As Erik stepped out of his car, he was immediately engulfed by a profound sadness as he gazed at the large house in front of him. "Mia, I miss you so much," he whispered before pushing open the gate to drive the car into the yard.
He quickly parked his vehicle and as he got out, a tricycle pulled up in front of the house with Rosanna and Dahlia inside. "Erik, do you have any news about Mia?" Dahlia asked him immediately as they approached.
Erik had lost count of how many times he had heard the same question from the two of them. The truth is, it seemed like he woke up, lived, and returned home every day just to hear that same question over and over again.
With a sad shake of his head, Erik replied, "It seems like we have no other option, Erik. We really need to post on social media to find her," Rosanna said, her tone indicating that she was also running out of patience.
Erik sighed and shook his head once again. "I don't think it will be a good idea if we will consider Mia’s safety, Rosanna. It's risky, especially now that Bernie hasn't been caught yet. If we do that, he might track down Mia through that means, and I don't want that to happen, especially when I'm not by her side to watch over and protect her," he firmly refused.
The two fell silent after his response. For the past four months since Mia disappeared, Erik had thought about doing what Rosanna suggested many times. But along with Mia's disappearance came the news that Bernie had escaped from prison, which prevented him from taking such action. He knew that Mia could be in danger if they made a move of posting about Mia on social media.
"But Erik, time is running out," Dahlia insisted, expressing her concern.
"I know, Dahlia, I know. And I'm doing everything I can to find her, including working with the police on this case. So please, let's try to think straight, even though it's difficult. Let's not put anything about this on social media, especially now that Bernie hasn't been captured yet," he pleaded with them.
He only received their nods in response. After a while, the two bid their farewells and left. Erik, as he always did when he was left alone in the house, embraced the overwhelming sadness and longing that came with being separated from the woman he loved the most.
Just like he always did, he accustomed himself to the silence of the empty house. Many things had happened in the past months, and he couldn't say whether they were good or bad. Because the truth was, ever since Mia disappeared, he felt like he had lost the purpose to continue his life.
How could he not feel that way when half of his heart was missing? Because Mia had taken it with him.
"Oh God, please keep Mia safe from harm. Especially now that Bernie is still out there. Do not abandon her. Show me the path she took so I can find her," he whispered, sinking down on the edge of the soft bed.
He had been in that state for a while when he heard consecutive knocks on the door. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't even hear the gate make a sound as someone entered. He lazily got up to open the door, knowing exactly who it was. And he was not mistaken.
"Papa," he greeted Fidel as he opened the door.
Just like the previous nights, Fidel had a brown paper bag in his hand, and Erik knew exactly what it contained. It was food from his mother.
"Have you eaten? Your mother cooked your favorite, Sinigang na Bangus," he said with an enthusiastic tone.
Erik accepted the paper bag as Fidel handed it to him. Then he proceeded to enter and headed to the kitchen, where his father followed him.
"Any news, son?" Fidel asked, taking a seat at the table while Erik began arranging the food.
He shook his head, his gaze filled with sadness as he looked at Fidel. He heard his father release a heavy sigh before speaking again.
"I don't know what to feel about everything that's happening, son," Fidel said.
Erik sat at the table and started eating the food his father brought. He remained silent, not because he didn't want to comment on what Fidel said, but because he suddenly felt a pang of intense hunger.
"You're really hungry, son. Didn't you have lunch earlier?" Fidel asked, his tone laced with genuine concern.
"I ate, Papa, but just a burger. I had a lot of work to finish because I asked to leave early to search for Mia," he replied, which was partly true.
Fidel nodded before responding. "Please don't neglect yourself, son. I understand what you're going through, and I sympathize with you. But please consider your mother and me who worry about you."
With Fidel's last words, Erik felt that familiar pang that he always felt whenever his mother Aurora was mentioned.
"Are you still angry at your mother, son?" Fidel asked him.
To be honest, even he struggled to answer that question. Was he still angry at Aurora? He couldn't say for sure. It could be yes, and it could also be no.
If he was angry at her, he wouldn't accept the food she sent him. Because he wouldn't eat it. But his reaction was the opposite.
And if he wasn't angry at her, why was he uncomfortable talking about her? Why did he feel a sense of resentment whenever he heard her name? And why hadn't he visited her even though four months had passed since Mia disappeared?
Because he had no certainty about his true feelings, he chose not to answer. And secretly, he was thankful that his father didn't insist further.
"I'll go ahead. Take care here, son," Fidel emphasized as he accompanied him to the gate.
Erik nodded. "Thank you, Papa. Are you sure you don't want me to drive you home?" he asked further.
"It's not necessary. It's still early, so you have nothing to worry about," he reassured before turning away.
*****
Just as she always did since she arrived there, Mia woke up early to prepare breakfast. During those moments, Nanny Ising was busy sweeping the front yard and watering the plants.
Nanny Ising had a small convenience store. To prepare for her upcoming childbirth, she asked the old lady if she could sell snacks there in the afternoons, especially during the hot summer when halo-halo was in demand. Nanny Ising agreed, much to her gratitude.
"Nanny Ising, shall we eat now?" Mia called to the old lady, whom she noticed was finishing her tasks.
Nanny Ising turned and smiled at her. "I'll be right there. I just need to put away the things I used," she replied.
"Isn't it your check-up schedule today?" Nanny Ising asked as they both ate breakfast.
Mia nodded. "I can go by myself. I'm okay, really," she said.
She knew what Nanny Ising was thinking at that moment. The old lady wanted her to bring along her nephew, Nathaniel. He is years older than Mia and worked as a college instructor at the most renowned private university in town.
"Wait for Nathaniel so you'll have company. Besides, your doctor's appointment is at three o'clock. By two o'clock, he will be here," the old woman insisted.
Mia shook her head repeatedly. "No, Nanny Ising. I can manage on my own," she refused.
"Listen to me, Mia. Wait for him because it's better than walking alone," Nanny Ising insisted again.
From the tone of Nanny Ising's voice, Mia knew she had no choice. So in the end, she agreed to go along with what the old lady wanted.