THE BAD HABIT (BISAYA)

10

H.

I saw a ghost of worries in Zayd's eyes. Naa s'yay ka storya sa iyang cellphone.

I heard him say, “What about my mom?”

So I keep silent. That's why he is worried. When it comes to his mom, he's worried and all.

Masabtan sad nako kay iyahang mama nalang ang naa sya. 3 years, he have been waiting for his mom to get conscious.

“Yes. I'll get there soon. Just please do anything to keep her safe. Okay, yes. Bye”

After ending the call, he looked at me. His worry are so visible and he's about to cry.

Nitindog nalang ko para duolon sya. I open my arms and embrace him.

“Everything's gonna be fine, love. It's okay to cry and let out your weak spot. I'm here. I won't leave.” hunghong nako while ga rub kos iyang likod.

He finally cry it out. Hinay sad nakong gitrapohan akong luha nga nikawala pagka dugayan namong gaksanay.

My heart broke by just hearing him cry. Unsaon nalang kaha ug mawala ni syas akoa? It would be my death.

I can't let him go. He deserve to be taken a good care.

“Thank you baby” finally, he speaks. Unlike ganiha nga ga bakho syag ayo.

I looked at him bisan ga hug pa sya sa akoa. He's indeed fragile. Makita nako sa iyang mata kung unsa sya kadali maapektuhan.

He may be a strong independent man but a man have their own weakness too.

“Should we go there? Let's visit your mom” akong gi trapohan iyang luha.

Nitarong syag tindog ug giayos akong buhok. Iyahang gi ipit sa likod sa akong dalunggan.

He also stopped crying. “You're coming with me? Basin makapoy ka” he asked with hesitations.

I gave him a smile, assuring nga okay ras akoa.

Akoang gi kuptan iyang kamot ug gibira na sya pagawas sa akong apartment.

Nagpatianod nalang sad sya. So karun padung nami sa hospital.

Padung mis hospital sa akong tita and tito kung asa na confine ang mama ni Zayd.

I notice his hands we're trembling while he drive. I faced him and held his right hand.

He glance at me, nikalma sya gamay. “Thank you for being here, Hickey.”

I smile softly, “For you, I'll be here always.” then we intertwined our hands.

Label check daw bi.

Char. Bahalag walay label basta kilig.

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“Her body collapsed earlier but I can assure you she's totally fine now. We're checking her time to time and I called you so you could stay by your mom's side for a couple of days” explain sa doctor.

Naa rakos tapad ni Zayd. Mas ako ang naminaw sa doctor kay si Zayd ga atubang na kay Tita nga unconscious gihapon.

I stare at them while he's holding his mom's hand.

“Sige doc, thank you” ana ko sa doctor pag ingon niyang mo gawas na sya.

“I'll be around. Call me if you need something or something happened.” the doctor went out of the room.

I sighed. Naguol sad ko mag tan aw ni Tita karon. Labaw na ni Zayd. He's down and worried.

Nikalit s'yag tindog.