Paper Flight

Kabanata 25

Without looking back, I got in the car and drove off. I didn't think of the consequences that I may get later just to arrived in the hospital. She's fine, her mother must be panicking.

I repeated that to myself until I arrived. Bumaba agad ako at tumakbo papunta sa kwarto niya, I found her family crying from shock and just looking inside. I slowed down my steps and saw her being revived. When the doctor stopped and looked at her heartbeat, he tried again.

Lumakad ako papalapit kaso pinigilan ako ng mga nurse doon na pumasok. No. She can't die, she can't leave me like this. I promised her that once everything is okay, we'll go somewhere she likes. I was ready to throw everything just to make sure that she was okay, that she was smiling, that she won't leave and that she won't have to worry about anyone else except me.

"Cielo..." I whispered when the doctor was already giving up on reviving her. I remembered the day that she sent me a smile when we were arguing, how she would help me finish first with my works than her.

Pinayagan na kaming pumasok ng doctor at nakatayo lang siya doon. Nanginginig kaming pumasok at lalo akong nanlamig na nakita na tinanggal na yung ventilator niya. Ang unang bumungad sa akin yung namumutla niyang katawan. I felt tears in the corner of my eyes.

"February 14, 2021 time of death--"

When the doctor was already saying her time of death, the heartbeat monitor suddenly revived. The nurses moved toward her and placed the ventilator ad moved her bed to the surgery room.

"Is Ava Kamila here?" Her sister raised her hand and stood up from her seat, I didn't hear what he said because I was too busy looking back and forth to the surgery room.

"Pierre, you should go home we'll notify you if the surgery is done." Her mother said to me, when hours passed while we were waiting. Umuling ako. Nung umalis ako muntikan na siyang mawala sa akin, ayokong umuwi ng hindi pa nakikita na ayos lang siya.

Biglang bumukas yung pintuan at napahinga kami ng maluwag ng dahan-dahan na nilabas nila si Cielo pabalik sa room. Hindi muna ako umuwi, pero pinilit ako ng pamilya niya na umuwi sa may amin. Kahit man labag sa lob ko, sinunod ko.

Pagkauwi ko sa bahay nakita ko na nandoon sila Mama na kausap yung parents ni Trish. Iniwas niya yung tingin niya, at diretso lang ako na pumasok sa may kwarto ko. Nagpahinga, naligo at niready na yung gamit dahil hindi ako aalis sa may ospital.

"Pierre, anak hinahanap ka ng magulang ni Trish."

Hindi ko iyon pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa pag-aayos.

"Sabihin mo Ma, na hindi kamo kahit ano pa yang hinihingi nilang pabor. Lalo na sa anak nilang baliw."

"Pierre!"

Tumingin ako kay Mama na paiyak na at napansin niya yun.

"Dahil kamo sa muntik ng pagpapakamatay ng anak nila, naflat line yung girlfriend ko." Nanigas si Mama at hindi makapaniwalang tinignan niya ako.

"Si Asteria?" Tumango ako bago umupo sa kama at pinunasan yung luha ko.

"A-Ano n-nangyari? Okay lang siya, right? We can h-help her f-family if need nila." Niyugyog niya balikat ko.

"B-Bago m-masabi na patay na siya, narevive siya then inoperahan na. Kakatapos lang. Pinauwi lang ako ng magulang niya para magpahinga."

Napabuga ng hangin si Mama ng marinig niya na okay lang. Siya na nagtuloy ng paglalagay ng damit at tinawag si Caroline.

"Go, alagaan mo ng mabuti yun. I like her for my daughter-in-law." I nodded and took my bag and dashed to the car. Narinig ko yung sigaw ni Trish pero hindi ko siya pinansin at tuluyan ng pumunta sa may ospital.

"The doctor said na hindi daw siya makakaattend ng recognition nila dahil hindi niya pa kayang makatayo pagnagising siya." Sabi sa akin ng papa niya. Nakaupo ako sa tabi niya at hindi na binigawan yung kamay niya simula ng dumating ako.

Narinig kong nabuntong hininga siya. Tinapik niya yung balikat ko bago ngumiti.

"Thank you. For being there for my daughter when we didn't see what she needs."

I nodded.

"My daughter had a dengue when she was young. We didn't notice it because we were focused on her brother. So we took her to the hospital late."

"50-50. That's what the doctor said to us. She can't speak, she can't even stand up. Her food was already just being transmitted through the tubes."

He sighed and looked at her.

"Yet, when she got out she achieved many things that we didn't acknowledge. It happened again, she coughed blood when you guys where in your 2nd yaar in highschool."

He smiled sadly.

"She was pushing herself to far sabi ng doctor, pinapapunta namin siya dito palagi para mamaintain yung gamot niya at gumaling siya. It was alright at first then her siblings grew mas dumepende sa kanya."

"So thank you for looking after her when she was busy looking for our attention."

"Thank you po."

He stiffened.

"For bringing her into this world."

"Take care of her."

I stayed there and hold her hands before finally letting her see me weak. Just by being here with me brings me comfort.

I woke up when I felt someone caressing my hair softly. I look up to see her looking at me softly and she offered me a small smile.

I gazed at before hugging her. I cried on her shoulder and she softly soothed me with her caress on my head.

"W-Why are y-you c-crying?"

Her voice is hoarsed and it broke a little. Siniksik ko pa yung katawan ko sa kanya at hinigpitan yung yakap ko.

"I-I-It's a-alright. I-I'm h-here na-a."

Lumayo muna siya sa akin bago ngumiti. Her smile bought my lips to slightly to curved up. I can't help but lean over to her and removed her mask.

I kiss her on her lips and I felt her stiffen. Her lips were dry yet soft and addictive. Lumayo ako ng kaunti para makahinga siya.

"I love you, mi cielo..."

I muttered to her before leaning to kiss her it was just short and sweet before letting her breathe. I looked at her smiling.

Her mouth fell agape and her hands caressed my cheeks.

"I love you too, Adi"

As she said that, her eyes glistened with tears and gave me a peck on my lips. I smiled.