Farewell from a Departed

Biboy grew up very close to his grandfather, Tatay Melecio. When he was still 8 years old, he used to go with the old man everywhere he goes, may it on his fishing trips, his farming or his visits to the market. And he used to tell the lad long, believe-it-or not tales, about persons with supernatural powers and encounters with the other kind. They had some plenty of memories together.

Tatay Melecio was born even before the Philippines declared independence from Spain. He was not really the recluse or the mystical kind who barely talks to anyone or move objects telekinetically. He’s quite talkative to Biboy and to the other kids. And he proudly said he knew some Latin chants to counter the works of evil magic. He had no magical object to show except for his pipe which he considered as his lucky charm. At seventy, he’s still strong and healthy.

In one of their conversations one day, they talked about death. They made a promise to each other that whoever dies first should at least say goodbye to the one left behind. Biboy had no qualms about it, so he hastily agreed. He was still a child then not knowing how it would happen.

More than 20 years had passed and the two were separated from each other. Biboy studied in the city, eventually found work, then got married and had kids. One night, after coming home from work very tired, he immediately went to sleep. And there in his slumber, he felt a sudden slap of a very cold air. Then a voice, very audible to him, said, “Biboy, I’ll go ahead. Goodbye!” He felt the stiffness of his body. He could not move his hands. But to him, the voice was clearly that of Tatay Melecio. His thoughts immediately brought him back to the scene where he and the old man made the promise.

Biboy got back his reflexes minutes after and woke up like he had a nightmare without the screams. It was already 5am. His wife got up to check on him. He asked for water and seems like he was on a chase. Then he told her of his dream and he concluded that Tatay Melecio died already.

“How did you know?” she asked.

“Tatay spoke to me in my sleep. We made a promise years ago..”

The wife was clearly puzzled but didn’t ask further questions. She wiped the sweat from her husbands face. He also informed his mother, the daughter of Tatay Melecio, about it. She was shocked and even scolded Biboy. “How can you say that about your grandfather? You haven’t even seen him in months.”

“Yeah, I know he’s bed-ridden. But please believe me. Vivian (a cousin who took care of Tatay), will come this morning and inform us. I’ll call the other grandchildren when I arrive at the office.” Biboy insisted.

The mother was silent. They have not seen the old man for months and they knew he was sick. It was just that they had no time to visit him. This news bothered her but she just waited.

Indeed, three hours after, Vivian arrived and brought the sad news. The wife and the mother just looked at each other, still puzzled at how Biboy was able to know about the old man’s death.