The very first night by the beach and the family decided to spend it on having a small gathering around a bonfire.

It took them hours to set up and actually settle in their hotel rooms before enjoying their time by the beach. It was all worth it though, as they dug their toes deeper in the velvety sand and watched the fire crackle and dance whilst the flame tried to lick upon the heavens above.

It gave off a warm glow, and all around it the Marcos family huddled; sticks gently shoving through the flames and watched their marshmallows melt.

Greggy, Irene, Amaris, and both her brothers; sat by each other. Like the family they were. Beside them was Imee and her own three sons, followed by Bonget and his family.

Catrina was forced to sit beside Mama Meldy, she didn't mind. She loves the company of the older woman, though. . .not when she was faced by Irene and Amaris cuddling closely to each other—that's where she got distracted and couldn't focus on whatever stories Imelda was spewing.

Her hand was on her chin, staring intently at how the fire danced; hoping it'd distract her with whatever was on her mind.

To somehow lift everyone's spirits up, despite it quite doing just that, Sandro suggested to play a little game. A game of twenty questions or some sort. The reason was for them to get to know each other a lot more than they already know. After all, this was the purpose of the trip. So they couldn't disagree.

"Wait why not spin the bottle? Look, tito Greggy and tito Bonget finished one bottle of beer already. We could use that." Michael inquired, pointing to the amber-colored bottle by both the uncle's feet.

"Oh, yeah! Good idea!" Vinny joined, much excited as everyone else was. The adults could only exchange glances, not knowing what exactly the kids were doing. They watched as Sandro quickly took the bottle and set on the ground, lying down, making sure it won't tip over accidentally.

"Right! Gather around everyone!" He exclaimed; fingers readily clutching the bottle whilst glancing back at everyone who followed his orders.

"Spin it!" Luis shouted, getting giddy with the game. It was mostly the nephews and Amaris who played. The adults just kept watch, and occasionally would join if the bottle did point at them.

Catrina and Imelda was by the corner, and quiet was the young girl. Of course, Imelda noticed. Even earlier when they've arrived, the girl wasn't feeling her self. It's as if the life was just sucked out of her. And to think about it deeply, she was feeling sick almost every week. Not your typical flu however, she's either passing out or too weak to even stand or in her many cases. . .eat.

"Why don't you join them, hija?" Imelda was just staring at her intently. The girl sent her a small smile and shook her head, to which she raised a brow.

"Dito lang po ako, mama Meldy. Hindi ko naman po alam kung paano 'yan lalaruin. . ." Despite her smiling, it quite never reached her eyes. The gleam in her eyes was dull. Imelda won't show it, but she was indeed getting worried.

"Are you sure? I'll just bore you with my stories." The older woman tried to persuade, and guesses were. . .that had been loud enough for Imee to turn her gaze towards them. The sister nudged her younger sister, hoping she'd get what her eyes were pointing to without saying anything.

"Yes po, at tsaka hindi naman po boring yung mga stories niyo." The same, plastered smile was on her face. Then, as quickly as she put them on, as quickly they disappear. Both Imee and Irene saw the exchange between their mother and the young girl. Even they, couldn't deny the fact that Catrina wasn't herself today. Perhaps it was the weather. . .though, they've been blaming that since last week when she went through the same thing.

"Puntahan mo kaya. . .talk to her, I'll keep mommy company for the meantime." Imee observed. She kept casting worried glances towards Catrina, and Irene was fortunate to obliged.

With careful steps, Irene approached the young girl. Sending a knowing glance towards her mother in the process. Imelda understood almost immediately and gave her daughter a subtle nod.

"Hey Cat. . .?" Irene started, a warm smile on her face. "Pwede ba tayong mag-usap?" She tried her very best not to sound intimidating as to not scare the girl away. And despite her bodacious efforts; fear still overtook the young girl's features.

"P-po? Tungkol. . .tungkol po s-saan?" Catrina clearly thinks she has done something wrong. I mean that's the only way to put it, considering she had this mindset from the moment she learned how to talk. Something was always her fault.

"Just. . .anything. Gusto lang kita makausap." As if on cue, Imelda stood and walked over to Imee. She gave the seat to Irene so the woman can casually sit down beside the young girl. The rest was distracted on the kids playing the game to notice anything happening behind them.

"Don't think na you did something wrong ha, no. . .it's not like that. I just want to talk to you, is that okay?"

Hearing those words leave the woman's mouth somehow did it for Catrina. A visible, relieved sigh escaped her own before she went quiet once more. All she needed was the confirmation that it wasn't, in fact, her fault. Even though she didn't do anything at all. It just feels wrong to not assume immediately.

"Is that a yes?" Irene asked, noting the silence. She just nodded, knowing Catrina couldn't do anything about it anyway. Irene did realize that they haven't talked in weeks. I mean they did, but not as close as they were before. . .and she might have a knack as to why.

"I'll take that as a yes."

They were far enough for anyone to not hear them, but they were close enough for the rest to see. And from across, Imee could only smile at the close proximity the two had.

"So," Irene began, looking out towards the sea before looking down at the young girl once more. "How are you?" Catrina had her head down, gently kicking away sand with her toes. Irene was quite amused with this.

"Mabuti naman po. Pagod. . .pero mabuti." Catrina whispered the last part. She doubted Irene's hearing skills as the woman quite literally heard it; perfectly clear. For some reason, she left it on deaf ears. "Ikaw tita? Kamusta ka?" She looked up to face Irene, the twinkle in her eye captured Irene immediately.

"I'm. . ." She breathed. "I'm actually happy." The smiled that followed was like a pierce through her heart. Catrina stared for a moment, she looked into Irene's eyes. Before she looked down once more.

"I got my daughter back, my two sons came home. . .and now us having a family trip. Yeah, I'd say I'm doing good." Irene added. Oblivious that everything she just said kept choking Catrina's insides.

That word. Family. It sounded so foreign now. Is she even still part of it? Was she ever like that? Does she actually have that? All these questions seemed so impossible to find an answer to.

It felt as though she was going insane. . .the path of finding her real family or the road to squeezing herself in where she's not supposed to; ripped her thoughts to shreds.

Tila napansin ni Irene na mas natahimik si Catrina pagkatapos ng kanyang pahayag. Kaya sinubukan ni Irene na maghanap ng pag-uusapan nila. . .kung saan mas komportable si Catrina sa paglahad.

She knows the girl was keeping her emotions away from her. Alam na alam ni Irene na hindi totoo ang nilalahad ng bata na mga ngiti o 'di kaya mga magagandang salita.

"Catrina." Irene's voice was stern, enough for the girl to go rigid. "Ano ba talaga ang nararamdaman mo, hija?"

Catrina was about to reply, but Irene raced her to it once more. "Don't lie to me. Ayaw na ayaw ko sa sinungaling. . ."

That's when her lips pursed. She gazed at the ground; even tried counting the sand beneath just to distract herself from crying. Catrina doesn't want to cry. She doesn't want to ruin this trip. Masyado na siyang naging istorbo sa pamilya nila.

She bit the insides of her cheeks, feeling the hot tears gathering in her waterline.

Irene peered over, she noticed and quickly gave the young girl the tightest hug she could ever give. That's when Irene heard it. It was so soft to the point that it blended with the howls of the wind. But it took merely seconds for her to recognize the painful sobs Catrina let out.

"Alam kong may pinagdadaanan ka. . ." Irene caressed her hair, letting the girl cry on her shoulder. "Pero please, Catrina. Don't hide it from us. Please don't keep it to yourself. . .nandito kami oh."

Even her cries weren't loud. Her cries of pain should be as thunderous as the storm that rages. . .it should be as powerful as earthquakes that split mountains. And yet. . .hers was merely an echo. A weakened whisper. It goes to show how hidden she was as a person.

Hidden and silent. Not even the beat of a butterfly's wing could compete with the quietness of her heart.

"Nandito lang kami Catrina. Nandito lang si tita mo. . .I would wait until you're ready. I would wait until you feel whole again." Irene tried her very best to wipe away her own tears. She doesn't know the reason why. But she felt like crying with the girl. She felt their hearts connect. . .she felt the baggage the girl carried. . .and decided to carry it with her.

"But please. . .please, Catrina. Let me help you. Let me understand, sweetheart. Let me make you happy again." Irene cradled her closely. By now, their backs were turned from the others for the woman knew Catrina hated seeing the others worry.

"Nasasaktan akong makita kang nasasaktan din. . ." Irene kept rubbing her back, caressing her hair and what not, just to urge the girl to be calm.

Catrina's mouth never made noises except for occasional whimpers. . .but other than that, she was completely communicating in tears.

". . .tita." Irene perked up, hearing her voice. "Hin. . .nn, hindi k-ko na po—"

Irene cut her off with a shush. "Kaya mo. Kaya mo, Catrina. I've never met anyone stronger than you. . .and we have eight boys in the family. I don't say this often."

Catrina recovered. She really did. But then she was hit with the bad reality. And once more, hot tears poured from her cheeks. She can't open up no matter how hard she tried. She just can't. Not right now.

". . .h-hindi ko pa po kayang sabihin eh. S-sana maintindihan niyo po."

Irene pulled away from their embrace, leaving Catrina bare and cold. At least that's what she felt.

"Of course. Of course I understand. Pero pakiusap, darling. . .sana, kung komportable kana, 'wag mong uulitin na magtago ha? Lahat kami nag alala sayo these past few weeks."

Tears brimmed in her eyes. Catrina was about to answer when Irene felt someone tap her by the shoulders. And as quickly as she could, Catrina looked away and wiped her face. As if nothing ever happened.

Amaris stood behind her mother, the look of pure spite and seething eyes gazed back at Catrina. Before turning into faux joy once she faced Irene.

"Mommy, come on! Join us!" She pulled Irene's arm. Tugging at her sleeves for the woman to stand whilst casually sending glares towards Catrina.

"U-uh. . .not now, anak. I'm still talking to Catrina. . ."

"—but mom! That can wait later! This game won't kaya halika na. . ." Amaris pleaded, adapting sparkles in her eyes. "Please? Sige na mommy. . ."

Irene bit her lip then glanced back at Catrina who has her head down. She was quiet. Like before, she went back to being silent, despite a few tears that came down. Catrina quickly wiped it away before anyone could see though.

"Sige na, tita. Okay lang ako dito. . .kailangan ka ng anak mo." Catrina sent the most believable smile she could muster, towards Irene. Her eyes were tainted pink, pero hindi gaano halata na umiyak siya.

"Are you sure?" Irene's worried glance didn't go unnoticed by both Amaris and Catrina. Tumango na lamang ang bata, kaya wala nang nagawa si Irene kundi sundin yung anak niya. ". . .if you say so."

Catrina watched them leave. And for a moment, she just let the wind dry her tears away.