7300 Hours | YJW (ON-HOLD)

02

Kim Arin's POV

tw: death

I slowly opened my eyes and sat down. Kahit umaga na ay madilim parin para sakin. I sighed at that thought. When will I ever see the rays of sun in the morning? or when it sets in the afternoon? I closed my eyes and said my morning prayers. Then I stretched my arms upang maghanda ng bumangon.

"Good morning Via." Bati ko sa kanya. Pero hindi niya ako sinasagot. I turned to the left where her bed is located.

"Via? Halika na baka maubusan tayo ng champorado." Pag-aaya ko at umupo sa tabi ng kama. Tumayo ako at dahang dahang lumapit sa kama ni Via habang nakahawak sa table na nakatabi dito.

I touched her. She felt really cold. Pero mainit naman ang panahon ah? I shaked her para magising na siya. Pag nalate kami baka wala na kaming abutan na agahan.

"Via?? Dali na kasi. Bumangon ka na dyan. Sige ka iiwan kita." Pagbabanta ko at kinalabit pa siya. But she's still not waking up.

Via isn't the type to wake up late. It's usually me. Siya pa nga halos gumigising sakin araw-araw. This isn't right.

"Olivia? Wake up na please." My voice started shaking. I felt like something's wrong. She isn't waking up.

I took my stick and walked out of our room. I called our nurse, Ms. Ava. I explained kung ano ang nangyari. Inilalayan niya ako at pinaupo sa mga upuan sa labas ng kwarto namin. My body's shaking. Di ko alam ang gagawin ko. I suddenly heard fast footsteps coming from a bunch of people. I also heard machines getting started. I tried not to cry pero tears started forming in my eyes. Ilang minuto ang nakalipas at tumahimik na ulit ang paligid ko. Then I heard the door open and close.

"Ms. Ava? Si Via po? Kamusta na po siya? Is she awake na po?" I asked pero she did not reply.
She sat down beside me and held my hand.

"Nagugutom na po kase ako, para makakain na po kami ng champorado." I tried to speak in a calm voice. Pero I can't hide my worries.

"Arin..." She softly said.

"Via went peacefully."

From hearing those three words, my tears started to fall. My whole body softened. She's gone? Kagabi lang masaya kaming nanood ng meteor shower at nangako na lilibutin namin ang mundo, pero ngayong umaga wala na siya?

"We tried our best pero it seems like she passed away in her sleep." She explained.

Hanggang ngayon wala parin ako masabi sa kakaiyak. Hinimas ni Ms. Ava ang likod ko to comfort me. Then she held my hand again.

"I know it's sudden Arin pero mas mabuti na 'to. She's been fighting for a long time. Oras na din para magpahinga siya." Tumango ako sa sinabi niya.

She's not wrong. Matagal na niyang nilalabanan ang sakit niya. As much as I'm sad na wala na siya, a part of me is happy na she went on without any pain. Bigla ko naalala ung mga sinabi ni Via kagabi. She said she's tired. Well there you go Via, I hope you rest well.

"Halika na Arin. You have to eat." Tumayo siya at hinila ang kamay ko. Pero I pulled my hand away.

"Can I talk to her? One last time?" I said, almost whispering and stood up.

Ms. Ava guided me in. Naramdaman ko na wala na din mga tao sa loob. Pinaupo niya ako sa isang upuan sa tabi ng kama ni Via.

"I'll be outside if you need me." Sabi niya at lumabas na.

Dahan-dahan kong kinapa ang kamay niya. It feels cold so I tried to warm it up with my two hands. Tears continued to fall from my eyes. I wanted to speak pero I kept sobbing. I composed myself and tried to form words.

"Via? Late na tayo. Ubos na siguro yung champorado. Paborito natin yun diba? Bat kasi ayaw mo pa gumising?" I held her hands at niyakap ito.

"You said we'd watch meteor showers together. You said we'd travel the world, diba pupunta pa tayo ng Disneyland? Why did you leave me alone? You're all I have in this world Via. Ikaw lang." I sobbed harder nang mapagtanto ko na now that Via's gone, I have no one left with me.

"You look so peaceful. I'm glad na makakatulog ka na ng mahimbing. You fought well my best friend. Magpahinga ka na. I love you Olivia. Till we meet again." I hugged her lifeless body tight.