Her Forgotten Mistake (Mistake Series #6)

Twenty Nine

(Note: Unedited chapter. Errors ahead.)

Twenty Nine

ISANG NAKABIBINGING ingay ang maririnig sa loob ng hospital room. Nakahiga si Julia sa hospital bed at kasalukuyang nakapikit. May malay ang dalaga, pero hindi niya magawang imulat ang mga mata dahil sa tindi ng sakit ng kaniyang ulo pati na rin ang hapdi na nararamdaman niya sa bandang tagiliran.

"Ano ba talaga ang sabi ng doctor, Lucas? Why isn't she waking up?" Dinig niya ang boses ng kaniyang ina.

"She's fine. The bullet was already pulled out from her waist," Lucas answered with his usual monotonous voice.

"Sigurado ba silang walang natamaang kahit ano? Paano kung hindi naman —"

"Tita, please sit down and relax. Julia is okay. Believe me and trust her. I know my girl. She's brave." There was a hint of softness when Lucas said that.

Hindi maiwasang mapangiti ni Julia sa narinig. Sa kasamaang palad ay walang nakakita sa kaniyang pag ngiti that's why she can still act like she's unconscious and can listen to her family, talking.

"Aurora's currently taking her flight back here. Tinawagan ko ang batang 'yon noong nawawala si Topp. Baka darating 'yon bukas." Her mom sighed. "Sana lang ay magising na si Julia bago pa dumating ang kaibigan niya. Aurora will cry a river again for sure."

"She's more worried than us." Julia can imagine her father shaking his head.

"Is Mommy okay?" rinig niyang tanong ng kaniyang anak sa maliit na boses. He's near her. Ramdam ni Julia na nasa paanan lang niya si Topp.

"He's okay, baby boy. Mommy just need to rest," Lucas said.

"M-Mommy was hurt because of me..." Topp started to sob. Nanikip ang dibdib ni Julia. "I want t-to be mad at her because s-she lied... but she is hurt."

Hindi na nakatiis si Julia at tuluyan na niyang iminulat ang mga mata. When Topp saw her shredding tears, mas lalo itong pumalahaw ng iyak.

"Jul." Lucas went near her side and help her seat on the bed. "Be careful, baby."

Napangiwi si Julia nang kumirot ang kaniyang tagiliran. Napahawak siya roon at naramdaman niya ang malaking bandage na nakadikit doon.

"W-what happened to me?" bulong na tanong niya habang nakatingin sa malaking sugat. Wala siyang maalala sa sumunod na nangyari matapos ang kaniyang pagtakbo papunta kay Lucas.

"You were shot by Anthony." Nakatayo  lang sa gilid ng kaniyang kama si Lucas.

Agad siyang nakaramdam ng kaba sabay tingin kay Topp na umiiyak pa rin. She scanned his whole body. Nang wala siyang makitang galos at sugat ay doon lang siya nakahinga nang maluwag.

"W-where is he now?" Bumaling siyang muli kay Lucas.

"In jail. He's under investigation."

"Pupunta kami roon mamaya ng Mommy mo," singit ng kaniyang ama saka lumapit sa kaniya. "We promise you that we will make him pay from everything he did to you and to our family."

Lumuluha ring lumapit ang ina niya saka siya maingat na niyakap. "We're deeply sorry for causing you this trouble, hija. Oh! How worst are we as your parents."

"M-Ma..." Hinaplos niya ang likod ng ina at tumingin sa ama. "Pa... Please don't think that everything that happened was your fault. Hindi po ganoon ang iniisip ko. I am not blaming you."

"Your Mom has a point, Julia," ani ng kaniyang ama. "Kung hindi lang sana kami nagpadalos-dalos noon... Hindi ka mahihirapan nang ganito. You suffered more than us, anak."