Since the MV Matui tragedy, Gabrielle Wai’s nephews are still asking the same question when they return from school: “Oli faenm Uncle finis.?”

They are still waiting for their 17 year old uncle who would spend his time playing with them whenever he visits Santo.

They do not know why he has not returned.

They do not know why their uncle has not come back to play.

For his cousin, Angella Wai, that is one of the hardest parts of the uncertainty surrounding Gabrielle’s disappearance after the MV Matui tragedy.

Gabrielle, from Tacolavola in North Ambae, was believed to be among the youngest people aboard the vessel.

He had only recently started his sea time training.

According to Angella, the trip was his third week trial aboard the MV Matui.

He was beginning his journey into life at sea.

To his family, Gabrielle was still a young boy finding his way.

Angella described him as someone who loved walking, going places and being active.

He was not the kind of person who could simply sit still.

Usually when he arrives in Santo, he would often go straight to his nephews.

The last time Angella remembers seeing him was before the tragedy.

Gabrielle did not spend much time talking.

He went to play with his nephews.

That ordinary moment has now become one of the family’s most painful memories.

His nephews are still asking about him.

They still expect him to return.

But there is still no sign of him.

No phone call.

No message.

No uncle coming home.

In the days before the vessel’s disappearance, Gabrielle had remained in contact with Angella through Facebook.

On Tuesday, he told her he was with members of the MV Matui crew in Santo.

On Wednesday, he messaged again.

Then Thursday came.

There was no message.

Gabrielle had told her they would leave on Friday.

The last image of him before the ship’s departure is now burned into the family’s memory.

Gabrielle was standing in front of the MV Matui, wearing a blue jacket.

Then the messages stopped.

His phone went straight to voicemail.

The family kept calling.

Nothing.

Gabrielle is the second-born in a family of seven children.

His parents remain in North Ambae, where network coverage is limited, making communication even more difficult.

His father is still struggling to believe that his son is missing.

Angella said even when police contacted her asking for photographs of Gabrielle, she had difficulty obtaining them because the family in Ambae is still coming to terms with what had happened.

For a father, hearing that his 17-year-old son may not be coming home is not something that happens tthrouhg a single phone call.

There is still hope.

There is still disbelief.

And there are still questions.

Angella remembers another moment that now carries a different meaning.

Gabrielle had messaged her asking about his nephews.

He did not know it would be their last conversation.

He did not know it might be the last time he would speak to her.

She did not know either.

“He does not know that will be his last chat or last time playing with his nephew,” Angella said.

Now the family is preparing to say goodbye to a boy they had never imagined losing so young.

They plan to hold a food farewell and throw flowers into the ocean in his memory.

And back in Santo, his nephews continue coming home from school.

Still ask for their uncle.

They are still waiting for him to come and play.

Gabrielle was only 17.

He had just started his journey at sea.

For the children who loved him, he was simply their uncle.

And they are still waiting for him to come home.

This feature is based on an account provided to VBTC NEWS by Gabrielle Wai’s cousin, Angella Wai. Details are presented according to her account.