Solace Escape

Kabanata 20

10 more!!! This is unedited.

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Kabanata 20

We heard a loud drop, sabay kaming napatingin sa pintuan ng bahay nila at napahawak ako sa dibdib nang makitang nasa lapag na sa Fritzy.

"Fritzy!" Sol exclaimed and ran towards her. I was shaking, terrified that I almost crawl to where they are, gasping.

"F-Fritz..." I called, hindi alam ang gagawin.

My eyes watered more and I panicked when she started shaking.

Oh, God! Seizures!

"S-Sol..." I called, gasping. "D-Do something!"

Fritzy jerked more, her eyes rolling back a bit while she's having seizure attack.

I was in panic but Sol remained calm—or at least, that's just what he's been showing me.

"Kumuha ka ng unan!" aniya kaya mabilis kong hinila ang unan sa upuan at inabot sa kanya sa nanginginig na kamay.

He slowly and gently rolled Fritzy on her side before putting the soft pillow underneath her neck and head, glancing at his wrist watch with his sharp eyes. His breathing is slow but heavy at ako naman ay mabilis na hinawi ang mga gamit na p'wedeng masagi ni Fritzy.

It took her more than a minute until she stopped jerking. Pigil-pigil ko ang paghinga habang pinagmamasdan si Fritz at nang magmulat ang mata niya at maliit na ngumiti ay bumagsak ako paupo sa lapag.

"H-Hi, Ate ko," she greeted in a small voice.

"Fritz..." I called, smiling at her. "You okay, darling?"

"O-Opo..." bulong niya, "nag-nginig lang po ako ng u-unti..." she even teased.

Napasulyap ako kay Sol. He was seated on the ground, too, his eyes on his daughter's. Alam kong maraming beses na niyang nakitang ganito siya pero bakas nab akas pa rin ang takot sa mata niya.

He looked so lost, muling sinuklay niya at buhok at binasa ang labi.

"Ayos ka na, Fritz?" he asked gently.

"O-Opo," she nodded and I helped her sit. Umalalay din si Sol sa kanya hanggang sa makatayo siya. "Ate, Kuya... h'wag na kayo a-away po."

"Fritz," mas bumigat ang pakiramdam ko.

"Ate, ah? Kuya? M-Masakit po kasi sa puso po... hurt po ako." She whimpered.

I nodded to reassure her, apologizing. "Sorry, Fritz. Sorry, hindi na kami ulit mag-aaway ni Kuya... 'di ba, Sol?" sabay sulyap ko kay Sol na kunot pa ang noo pero nang makita ang tingin ni Fritz ay tumango.

Fritz smiled, her eyes brighter before yawning.

"Kuya, antok ako..."

Tumango si Sol bago marahang binuhat sa bisig niya si Fritzy at naglakad papunta sa kwarto.

Fritzy and my eyes met halfway. She waved at me cutely.

"Good night, Ate," she smiled.

"Good night, Fritz," ngumiti ako at pinagmasdan silang pumasok sa kwarto.

I went out after, my knees still buckling. Nakita ko ang nagkalat na ulam sa lapag kaya inabot ko ang walis para linisin iyon at hindi na maperwisyo si Sol dahil sa akin.

I then heard soft whimpers and a small smile broke on my lips upon seeing Pookie sniffing on my feet and trying to eat the leftovers.

"Madumi na 'yan! H'wag mong kainin, Pookie," I told the piglet but of course, she won't understand me. If she did, I'd totally fly away from here because that's just crazy.