Mon Amour (My Love)

CHAPTER 15

KING

"He didn't look very good, did he?" Papa Allie asked, after a long silence. We're on our way home and just like earlier, Papa Rodel was driving, Papa Allie's in the front seat, while I was in the backseat with Luke, the massive stuffed animal I got from Papa Allie's bedroom.

Papa Rodel didn't respond. Instead, he gave Papa Allie a quick glance and then caressed his knee. "What is your plan now, Allie?"

Papa Allie shrugged. "I don't know. Kung ako ang masusunod, I wanted to bring him with us, pero hindi ko lang sure if he is fit enough to travel. Besides..."

He stopped and looked outside the window.

"Ano yun, Allie?"

Once again, Papa Allie shrugged. "I don't know if it's just me, or something's just not right about Mr. Lim and the doctor."

"You noticed." Papa Rodel said, which surprised me. I thought they were too busy to pay attention and that I was the only one who thought that something was really off. "Akala ko, ako lang. I don't think I could trust that person."

"Can I say something?" I asked.

"What is it, honey?" Papa Allie asked.

"Well, when I came back to his room to say good bye, I caught Grandpa screaming and Mr. Lim was yelling at him too. He didn't realize I was there and then the nurse said that they weren't alone and that's when he saw me and stopped."

"What did he say to you?" Papa Rodel asked.

"He said something like he's only doing that so grandpa would hear him and that grandpa doesn't recognize him anyway. But when Grandpa saw me, he called me to his side and embraced me and asked me to stay. So I thought how the hell Grandpa doesn't recognize Mr. Lim? I thought he said they were best friends ."

"That's odd. Did your grandpa really ask you to stay?" asked Papa Allie.

"He did."

"Well, you know what? He's not like that before. I guess being old and sick has gotten him."

"What will we do now, Allie?" Papa Rodel asked.

"I want to be with him, Rodel. If we can't move him, I think I'll have to stay there."

"I'll go with you."

"What about your patients?"

Papa Rodel didn't respond. He goes to the hospital by schedule (Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) so I don't think he can really go with Papa Allie.

"On the days na wala akong schedule sa ospital, I'll be there." he said afterwards. "We have to take care of your father, Allie. This is the least we can do for him."

Papa Allie smiled.

"We'll send the doctor away." Papa Rodel continued. "And maybe, that guy Mr. Lim won't hang around much anymore if he sees that we will take it from there."

"Although he doesn't seem the type to step aside that easily." Papa Allie added.

"Well, he's not the son, so..."

Papa Allie laughed. "You're amazing, Rodel. I'm really lucky I have you as my other half. Everything is easier because you're there."

And there I was again, wishing that I've had the same thing.

When we came home, I went straight to my room and brought Luke with me to the bed. I remembered the face of my grandfather, how he held me and asked me to stay. I couldn't help but cry again when my phone rang.