Lean on Me (Wandering Soul #1)

Chapter 8: Javi

I was about to go to bed when Kuya Peter suddenly called me. Bihira siyang tumawag nang gabi na kaya pumasok agad sa isip ko na baka may emergency na nangyari sa bahay.

"Hello, Kuya. Bakit ka napatawag?" Bungad ko sa kanya pagkasagot.

"Pumunta ka ngayon dito sa bahay, Javier. Papa isn't feeling well and Mama is requesting everyone to be here." He sounded anxious.

Hindi na ako nagtanong pa ng ibang detalye tungkol sa kondisyon ni Papa. I immediately got my keys and went to my car. In about 15 minutes, I arrived at our house. Nakita ko agad ang mga kapatid ko sa sala na nagtitipon at tahimik na nag-uusap. They looked tired and sleepy. Nang makalapit ako sa kanila ay saka lang din nila ako napansin.

"Anong nangyari?" Tanong ko kahit kanino. It was Kuya Simon who answered.

"Sumasakit na naman daw ang dibdib ni Papa. It persisted for a few minutes. Binigyan naman na ng gamot ng nurse niya. He's currently resting in their room."

"Si Mama? Kumusta?"

"She's with Papa. Hindi mapakali." Ate Felisse answered. I nodded, imagining my parents in their room—my father enduring the pain and my Mama's worried face.

I walked to a vacant space on one of the sofas. Tumabi ako kay Ate Aliice na tulog na yata dahil nakasandal lang ang ulo sa likod ng upuan at nakapikit na. My other siblings were continuously talking about our father's condition and how it was worsening. Nakikinig lang ako at hindi pa nagbalak na umambag sa usapan.

Kuya Tim was talking about how we needed to prepare for the worst about Papa's condition when Ate Felisse stopped him midway by shushing him. Lumingon si Kuya Tim sa likuran at nang sundan namin ang tingin niya ay nakita namin si Mama na pababa sa engrandeng hagdan kasama ang nurse ni Papa.

"Are you complete now?" Mama asked upon stopping beside Kuya Simon. She looked at all of us before smiling weakly. "Dito na lang kayo matulog ngayong gabi para kapag nagising si Papa bukas ay makita niya agad kayo."

The moment she uttered those words, I met her eyes. She was directly looking at me. Tingin ko ako rin ang pinaparinggan niya dahil alam niyang hindi ko talaga gustong manatili pa sa bahay na iyon dahil sa sirang relasyon ko kay Papa. Umiwas ako ng tingin saglit at pinagtangis ang panga.

"Is he sleeping now, Ma?" Ate Alice asked. Nabigla pa ako dahil hindi ko namalayan na nagising na pala siya.

"Yes, dear. The emergency drug worked. Hopefully, tomorrow he'll be better." Mama said gently before sighing deeply like it would remove whatever was blocking on her airway.

Ngayon ko nakikita kung gaano kapagod tingnan si Mama. I couldn't remember the last time weariness painted on her face. Maybe before I came back to Manila... after the last fight I had with Papa.

She was always smiling whenever she saw us. She looked graceful and elegant. Papa's health must really be taking a toll on her.

I stood to go to my mother's side. I suddenly had the urge to hug her. Mama was my favorite person in the world, and it was breaking my heart seeing her so down. I kissed the side of her head.

"I'll sleep here tonight, Ma. Mauuna na po ako sa kwarto ko."

I could've stood my ground and let my pride speak. I could've used my work as an excuse so that I could leave. But, I didn;t want to add burdens on my mother's shoulder. Kung ikapapanatag ng loob niya ngayong gabi ang pananatili ko rito, gagawin ko.

I excused myself from the lot. I went upstairs and walked to my room. Madadaanan ko sa hallway ang pinto ng kwarto nila Mama kaya tumigil muna ako saglit para sumilip doon. The only light that illuminated the room came from the lamp beside Papa. He was lying on the bed, his head and upper back were slightly elevated. His eyebrows were pinched like he was enduring something painful. I hoped he would somehow get a good night's sleep.