Wild Reckless

Chapter 2

"Things are complicated. No doubt. But we'll have to battle through this. We have to. Giving up is not an option."
-Katie McGarry, Pushing The Limits

Kanina pa siya hindi mapakali habang naghihintay sa labas emergency room. She called their mom at ipinaalam niya dito ang nangyari kay Heaven. She was crying while talking to her mom. She was also blaming herself dahil sa nangyari kay Heaven kung hindi siya pumayag sa gusto nito ay di sana'y wala sila ngayon sa hospital. At kung hindi rin siya sana pumayag sa gusto ng kapatid na mag out of town na sila lang dalawa ay hindi sana sila aabot sa ganito.

"Nevaeh baby." Napalingon siya ng marinig niyang may tumawag sa kanya. Tumayo siya at sinalubong ng yakap ang kanyang mommy. Her mom too was crying. And her dad's face was full of concern. Hindi niya na napigilan ang sarili na magbreakdown sa harapan ng kanyang mga magulang.

"I'm so sorry mom. It's my fault. I'm so sorry." Humahagulhol niyang sabi. Her mom was rubbing her back while assuring her it wasn't her fault.

"She'll come back sweetie. Our Heaven is strong. She'll come back." Sabi ng Daddy niya sa garagal na boses. Niyakap lang siya nito at saka inaalo. "I'm so sorry daddy. I should have protected her. I should hav--"

"Shhhh. Sweetheart. Stop blaming yourself. It's no one's fault."

Ilang saglit pa ay lumabas ang doctor. Agad silang napatayo at nagtanong kung anong lagay ng kanyang kapatid.

"How's my daughter doc?" Tanong ng kanyang daddy. She didn't trust herself to speak.

"Mabuti nalang at nadala siya dito kaagad. She's stable right now. Pwede narin siyang ilipat ng room." Saad ng doctor.

"Thank God." Usal ng mommy niya. Nevaeh sighed in relief and muttered a silent thanks at saka bumalik siya sa pagkakaupo. Nakita niyang kinausap ng doctor and Daddy niya for further information about her sister's condition. Her sister is safe. As of now.

Naramdaman niyang umupo sa tabi niya ang mommy niya. "Tinawagan mo na ba siya?" Tanong ng mommy niya sa kanya. Tanging tango lang ang kanyang isinagot.

Kanina pa siya nakabantay sa tabi ng kanyang kapatid. Inaasikaso pa kasi ng kanyang mga magulang ang mga papeles ni Heaven. Panakay nakay kinakausap niya ito while silently begging her to wake up. She was also thankful dahil walang mga nakakabit na tubo dito which means stable na talaga ang lagay ng kapatid niya. Narinig niyang bumukas ang pinto kaya agad siyang napatingin dito.

Nagtama saglit ang kanilang paningin pero siya na rin ang unang nagbawi.

"Is she alright?" Narinig niyang tanong nito.

"Sabi ng doctor ay stable na daw ang lagay niya." sagot niya dito. Naramdaman niyang umupo ito sa tabi niya at saka hinawakan ang kamay niya.

"She asked me if she could do the bungee jumping."panimula niya. She felt him stiffened for a second. She looked at him and he nodded at her urging her to continue. "I was hesitant at first but then you know Ven, she could be so persistent." she laughed without humor. Isa isa ng nag uunahan sa pagtulo ang kanyang mga luha. He squeezed her hand lightly, asking her to continue."I should have said no. I should have protected her."

He wrapped his arms around her and whispered few comforting words to her. Idinantay niya ang kanyang ulo sa balikat nito. Sandali ay nakalimutan niya kung ano ang sitwasyon nila. " But you made her happy Nev. She knew the consequences of her action but she did it anyway because she wanted to feel normal. You made her feel normal Neveah. She wouldn't want you to blame yourself Nevaeh so please stop blaming yourself." She felt his hands on her back, rubbing it back and forth.

"Are you happy Nev?" He asked out of the blue. Her back stiffened at bigla siyang kumawala sa mga yakap nito.

"If watching Heaven doing the things that makes her happy then I'm happy."