…her love…and perhaps her letting go of him as a sacrifice.
But in the end, Jonah couldn't do it… She just ran away. And it was a bad choice.
Why can't people let go of silly things like the past so easily? For a moment, the thought had provoked her when she saw Xavier. She was willing not to listen to her rationalization. And yet, her feet… her whole body had trembled when she tried to take a step towards him. She felt weak all over. It was strange—but she had felt Xavier's own weakness and emptiness.
Jonah and Jervais didn't have to ask where Jemmah's room was. Brice had been standing near the information desk and had seen them first. "Where have you two been?" Brice demanded."You drove ahead of me, remember?"
"We explored on a quicker route only to get stuck in traffic," Jervais fibbed. "So, what happened? How's Jemmah?"
"Oh, you won't believe the drama there—" Brice began. "I had to leave. The room was supercharged. Jane and Jenssen are up there."
"Drama? Why? What's going on?" Jonah asked. The atmosphere became too heavy for her. She felt like the heat had gone up, making her breathing difficult. Even the scent that went inside her was unbearable. Before anybody could reply, she uttered, "I think I really need to get out of here. I am not feeling well."
"Then, why do you need to go out—this is just the right place to belong to when you feel ill," Jervais argued.
"I feel weak in here. I don't like hospitals," Jonah shot back.
"Ditto!" Brice said. "I need to smoke anyway. This is a non-smoking area." He led the way outside.
Just outside the building, Brice stopped suddenly and the two girls almost collided with him.
"Brice," Jervais complained. "You can't just do that!"
"Well, it just occurred to me that our Juliet here probably has seen Romeo on the way here," he said, his face widening into a mischievous smile. "Am I right or am I right? I get it now, every time you do not feel well, it has something to do with the dying Romeo. Jane had mentioned about the state she found you in the Church and suddenly Romeo appeared." He chuckled out loud.
"It's exciting, right?" Jer
vais said.
"Jervais!" Jonah said exasperatedly.
Brice started to light his cigarette. "Hey, we're family here. No need to be embarrassed."
Just then, Jonah's phone alarmed for an incoming message. It was Xavier.
"You just saw each other, remember?" Jervais reminded her.
"He's going to our place," Jonah said nervously. "The guy is nuts! If he sees Aunt Judith there, he'll be dead before his time."
"You're exaggerating!" Brice said. "Aunt Judith couldn't hurt him. She doesn't eat sick boys. Besides, she and Jerone had to go to the police station for identification."
"Police station?" Jervais asked.
Brice took a puff of his cigarette and blew it off. The smoke lingered for a while before it thinly disappeared into the air. Amidst, his wide-eyed and impatient audience, he smirked just a bit before he said, "The brakes on Jemmah's car were tampered with by a guy who claimed a wealthy-looking woman, all in white, with long black hair down to her waist, bribed him to do it. That's why Jemmah had an accident. Luckily, she only got a broken neck."
A strange sensation ran up Jonah's right arm up to her shoulder. For a moment, she had totally forgotten about Xavier and his message to see her at home and the possible confrontation he may have with the rest of her family. She was disconcerted with the image of Rebecca…so alive and haunting.
"The woman sounds like your mother," Jervais whispered looking horrified. "Just like the kind of thing she's capable of doing, too."
"Shut up, Jervais!" Brice said. "You are freaking me out."
"I think we should all stick together this time," Jonah suggested. "Let's go up to Jemmah's room where the others are."
"You scared?" Jervais asked.
"I am," Brice quickly answered. "I mean who wouldn't be? Even Jane is going nuts." He looked at Jonah and addressed her, "What about your Romeo?"
"Well, I wouldn't want to go home alone now!" Jonah replied.
"Well, I can go with you," Jervais told her.
"Not even with you," Jonah said.
"A woman in love will act senselessly and would rather face a killer-ghost than to let her lover go without seeing him," Jervais said. "It's only then when you two can be together again."
"What if that would never happen?" Brice asked throwing his half-consumed cigarette on the ground before stepping into it. "He could die before she could face an unknown killer on the loose."
Jonah had the feeling of déjà vu. Somehow, the conversation was very familiar to her. Even the same queer sensation was back, as she felt it running through her nape towards the back of her head. However, it no longer felt familiar as she sensed someone staring at her from behind. But when she turned there was nobody there.
But the lingering and very distinctive menthol scent flowed through the air. There was no doubt in her mind that the scent could only belong to Rebecca's unwanted guest—Xavier's Aunt Gilda.
Jonah scanned the whole area a second time just in time to see the tail of a black car that looked very familiar. Although, she couldn't be certain, the car seemed to belong to Rebecca. Jonah grabbed Jervais' arm and almost dragged her back inside the hospital, "Let's go in, I don't feel safe here!" Jonah cried out urgently. Jonah's other two siblings nodded in agreement.
Brice, Jervais and Jonah traced their way back to the hospital to the intensive care unit where Jemmah was.
"I thought she only had a broken neck," Jervais told Brice. "Why are we headed to the intensive care unit?"
"She's in a coma," Brice answered. "With a broken neck. She's under observation until now. Although, the doctors said her vital signs are okay, whatever they mean by that."
"Oh!" Jervais simply replied.
The three passed through hallway after hallway with Brice leading the way and Jonah coming in last, holding on to Jervais' hand.
Jonah's eyes seemed to be playing tricks on her. Everywhere she looked she could see glowing colors of different hues. The glow was hurting her eyes like smoke. She was tempted to stop from walking and squeezing her eyes shot.
And so Jonah did stop. Jervais had to pause as well.
"What now?" Jervais demanded looking impatient.
"My eyes," Jonah said. "They hurt. You go ahead! Will be right behind you."
"No, not without you!" Jervais said and called out to Brice who had gone ahead of them a couple of meters away.
Jonah bent down and placed both her hands on her knees. Then, she stood to her full height again and stretched. She had never felt so exhausted before. Coupled with the heat on her eyes, she was feeling feverish all of a sudden.
Then, a door to her left opened just a cracked. Jonah was caught off guard. A movement from the corner of her eye of a dark, shadowy thing creeping up from the floor heading upward to what looked like a human figure beside the bed jerked her to look inside the room. When Jonah was looking directly, there was no shadowy thing. However, she could see a part of a woman who was seated near what looked the patient's bed.
The smite… Jonah recalled.
The woman caught Jonah's eyes, gave her a slight nod, stood up and closed the door behind her. Jonah was about to move forward when her knees gave away and she fell flat on the floor.
The next thing Jonah noticed, Jervais was on her side helping her up.
"What's the matter with you?" Jervais asked worriedly.
"I tripped," Jonah said. "That's all!"
"No you didn't," Jervais insisted. "You were not moving, how can you trip? You just fell over."
"I skipped breakfast and had no lunch, Jervais," Jonah replied. "What do you expect?"
"Then, let's get you to Jemmah's room. I am pretty sure you can munch on something there," Jervais said, supporting Jonah by the arm.
"What happened?" Brice asked upon reaching Jonah and Jervais. "Did you just collapse?"
"Of course not!" Jonah said.
"Move you two," Jervais commanded. And the three continued walking down to Jemmah's room.
The room had a visitor's lounge adjacent to the main room where Jemmah was. Glass paneling separated both rooms apart from each. But from the lounge, anybody can see that Jemmah was lying unconscious on the bed with a lot of gadgets stuck to her mouth and arms. The neck brace was also visible. Only one or two visitors were allowed inside the main room.
Jane was seated on the couch, with her head on top of her two clasped hands. She appeared to be sleeping. But when she heard the footsteps of Brice, Jonah and Jervais, she looked up and greeted them with a smile.
Jonah quickly sat on the couch next to Jane and became still. The movement of the smite was too quick for her to handle as she spotted them again right in the visitor's lounge. She stood up and peered through the room where Jemmah was. She looked to her side and became still. She waited to see the smite but there was none. But when she looked back to where Jane, Jervais and Brice were, the smite were appearing from everywhere around them.
The sight of Aunt Judith here is most welcoming…Jonah thought. She would know how to handle this.
Jonah joined the group looking for anything that can deter the smite. The only thing she recalled was how Aunt Judith reprimanded Jervais for being childish at the time the smite appeared in their house.
"Act childish, Jervais!" Jonah croaked. Her voice almost did not sound right to her ear. She knew it was a strange request, but her Aunt Judith had once mentioned it could come handy at times.
Jervais went near Jonah and felt her forehead. "Did you bump your head when you fell off or something? Should we call for someone to check you up? This is weirder than weird."
"Oh, I am alright. I just remembered Aunt Judith telling you to continue being childish for it has its benefits sometimes. I guess I was just thinking out loud and it slipped," Jonah said, her face turning hotter than her eyes.
"Aunt Judith has that kind of effect on people you know. They get spooked long after their encounter with the woman," Brice chimed in."You should cross over something burning to get her out of your
system."
Jervais laughed out loud. "I would say you have become a healer, Brice!"
"It is in my gay blood," Brice said and bowed to his imaginary audience. "Remind me later, Jonah. When I smoke, you have to cross over my cigarette."
"Very funny," Jonah replied and grinned. From the corner of her eye, she could see that the smite was slowly disappearing and the air was thinning. She figured it was probably better than being attacked at all. Not that she could imagine what would happen if the smite attacked someone.
"Enough of that, why don't you two say hello to your sister," Jane urged Brice and Jervais to see Jemmah inside. "The doctors recommend letting Jemmah hear our voices."
When Brice and Jervais left the lounge, Jane took Jonah aside and whispered, "When you left the house, did you still see the habak on my drawer? I didn't have time to check it."
"Yeah, it's still there," Jonah answered. "But we need to hide it, Jane!"
Chapter 19
Stolen
When Jane announced she had to get a few of her personal necessities at home, after offering to watch over Jemmah the whole night through, Jonah had narrowly escaped Jervais and Brice's knowing smiles when she volunteered to drive Jane home.
"I hope Jane can fight off the killer ghost," Jervais whispered in her ear.
"I hope Romeo can fight off your killer Aunt," Brice jested in her other ear.
"Shut up, you guys!" Jonah warned, motioning for Jervais to hand her the keys.
Although, Jonah had sent Xavier a message to see him the next day in Church instead, she still got the feeling that Xavier was at her place and being stubborn. Without confirmation from him, Jonah was certain he was waiting for her at her house.
The drive to the Blood house was tensed-filled. Jane was unlike herself. She was looking upset and at the same time in an introspective mood. Jonah had to fight the urge to create a sound inside the car. Even turning the cd player on did not seem appropriate at the moment. And yet, she was itching to hear something other than her own thoughts.
Jonah finally broke the silence. "Jane, are you alright?"
