“ First, when he got here, things were a little strange. He was acting a little strange.” Grandma explained.

“What do you mean by “strange” grandma?” I asked

“Well, he kept on saying the word “Mask, Mask” all over. Later, he started demanding for money and had later threatened me.” She continued.

“WHAT!!!!!” I exclaimed and interrupted, “ I’m sorry, please continue.”

“ As I was saying. Later that day, he was completely quiet to the point that everyone in the house was scared of him. In fact, that’s why your aunt Lisa left and decided to live on her own. She thought he was going crazy that he needed to go to a phycological hospital. She warned and warned us that she was sure he was going to try and kill all of us. She went as far as to say that after killing all of us, he would then go back and kill his wife and his only son. As time passed by, six months passed. Finally, he spoke and told us he was going to the nearest pharmacy close to us. Saying that he had a stomach ache. I myself was very glad to hear him speak again. This is a very complicated story, so please bear with me.” She chuckled, trying her best to hide her pain inside, “Anyway, as I was saying, The next morning, around 8:37, I was sweeping the balcony when I heard your aunt Maria scream. I quickly rushed to the scene and found a leg detached and in front of the doorway. It felt like a dream. To be honest, I didn’t want to see whose leg it was. But, I had to face reality. I saw that my youngest daughter was on the floor weeping and wailing. For some reason, I felt a sharp pain in my chest, leg, and then my eyes. Suddenly, I began to cry. With tears in my eyes, I looked up to see who it was that just cut the leg of my daughter. It was your dad Rafael, your father, David. I cou…”

“Th...That’s impossible, my father would never even touch a fly or cause harm to it talkless of chopping his own flesh and blood’s leg off. My dad would never do that!!” I interrupted angrily.

“ That’s right!! The man I married would never intentionally cause harm to someone. Maybe you saw something else ma*.” My mom also said firmly.

“ I know that it may be hard for you to believe, but your husband really hurt his sister,” Grandma replied softly, trying to ease the pain and frustration as much as she could. “Anyways, as I was saying, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Your sister just came in and just told me about the engagement. I was absolutely delighted! Finally, another of my daughter was going to get married. That thought kept on running through my head. I couldn’t still process what I just saw. Honestly, it’s hard for a mother to believe that their son just hurt someone. Normally, you would try to find an excuse to convince yourself that that is not your child or that he or she had a good reason. But a good mother would try to ignore all those impulses and do the right thing. Also, I…”

“Mother, what is your point?” my mom interrupted.

“ Sorry, I just made a whole speech. After that accident, I tried to reason with him. I kept on asking him ‘Why? Why? Why did you do this to your sister!? You know she will get married soon. So why!? Why!? Come on tell me. Say something.’ He just stood there acting like everything was ‘A’okay’. Later on, he started a killing spree and even tried to kill me. I was able to run and drag Maria out of the scene so that I could bandage her up. Ever on hid in the storage room. The only person bold enough to face him was your aunt Rose ( The one who picked them up from the airport.) That’s why she has that huge scar on her face and all over her body. It’s just her clothes covering it. Didn’t you notice that she doesn’t wear short sleeves anymore? She barely got away. After about two days later, the neighbours brought news that they found his body by the beach.” She explained.

Suddenly, mom started hyperventilating. Grandma said the news too fast and natural. Like it was nothing.

“ Mom, Mom, are you ok? Calm down please.” I knew that I sounded calm, but, I tried to hide my own pain so that I would make my mom feel better. She had asthma, so I had to calm her down so she wouldn’t have an attack.

“Grandma, please continue,” I said

“After the news, we buried him immediately. If you want to see his grave, I can take you to it.” She offered.

“ Grandma, mom needs to calm down first, I’ll go instead.”

After all these months waiting for him, almost a year, I find out he’s dead. Just like that. How am I suppose to take that news? I know I was never really close to my dad, but my mother loved him so much, but, so did he.

At the Grave yard, when we found the grave, it was… “HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!” Grandma screamed.

What happened at the Grave Yard that shocked Grandma so much?

* Honorifics for those older.