Mended Broken Souls (✔️)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

"Julienne! Julienne, anong nangyari?"

Nagpatuloy pa rin ang buhos ng ulan at buhos ng mga luhang hindi maawat dahil sa nangyaring hindi inaasahan. I was covering my feeble face with my hands, and continued sobbing when I heard Caleb's voice.

I don't care if he'd see me in this state. I was repeatedly praying on my mind about Akisha's stability. Na sana gising na siya...

Ang dami kong pagsisisi.

I wished I didn't go out of the house earlier for her not to follow me. Sana nasa loob na lang ako para turuan siya sa Math na siyang request niya sa 'kin kanina dahil nahihirapan siya. I wished I check her again earlier if she really followed my order to go home already because being at the side of the road is dangerous.

Sana noong una pa lang hindi ako nainggit at nagalit sa kaniya dahil wala naman siyang kasalanan. I wished I didn't let envy prevail because as her sister, I never did anything for her.

This is my fault. This is my fault that she was involved in a car accident, and my father loathes me now. This is all my fault. It is also my fault that my mother loathes me since birth for existing.

Ilang sandali pa'y naramdaman kong hindi na ako nababasa ng ulan. Pagtingala ko ay may payong na pa lang nakasangga sa akin. I glanced, and I saw Caleb holding it for our protection.

His lips were parting like he wants to say something but he was fighting the urge. Bakas sa mukha niya ang labis na pag-aalala at ang mga mata niya ay tila maiiyak dahil ganoon naman talaga ang hitsura ng mga 'yon.

I felt him sitting beside me. I also felt him slowly putting my head on his shoulder whilst still holding the umbrella for our protection. I just let him because I am too feeble to protest. Hindi ko na naman napigilan ang paghagulgol.

I don't care if he witnessed me in this state. I really can't control it anymore.

Nakita ko ang kaunting paglingon niya, pero hindi siya nagsalita. He was just silent like letting me burst it all. Hindi siya nagtanong ng kahit ano.

"Happy birthday, my youth..." I heard him whisper, audible enough for me to hear despite of the hard continuous pouring of the rain.

I didn't say anything.

Nang medyo tumahan na ako sa balikat niya ay narinig kong nagsalita ulit siya," Julienne... dadalhin muna kita sa bahay. Basang-basa ka na, baka magkasakit ka. Nandoon si Mama, magpapatulong ako. Kilala ka na rin niya. Pinakilala kita..."

Napatingin ako sa kaniya at nakitang saglit siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. Nagkatinginan ulit kami, pero ilang sandali lang ay bumigat ang talukap ng mga mata ko, at namalayan ko na lang ang pagbuhat niya sa 'kin. Hindi ko na narinig pa ang kung ano ma'ng sinasabi niya dahil tuluyan na akong nilamon ng dilim.

Nagising na lang ako nang may marinig na strum ng gitara at boses na kumakanta. I felt the softness of the bed I was lying on. I also felt the heaviness of my body. Sobrang sakit din ng ulo ko kaya hindi ko muna ito ginalaw at tumingala na lang sa kisame. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako ngayon dahil hindi naman pamilyar sa 'kin ang kwarto.

I still heard the pouring of the rain and the thunderstorms. That's when I remember that Caleb carried me earlier. Muntik ko pang nakalimutan kung ano nga bang nangyari bago ako nakahiga rito... I felt the hot liquid coming from my eyes again on my cheeks.

Lord, please heal my sister...

"When the oceans rise and thunders roar... I will soar with you above the storm... Father You are King over the flood... I will be still and know You are God..." The strumming of a guitar I heard continues, and the voice of the one who sings is familiar.