Splendiferous Crescent

KABANATA 39

Walang sinayang na minuto si Mr. Zervantes. He immediately pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed someone's number.

He was smiling the whole time as he talk with someone over the phone. Si Mrs. Zervantes naman ay nakaupo na sa isang bench hindi kalayuan sa kinatatayuan ko.

There's nothing on her face but pure happiness. Hindi siya nakangiti pero alam kong iyon ang nararamdaman niya. She isn't transparent but she's not also that tinted to not be read by someone like me.

"The test will be done tomorrow," nakangiting sabi ni Mr. Zervantes, halata roon ang saya. "Selene… thank you."

Tumango ako at ngumiti nang kaunti sa kanila bago magpaalam. I am worried for the things that might happen between Pierce and Kuya so I hurriedly walked to reach the hospital's lobby.

May apat na monobloc chair ang naroon. Sa isang dulo ay roon nakaupo si Kuya. Sa isa namang dulo, roon nakaupo si Pierce. And when they saw me, both of them stood up. Sabay pa.

"She's going home," sabi ni Kuya. Nakatingin siya nang diretso sa akin pero alam namin kung para kanino iyon.

Pierce bit his lower lip and later on, he nodded, agreeing with my brother's decision.

Hinawakan ni Kuya ang palapulsuhan ko para pasabayin sa kaniya sa paglalakad. I smiled at Pierce first before finally turning my back on him and go out of the hospital.

"I'm sorry…" Rinig ko ang pagmamakaawa at pagsisisi sa boses ni Pierce. Nang lingunin ko siya, halos maluha na rin ako dahil sa awa sa kaniya. He looks so problematic… and worried. He looks like he doesn't know what to do anymore.

I stared at him and just like what I did earlier to his father, I scanned his whole face and noticed everything. Walang duda na mag-ama nga silang dalawa. Kahit ako rin ay hindi maiisip na ampon siya. Well, he's not.

Sana lang talaga ay positive ang lalabas na resulta. Ayaw kong magbigay ng false hope. Lalo na 'to. This isn't just a minor thing. It's a serious matter that shouldn't be taken frivolously.

Bukod doon, ayaw kong bigyan ng temporaryong kasiyahan ang mag-asawa. I know how much they're longing for their true child even if they didn't tell it. Kahit pa hindi nila sabihin, ramdam ko ang kagusutuhan nilang malaman ang tungkol sa totoo nilang anak. And it's now here. It has been revealed. So, I am hoping that the result would be positive.

"Bakit ka nakipagkita kay Preston?" Bakas ang galit sa boses ni kuya nang tanungin niya iyon. Sa daan siya nakatingin pero ramdam ko ang nakatatakot niyang tingin.

I pressed my lips together and bit it after it has been released. I also readied myself to answer his question. I'm listing it on my mind but I couldn't find the perfect answer for it. Everything's too shallow and seems senseless.

Nanatili na lang akong tahimik at pinapakinggan ang mahinang tunog na nililikha ng aircon ng sasakyan niya. Mabuti na lang din ay hindi na niya ako tinanong ulit. He probably noticed that I'm out of explanation.

"I'm letting you do what you want since you're already at the right age to make proper decisions. Pero sana naman ay sinabi mo sa akin 'yon. You don't know how much I am worried when I was told that he was shot and you're with him."

"Sorry, Kuya," mahina kong sabi. There's no hint of remorse nor repentance on my tone because I don't feel guilty on seeing him. I am just guilty on the part that he was shot because he protected me.

If I didn't went there and see Preston, kung hindi ko pinaunlakan ang request niya, malalaman ko ba 'to? No, of course. That's why I don't feel sorry about going there to see Preston.