Rule #3: Changing The Rules

[18]

"Your son dislocated his arm, ma'am. It might take him weeks, before he can move it again or play basketball. I'm sorry, but he'll have to take a rest and stay at home..." The doctor said after examining Prince.

My eyes widened and gulped. Hindi ko aakalaing ganon kalala ang nangyari sa kanya. I thought it was just a normal injury.

Tita Clara asked some questions, before the doctor went out. Kaming tatlo lang ang nandito. Me, Rie and Tita. Nikki's coming and Tito Aurelius is in a trial, right now. It felt a little awkward since hindi naman kami gaanong close ni Rie.

"Thank you, doc." she smiled and returned her attention to a sleeping Prince. Nakatulog na siya sa pagod at sakit na naramdaman. I still felt guilty about it, because I knew that if it weren't for me, he wouldn't be in this situation.

"Tita..." I shyly went to her side to apologize. Tita Clara lifted her head to look at him. I feel ashamed to even look at her and speak to her, right now. "I'm-"

She raised a hand to stop me and smiled.

"If you're gonna say sorry, Emma. It's okay. Wala kang kasalanan. Prince saved you from getting hit by the car. It was his choice to save you." she sighed and gently caressed her son's hair. "Pasalamatan mo nalang siya pag nagising na siya."

"Pero, Tita-"

"It's okay, hija. No need to worry about it. Sigurado akong ayaw rin ni Prince na sisihin ka."

Kumurap ako at tumango. Lumabas si Rie, dahil may tinanggap siyang tawag. I stayed by Prince's side, waiting for him to wake up. He had a cast on his arm and he looked so pained earlier.

"I have to go, Tita. Pasabi nalang po kay Prince..." Bumalik si Rie para lang magpaalam. She glanced at me and smiled a bit before saying good bye to Tita. Mabait naman si Rie, but I felt like she blamed a bit, because of how she was looking at me, earlier. Kasalanan ko naman kase talaga...

"Okay, thank you, hija. I'll tell Prince that you have to go home, already." Tita smiled.

Rie nodded. Humarap siya sa akin.

"Bye, Emma." tipid niyang sabi bago umalis.

I was left here with Prince, because I didn't wanna go home yet. I wanted to thank him personally, when he wakes up because I wasn't able to do that earlier. Hindi ko pa rin maiwasang maiyak pag naiisip iyon. I should really be careful next time. Nadamay pa siya dahil sa kapabayaan ko.

"Emma?"

I lifted my head up to see Nikki, smiling at me. Prince is already awake, still getting used to the cast on his arm. His eyes looked cold while looking at me.

"Ate, you shouldn't have woken her up." he said to Nikki.

"I'm sorry! She looked uncomfortable!"

Kinusot ko ang mata ko at umayos ng upo. I held his other hand and earned a stare from him. I realized how awkward it was and tried to let go, but he held onto it tighter. Hindi na ako bumitaw at tumikhim nalang.

"Uh... are you okay now?" I swallowed and tried to drift my attention to someone else. Lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko dahil sa magkahawak naming kamay.

He nodded, still staring at me. "Yeah, you?"

"I'm fine!" mabilis kong sagot.

Nikki bursted out laughing. Prince arched a brow at his sister, letting go of my hand. Tinakpan ni Nikki ang bibig niya at pinigilan ang pagtawa, sabay naglakad papunta sa pinto.

"I'll leave first," Nikki told us and went out.

Silence consumed us both. I couldn't think of any words and I don't want to keep saying sorry, since I already apologized earlier. I never thought it'd be this awkward with him, after everything.