After his breakfast, Gael told Aunt Sylvia that he was going to the cemetery to visit his parents' graves. The public cemetery was about five kilometers away from his aunt's house, so he borrowed Roan's motorcycle. Before leaving, he also bought a candle from a department store in their neighborhood to bring to the grave.
While driving, he felt the sun's heat hitting his skin. He remembered the last time he visited his parents' graves, almost seven years ago. Much had changed since then, including himself.
When he arrived at the cemetery, he immediately searched for his parents' graves. But because it had been so long since his last visit, he had trouble finding their resting place. As he walked among the graves, his forehead was drenched in sweat, and even though it was only nine in the morning, the sun was already too hot.
After a few minutes of searching, he finally found what he was looking for. Standing in front of his parents' grave, he felt as though he had gone back in time. He took out the candle and lit it, and in the silence of the cemetery, he prayed. At that moment, he felt the weight of his heart gradually lightening, as if he was communicating with his parents even though they were no longer there.
"Mom, Dad, I missed you so much," Gael said, with the corners of his eyes warm. He looked up to stop the tears that were welling up.
"Your only child has grown up; I'm an engineer now," he said, wiping his eyes. "I hope I made you proud. I hope you're happy in heaven because I miss you both so much."
Tears welled up again as he thought about the memories of his childhood with his parents. "So much has happened, Mom, Dad. I've achieved so many dreams because of you. I always think of you with every success and every challenge I've faced."
He touched the gravestone and whispered, "You have been my inspiration through it all. Every bit of hardship and effort was worth it because I know you're proud of me. I miss your hugs, your laughter, and our stories together. I wish you were here to share in every milestone I've reached."
"You are not forgotten in my heart and mind. I always carry the lessons and love you gave me. Rest peacefully there, and I promise I will continue everything we started."
He stood in front of the grave, bowing his head and praying again .He felt the heaviness of his emotions, but with it, his heart lightened because he knew that even though they were no longer by his side, their love and guidance were still with him.
Under the intense sunlight, Gael felt the heat soaking into his skin, but then he was suddenly struck by a cold breeze. He stood up, scanning his surroundings. The cemetery was completely alone, very quiet, and he didn't hear even a single bird chirping. It was just like it was seven years ago when he last visited. Surrounded by trees with rows of tall wooden ones in the middle, but the area where his parents lay was without any shade, making the heat worse. But the strange coldness that wrapped around him was disturbing.
"Is that you?" he whispered to his parents' grave. "I feel your presence," he said with a smile. But suddenly the intense sunlight returned. Then, he noticed a man—tall, and it seemed they were of the same height, and from his observation, the man was probably around his age. 
There was something about the way he moved that struck Gael deeply. He looked vaguely familiar, as if there was some moment in the past when he met the guy—vaguely enough for him to picture him. The man was visiting a grave, just like Gael. Gael couldn't help but think it was Matteo. That was his first thought, hoping he was right. He was sure it was Matteo. When he decided to approach and try to ask him, he walked towards where the man was standing.
"Ah- H-Hey?" Gael stuttered nervously as he cautiously approached the stranger, who had paused to light a candle amidst the eerie silence of the cemetery. "Would you mind if I talk to you? It's dead silent here, and honestly, the cemetery gives me the creeps. Who are you visiting?"
The stranger continued his task without acknowledging Gael, prompting him to press on with a mix of curiosity and nervous energy. "You know, you look oddly familiar. Like, I've seen you somewhere, oh sorry I mean many years ago, but my brain's doing that thing where it won't give me the answer. Are you from here?"
Still met with silence, Gael let out a nervous chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "Or maybe we met at a weird party or something? You're not secretly a ghost, are you? Because if you are, you're really pulling off that 'mysterious spirit' vibe." He laughed. The man remained bowed and seemed unwilling to look at Gael. "Seriously, though, where are you from? Maybe we've crossed paths before. Or maybe you're just one of those people who look like everyone's long-lost best friend."
"What are you doing here?" the stranger finally spoke but still didn’t stand up and remained bowed. "And, do I know you? If you speak like that, it feels like we’re close, and hey, you’re speaking English, we’re not in America."
Gael smiled, "Thank God, finally, Mr. Stranger is talking."
"What are you saying?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" he joked.
"Ah, finally! I thought I was talking to Mr. Vampire here." Gael teased, trying to lighten the mood. "You know, you're the strong and silent type, but this cemetery vibe is too much, even for me. It’s like a scene from a horror movie."
The man stood up but still faced away from Gael.
"So, are you a regular here or just visiting the undead? Because if you’re a ghost, you really need a wardrobe upgrade. The white sheet look is so last century." He chuckled, half-serious, half-joking. "Or maybe you’re not a ghost. Maybe you’re a time traveler from the past, trying to blend in with the present. If so, may I borrow your time machine? I've got some lotto numbers to pick!"
"Are you crazy? You clearly just escaped from a mental institution. Hello, we’re not close. It would be satisfying to punch you and bury you alive," the stranger said.
Gael blinked, momentarily taken aback by the stranger's unexpected response. He chuckled nervously, trying to diffuse the tension. "Wow, someone's got jokes! You’d be handsome if you didn’t have such an attitude, buddy. Kidding aside, that was just a joke earlier. Yeah, I know we’re not close. I was just trying to lighten the mood. You know, cemetery humor? Like stand-up comedy, but in a graveyard."
Still met with silence, Gael shrugged nonchalantly. "Anyway, nice talking to you, Mr. Grumpy Ghost. I'll leave you to your candle-lighting and brooding. Maybe tomorrow you can show a smile, so you’ll seem friendlier. Just remember, if you see any zombies, run towards the guy who talks too much. Maybe they’ll find some entertainment value in him." He waved casually and turned to walk away, leaving the stranger standing silently amidst the tombstones.
"Hey, Gael? Did we really need that kind of introduction?"
Gael stopped walking, slowly turning back. "Not really necessary, but it’s disappointing that you don’t seem to recognize me. Matteo..."
"Well, I’ve known since yesterday that you arrived. Why did you come back here? After you left?" Matteo's tone feigned offense, but a warm smile betrayed his jest. "Kidding aside, I missed you so much! How have you been?"
He walked slowly towards Matteo, reminiscing how little had changed in his friend's appearance. "Well, I missed you too." Gael grinned and embraced his best friend warmly, feeling a rush of nostalgia.
Matteo returned the hug, patting Gael's back fondly. "Man, it’s been too long. What’s new with you? How’s life treating you since you left town?"
Gael stepped back, still smiling. "Life’s been... eventful, to say the least. Work’s been keeping me busy, but I had to come back. I missed our jokes here, remember the times we hung out?"
Matteo nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, those were good times. It’s been seven years, a long time. I heard you’re a licensed engineer now, wow, congratulations, bud."
They walked together through the cemetery's paths, catching up on old memories and sharing updates on their lives. "Until when are you here in Sitio Tanglaw?" Matteo asked sincerely. "We’ve missed having you around. It’s not the same without our talks and your crazy stories."
Gael smiled gratefully. "Just one month, bud."
Matteo nodded in response, his gesture reassuring yet strangely enigmatic. Gael studied him intently, noticing subtle changes in Matteo's demeanor that he couldn’t quite explain. There was an air of mystery about him, as if he carried unseen burdens or secrets buried deep within. Gael couldn’t shake the feeling that Matteo was different somehow, changed by his experiences since they last saw each other. There was a weight to his presence, a quiet intensity that spoke of unseen journeys and untold stories.