Bygone Memories of Yesterday (Affliction Series #2) ✔

Chapter 16

“I’m sorry,” I kept on muttering the same words habang hagkan niya ako. My tears won’t stop falling as if it’s endless.

Minutes passed but I was still crying hard. I couldn’t express into words how sad, guilty, and sorry I am for not telling him the truth kaya iniyak ko na lang. Iniyak ko nang iniyak hanggang sa mamaga ang mga mata ko.

“Shh, tahan na. Hindi ako galit, remember?” he said softly while rubbing my back. “Alam kong ayaw mo lang akong masaktan. If I’m in your position, I would’ve done the same too.”

Bumitiw ako sa yakapan namin upang matitigan ang mukha niya.

“S-Sinong nagsabi sa ‘yo?” I sniffed.

His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Your mother.”

Napapikit ako ng mariin. Tinotoo nga ni Mommy ang banta niya. Pero hindi ko naman siya masisisi. I was a coward this past few months. Lagi na lang akong takot, kinakabahan, at nababahala. It’s not surprising that my mother will lose her patience towards me. Besides, Neus deserved to know. I just couldn’t find the courage to tell him.

“Anj, kailangan mong magpagaling.” Ang seryoso niyang boses ang pumukaw sa naglalakbay kong isip. Nagtama ang mga mata namin.

“You need to go.” His eyes held seriousness. Para bang sigurado na siya sa mga binitawan niyang salita. All the emotions in my eyes disappeared as I smiled bitterly.

“Pati ba naman ikaw?” Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

“Para rin naman ‘yon sa kapakanan mo.”

Umatras ako habang umiiling, my eyes sporting disbelief.

“Bakit ko kailangang pumunta ro’n kung puwede namang dito ako magpagaling? Why do I have to travel half of the world just to get treated, kung ang mga taong sanhi ng lakas ko ay nandito?” I argued as I wipe my tears away.

Neus sighed as if he was expecting what I was about to say.

“I get your point but your main goal right now is to acquire what’s best for you. And going to the US is the best option right now. May kakilalang neurosurgeon si Mommy sa US. Ipinaalam namin ang kondisyon mo sa kaniya. She can help you and is willing to perform the surgery for you.”

My mouth hung open. “So you’re in on this? Sang-ayon ka kina Mommy? You’re even helping them?”

“This is for your well-being. Of course, I’ll help.”

“Pero hindi mo man lang ako tinanong kung ayos lang ba sa ‘kin ang umalis!” I glared at him.

“Because I already knew you don’t want to go!” Pinantayan niya ang lakas ng boses ko. “Tita won’t tell me and ask for my help if you wanted to go.”

Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig ako sa kaniya. “So that’s why you’re telling me this? To help my parents convince me? Gusto mo ‘kong umalis?”

Mariin siyang pumikit at umiling. Nang dumilat ay mas mahinahon na ang hitsura niya.

“Anj, hindi ‘to tungkol sa gusto at ayaw ko. Tungkol ‘to sa kapakanan mo. Like your parents, I want you to get the best treatment that’s possible. Para walang dagdag problema. Para mas mabilis at madali. Walang kasiguraduhan ang ganiyang sakit pero mas panatag ang loob ko kapag sa ibang bansa ka magpapagaling. Kilala ni Mommy ang magiging doktor mo and she’s dependable. Kaya ka niyang pagalingin. That tumor will be gone in no time. Please, open your eyes. You know that we have a point.”

I clutched my forehead while looking at the sky. Ang isang kamay ay nakapamaywang.

“Ayoko ngang umalis,” nangingig ang boses kong sabi.