Always an Option

Chapter 11 - Irrational Mind

Bumalik kami loob ospital at dumerecho sa ICU ward pagkatapos naming mag-usap ni Aziel. Sobrang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko pagkatapos naming mag-usap. The long time overdue sorry was told and forgiveness was given.

We both chose to move forward.

Mas magaan naman para sakin na wala ng sama ng loob kay Aziel kase aminin ko man sa hindi, he's one of the important person in my life. At some point of our life, we're each other anchors. Me when I am having trouble in school and family. And when he's having trouble sleeping when his trauma and nightmare resurface.

Nandatnan namin si Mama at Papa na nakaupo sa isang white bench sa labas ng kuwarto ni Kayle. Samantalang nakatayo naman sina Jiyu, Advik at Percy. Hinihintay nila kami.

Napatingin ako kay Papa na nakatingin sakin ng masama.

Pinilit kong ngumiti at nagmano.

"Pa.."

May sasabihin pa sana si Papa nang dumating na ang isang doktor na babae, Dr. Cristina Montenegro.

"Are you the family of Miss Kayle Alaina Alvarez?''

Hindi kumibo si Papa pero tumayo siya. Tumayo din si Mama at lumapit sa doktor.

"Ako ang Mama ni Kayle. Is there any improvement on her condition, Doc?"
Malungkot na ngumiti ang doktor.

"Misis Alvarez, the condition of your daughter is getting worser. I'll give you two options here. First, a heart transplant but we need to compatible donor. And the second one is the operation to remove the artificial veins and replace with new ones. But whatever you will choose, it's up to the patient if she'll wake up or not, kung tatanggapin ba ng katawan niya ang pagbabago."

"Kalokohan, why would you suggest something not so sure! Buhay ng anak ko ang nakataya dito!" Galit na sabi ni Papa.

Mahinanon na tinignan si Papa ng Doktor.

"Mr. Alvarez, your daughter is having a complications right now. Hindi nagfoflow ng maayos ang dugo sa kanyang utak. If this becomes worse at hindi naagapan, a week from now, your daughter may suffers aneurysm. It's your call, pwede natin pahabain ang buhay niya with either of the two options or we'll wait on her death. We're a doctor here and we want your daughter to live."

Bumaling ang doctor kay saming lahat.

"Misis Alvarez, to all of you, I am sorry that you're in a difficult situation right now. I will be praying for Kayle's condition. I'll leave the waiver here and if you want to proceed with the operation, just look for me or go to the nurse station."

Nagpaalam ang doktor at naiwan kaming tulala lahat. Aziel and Mama are trying not to break down.

Pagkaalis nang doktor at galit na binalingan ni Papa si Aziel.

"You!! This is your fault! You said you'll take care of my daughter! Pero anong ginawa mo? Bakit mo siyang hinayaan na umalis nang gabing iyon?"

Umiiyak si Mama habang inaawat si Papa, pumagitna nadin si Advik kase gustong sugudin ni Papa si Aziel.

"Papa!"

Hinawakan ko ang braso ni Aziel pero tinabig niya lang ang kamay ko.

"I'm sorry, Tito.... Kasalanan ko ito." Lumuhod si Aziel habang umiiyak. Pilit kong tinatayo si Aziel pero hindi siya nagpatinag. Nanatili siyang nakaluhod at nakayuko kay Papa.

"Sorry?! Gigising ba si Kayle sa sorry mo?! Sumagot ka!" Galit na galit si Papa habang dinuduro si Aziel.

Ang sakit ng puso ko para kay Aziel. It's not his fault pero sinisisi siya. I always hated how my father speak irrational lalo na kapag para kay Kayle. I get that he wants to protect his daughter but I just hope not with expense of someone.