Hush Louder

#HL34 Part 2

#HL34

Part Two

DOCTOR Xalvien's behavior became more and more aggressive. Most of his episodes happen at public places. He attacks Xantiel and Xildius out of nowhere. He keeps on denying knowing me and Fift. Marami nang mga tao ang nakakakilala sa amin dahil sa mga biglaang outburst ni Xalvien.

We had no choice but to hold an emergency meeting at a park. Nasa malayo si Vien, nakatalikod sa amin dahil ayaw niyang sumama.

"I found out that there's a special hospital here in this island which specializes in his condition," Professor Xildius carefully stated. "I think we can take Xalvien there. Matutulungan nila siya roon."

"Pero Prof, narito tayo para sa kaarawan ni Fior, eh." Hinawakan nang mahigpit ni Fift ang manggas ng kaniyang asawa. "Kailangan ba talagang umabot sa ganito?"

"Fift, kahit naman ako ay ayaw ko." Ngayon ko lamang nakita si Xantiel na ganito kabalisa. "But we have no choice. Tsk! I hate to say this, but Xalvien is becoming too hostile."

"I-Ikaw, Fiorisce? Ano sa tingin mo?" Bumaling sa akin si Fift. Her eyes are full of worry.

I gave her a fake smile and chuckled away the pain. My teeth bit my lip hard, trying to suppress my tears. "I don't want to be selfish. Kahit masakit, k-kung ito ang mas nakakabuti para kay Vien, ayos lang sa akin. We can stay here in this island until he feels better."

With heavy hearts, we took Xalvien to the said hospital which specializes in this field. Ineksamina siya ng mga doktor doon at isa-isa kaming kinausap tungkol sa kaniyang naging pag-uugali. Pagkatapos ng matinding pagsusuri ay parehas sila ng naging initial conclusion sa sinabi ng propesor. Xalvien was suffering from Capgras syndrome. Na-admit siya roon at kinailangan muna naming iwan pansamantala.

When we got back inside the villa, I locked myself in my room. Pinagmasdan ko ang regalo nilang malaking painting. Hinaplos ko ito at dinama ang gaspang mula sa mga natuyong pinta. Tracing my fingers over those rough contours made me feel their presence, it made me imagine how Vien and Venge worked together in order to finish this painting together.

"Venge. . . Vien. . ." pasinghap kong banggit. "You guys will return to me, right? We promised each other."

Umupo ako sa tapat ng malaking painting, at pinagmasdan ito nang matagal. Some tiny scribbles at the bottom caught my attention, I didn't notice it before when I saw the painting for the first time. Lumapit ako at binasa ang nakasulat doon.

Always remember that we love you.

Reading those words caused my tears to fall once again. "V-Vien, V-Venge. . ." Nilapat ko ang aking noo sa larawan. "I missed you guys already. Please come back. Come back to me. . ."

***

PAGLUBOG ng araw ay naisipan kong bumisita sa kuwarto nina Venge at Vien. Nang makarating doon, isang munting pagkislap ang tumawag sa aking atensyon, nagmumula ito sa ilalim ng kama. Pagyuko, napansin kong isa itong maliit na butones.

It wasn't just any button—it was Vien and Venge's comm-button!

I picked it up and ran immediately to inform the others. "Professor! Xantiel! Fift!" hinihingal kong pagtawag. "Naiwan ni Vien ang comm-button niya!"

Nagkatinginan sina Xildius at Xantiel. The professor looked at his wife and touched her cheek. "I'll go. Kailangan niya ito. I'll deliver it to him."

Nang subukang kunin ito ni Xildius mula sa akin ay pirmi kong tinikom ang aking kamao at nilayo ito sa kaniya. "No, professor. Ako ang maghahatid nito sa kaniya. I will be the one who'll save them."