The first thing I did the moment I wake up is to fix myself and go to Manila immediately. I just ate brunch outside the hospital where River was confined before I head up to his room. I fix myself first before facing him and his parents. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na makikita ko sila dahil picture lang naman ang ipinapakita sa 'kin ni River noon.
Kumatok muna ako nang marahan at naghintay sa labas para pagbuksan nila ako ng pinto nang sa gayon ay hindi ko sila mabigla at maistorbo sa kung ano man ang nangyayari sa loob. Agad akong sinalubong ng isang moreno, matipuno, at matangkad na matandang lalaki. Nakasuot ito ng itim na longsleeve polo at makikita sa postura nito ang pagiging elegante. Tatay nga ni River.
"Pierreson." Agad na sabi nito nang makita ako at nginitian. "I'm the father of River. Halika sa loob."
Tipid ko itong nginitian bilang ganti at umunlak sa kaniyang paanyaya. Nang makapasok ako ay una kong nakita ang nakahigang si River sa kama ng kwarto. Nakapikit ang mga mata nito pero bakas sa kaniyang katawan an pagod.
"Hi, Pierreson." Bati sa 'kin ng ginang na sa tingin ko ay ang kaniyang nanay. "I am Beth. The mother of River." Sinuri ko itong mabuti at doon ko napansin na karamihan sa mga features ni River ay nakuha niya sa kaniyang tatay, tanging ang labi lang nito at ang maputing kutis ang nakuha niya sa ginang.
"Magandang araw po." Ang sabi ko.
"Kumain ka na? Maupo ka muna" Tanong nito sa 'kin.
"Opo bago po ako pumunta rito. Kumusta po si River?"
"He's stable now hindi gaya noong nakaraan na isinugod namin siya rito."
"Mabuti po kung ganoon. Ano po ang plano niyo? Dito po ba kami o uuwi po kami ng Bataan?" Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa dahil ito naman talaga ang ipinunta ko rito. Upang malaman ang maari namin na gawin upang mas kayanin pa ni River ang condis'yon niya.
"That's what we are thinking, Pierreson. What can you suggest?"
"I think that it is best for him to stay in Bataan, Sir. The environment here will not help him recover because I also feel like it can also be detrimental to his health. Unlike in Bataan where he can breathe more."
"Okay. That's what we're going to do then."
"You don't have to follow it naman, Sir. You are his parents and you know what is best for him. Sinasabi ko lang naman po ang sa palagay ko na tama."
"Don't worry, Pierreson. Parehas lang tayo ng iniisip. Alam namin na hindi mo naman hahayaan si River na malagay sa alanganin." Saad ng nanay ni River. "You wouldn't be here if you don't care about him."
Ngiti lang ang iginanti ko rito at inilaan ang atensiyon kay River na nasa harapan ko. Nanatili ang mga tingin ko sa kaniya bago muling magsalita ang tatay nito.
"How much do we pay you, Pierreson?"
"About that, Sir...." I paused for a bit to think whether I'll accept the offer or not because clearly, I only came here for River health. That's just it. I already forgot about the money if he did not mention it again.
"Again, don't worry about anything. This will stay between the three of us. Hindi makakarating kay River ang lahat ng tungkol sa pera na usapan natin. So, how much? We heard how your business partner got away the money you have back then. We can give it to you right away, Pierreson. It will help you to start over." Ang tatay nito.
"You don't have to pay me, Sir. I came here for River and not for the money. It will really help me a lot if I accept that, yes, but I can always think of other income where I can get more money. Let's just focus on River's welfare, Sir, Ma'am." I said to them with full of confidence.
"We misjudged you, Pierreson. Now, we understand why all those years, River only stay with you. You're purity and genuineness can not overcome by anything." Ani ng nanay ni River.
"I'm sorry for all the things that happened in the past. Let me and wife make it up to you, Pierreson." Then he came right in me and give his hand as sign of respect and I accepted it. "River is yours. Hindi na namin kayo tututulan pa." Nakangiting sabi nito.
"I appreciate what you both said, but it is really the right thing to do. And I am sorry to break this, but what River and I had is only in the past. I don't have any more reasons to continue what we started. I am just here to take care and help him. Nothing more, Ma'am, Sir."
Sa pagkakataon na iyon ay ibinaling kong muli ang mga paningin ko kay River at doon ko nakita ang mga bukas na mata nito na nakatingin sa 'kin at puno ng kalungkutan.
"I can take care of myself." Ang unang salitang lumabas sa bibig niya. Doon napatingin ang mga magulang niya sa kaniya at saka pinuntahan ito at tumabi sa kaniyang kama. Tumayo ako at nanatili lang na nasa gilid nito at nakatingin sa kaniya.
"Call the Doctor, Bernardo. We need to see his situation." Umalis ito at naiwan kami na tatlo kasama ang nanay ni River. "Kumusta ang lagay mo, anak?"
"I am okay, Mom." Sabi niya bago ibaling ang paningin sa 'kin. " And Pierre, just go home. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ka talaga nandito pero kung para alagaan ako ay tama na. I've already caused you too much trouble."
"Let's just talk about this when you're really okay, River. I will stay with you no matter what you say."
Magsasalita pa sana ito pero dumating na ang kaniyang Doctor at agad itong tinanong ng kung ano-anong bagay na kaugnay sa kaniya at sa mga nararamdaman niya. Nanatili lang akong nakaupo sa upuan ng silid at nakatingin sa kanila. Hanggang natapos na ang lahat at tuluyan nang lumabas ang kaniyang Doctor.
"We'll just accompany Doc outside. Bibili na rin kami ng makakain sa labas." River's Mom said. "Pierre's here, may tiwala kami sa kaniya."
Tango nalang ang iginanti ni River. Nakalabas na sila at kaming dalawa na lamang ang natitira sa silid. Silence eat us both that's why I have to think of something to ask because I don't want us to stay like this. Magsasama kami sa mga susunod na buwan at gusto ko na kahit papaano ay wala kaming ilangan sa isa't isa.
"Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo?" Panimula ko.
"Did they offer you money that's why you're here?" Tanong nito pabalik.
"Yes, they did, but I did not accept it. I came here to look out and take care of you."
"That's bullshit, Pierre. Don't lie, please."
"I am not lying, River."
Napabuntong hininga nalang ito at hindi na tinugunan pa ang sinabi ko kaya minabuti ko na rin na hindi na magsalita dahil ayaw ko na bumigat pa ang pakiramdam niya kakaisip. Nanatili kaming tahimik na dalawa hanggang sa muli siyang magsalita.
"Is just taking care of me is the only reason why you're here, Pierre?"
"Yes, River. If I can help you to fight harder, I will do it. You're still young and there's so many things ahead for you."
"Iyon lang talaga, Pierre?"
"Iyon lang talaga, River."
"Can you at least pretend that you love me kahit hanggang sa matapos lang ang lahat?"
BINABASA MO ANG
The Light of Midnight (BxB)
RomanceIllumination Series #3 (On going) River Valentino Alvaro came from a well-known family of politicians. He will always have the privilege of getting all the things he wants in his life, except a good and loving family. He always wondered what it was...