Mended Broken Souls (✔️)

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Death is really inevitable. We all don't know when will be our time to face it. Nandiyan lang 'yan sa ating tabi... naghihintay kung kailan ang oras natin, naghihintay kung kailan ba tayo dapat kukunin. That's why before it's too late, we should do things that make us feel fulfilled before we die. In that way, we will die contented, not with regrets that will still possibly haunt us even in the afterlife.

The next days were gloomy. Pinayagan na si Caleb ni Tita Elisse na pumunta araw-araw sa hospital. I offered to keep an eye on their house. Hindi pa kasi dumarating ang araw na puwede nang lumabas si Tito Rico.

According to the doctor, he needs some rest first. The two remaining months of his life span really... shattered something inside me. He has been a good and kind neighbor to my family and to others in my neighborhood.

I often pray every night to ask for a miracle... na sana mawala ang taning sa buhay niya. I don't want Caleb to experience being left by a father again. Naiwan na siya noon... kaya hindi ko alam kung gaano na iyon kasakit para sa kaniya sa pangalawang pagkakataon.

Nang makalabas si Tito sa hospital nang dumating ang June, I vividly saw how Caleb cares for him. Nang makababa sa isang tricycle ay nakita ko kung paano niya ito alalayan nang maayos at marahan papunta sa bahay nila dahil halata na rito ang panghihina.

The exhaustion and sadness on Tita Elisse's eyes were also evident, same as with Caleb. Parehong sumasalamin sa isa't-isa ang nararamdaman nila ngayon.

Tears started to well up in my eyes when Caleb met my eyes with his swollen and worn out eyes. When he smiled at me that I know, a forced one, I forcefully smiled back, too.

"Hindi ko inakalang may sakit pala sa puso si Rico..." Narinig ko ang boses ni Mama sa tabi ko.

I glanced at her with my sad eyes. "Hindi na po ba siya gagaling, Ma?"

She shook her head. "Like you said, sabi ng Doctor, may taning na ang buhay niya. Nakatakda na iyon."

"But what if there's a miracle?" I hopefully asked.

She smiled sadly. "There's a miracle to a person who is destined to have it. Hindi ko alam, Ashia."

I just lowered my gaze miserably upon hearing her reply.

"Besides, may history ng heart disease ang mga magulang ni Rico na naging sanhi rin ng pagkamatay ng mga ito. Hindi na nakapagtataka kung mangyari din sa kaniya, kaya imposibleng may milagrong mangyayari, Ashia. It's based on genetics." Her eyes were sternly fixed on their house in front.

My forehead creased. "How did you know that they have a history of heart disease? Were you friends even before when you were still teenagers?"

Tumingin siya sa 'kin. "He was my first boyfriend when legality welcomed me. I know everything about him. Hindi lang kami nagkatuluyan because we both fell out of love when we reached two years in our relationship."

Gulat akong napatingin sa kaniya. I wasn't anticipating that answer from her. I thought she would answer that they were childhood friends or something that is far from that answer.

I cleared my throat.

"Oh, really..." Iyon lang ang nasambit ko sa pagkabigla.

"Nakalulungkot lang din isipin. He was once a part of my life and he marked a place in my heart, too. He was my close friend before we entered a relationship. Nalulungkot ako para kay Elisse at Caleb dahil mararamdaman na naman nilang maiwan ng taong mahalaga at naging parte sa kanila."

"Iyan nga rin po ang ikinalungkot ko. I witnessed how Caleb cried because of Tito Rico's condition and remaining lifespan."

I felt her hand on my shoulder.