The Unseen Trial [Ace Lucifer's Series Three] ON GOING

Forty Third Trial

PRESENT TIME

"B-bakit...b-buhay p-pa a-ako?"

It may be a throaty voice, but it was all clear for all of them to hear. All of them to realize what Candace meant by that question. Natigilan si Tita Candrix, pati si Tito Bailey. Napatakip sa bibig si Tita Candace at hindi malaman ang gagawin.

But then, relief washed over him when Candace's eyes are already open, realizing that Candace is already awake. She came back to them... to him. She didn't give up. She stayed. She fought. His prayers were answered.

Seeing Candace...

It was like he came back to life too, and the sanity that slowly leaving him, it came back. Gone his impatience, gone his what ifs, gone his worries for Candace leaving him...them...

She's awake.

She's here...

Thank God...

Thank you...Adi. Thank you for coming back.

"Candace!" Macey was the first one to speak. Naging alerto ang pagkilos nito. She took the things needed on the side table, near the machines, and check up on Candace, pero hahawakan niya pa lang ang mukha ni Candace nang mabilisang tinabig nito ang kamay niya. Natigilan si Macey sa ginawa, at napatingin sa kaniya.

Hindi ito nagsalita. Nakatingin lang sa itaas. Nakakunot ang noo. Paulit-ulit na kumukurap, na para bang kapag ginawa 'yon ay maibabalik ang paningin niya.

"Tang...i-ina..." anito. Malalim na napalunok, at mukhang may gusto pang sabihin. Candace moved, trying to stand up, pero bago pa nila mapigilan ay hindi sapat ang lakas nito. Macey already informed him that once Candace will wake up, she will not be having enough strength to move even a single finger. Ang epekto ng aksidente ang dahilan, at dagdag pa ang pagka-coma nito.

"Candace..." Pilit na tinapangan ni Bryson ang sarili. He tried to hold Candace too, but it seems like Candace felt his hand, and shoved it away in an instant even at weakest.

"T-tang...ina." Ulit nito. Her eyes shut closely, attempting another one to gain her sight back, but she fail once again. Lumalim ang pag-hinga nito. Macey proceeded on checking up on her, pero pilit na nanalalaban si Candace kahit nanghihina pa ito. Arrow was the one who stopped Candace's hands from moving. Hindi na ito nakalaban pa.

"Candace...anak..." Tita Candrix was the one who hold Candace's hands but then, Candace avoided the hold of her mother.

"W-wag n-niyo kong... h-hawakan..."

"Candace, 'wag ka muna masyadong magsalita..." magaang sabi ni Macey. Nilingon siya nito. "Bry, tubig please..."

Mabilis siyang tumalima. Wala siyang magawak kung hindi ang tumayo sa likod ni Macey. Ayaw magpahawak ni Candace sa kahit kanino sa kanila, at panay ang pag-iwas nito kahit pa sa ginagawa ni Macey. It took them few minutes before Macey handed Candace a water, assisting her to drink it too. Sapilitan pa dahil ayaw ni Candace, at panigurong hindi nito iyon magagawa kung hindi lang ito nanghihina.

Macey checked her, and let Candace rest who seem to be given up. Hindi na ito nagsalitang muli. Para bang sumuko na at hinaayan ng gawin ang gusto. Hindi 'rin magawang lumapit nang tuluyan ng mga magulang nito ulit dahil na 'rin sa nakikitang kilos ni Candace. Para bang may napagtanto ang mga ito, at nahihiya...o nakokonsensya.

"Tito, tita, ihatid ko po muna kayo sa guest room para makapag-pahinga po kayo." Si Arrow na ang nag-aya sa mga ito na lumabas na lang ng kwarto. "I will tell you what happened to Candace..."

Sinubukang lumapit ni Tita Candrix kay Candace para kahit manlang hawakan o, halikan ang noo nito pero mukhang naramamdaman iyon ni Candace, at kahit nanghihina pa man, umiwas ito sa abot ng makakaya. Nagkatinginan sila ni Macey, at natigilan naman si Tita Candrix. She looked hurt. Arrow sighed at what happened.