Away From You

10 - Scared

- TRAUMATIZED BY YOU -

"Time of death 9:16 am" Irene heard the doctor in the other room and because of that she became more worried. Hearing the cries of the family inside that room breaks her into pieces.

She hopes that they'll not experience that too soon.

After another hour of waiting, the doctors finally came out of the room.

"Any family member?" The doctor asked, Irene immediately went near to her. Same with Betty.

"Mother"

"Nanay"

they said, sabay na sabay. The doctor looked confused but she managed to nod her head and she told them about Maya or should I say Candice's condition.

"She's now stable and tomorrow or a day after tomorrow siya magigising. I'll do my rounds na and then I will be back later to check her again. The doctor conveyed before she left them behind.

...

After a few weeks had gone, Maya had already recovered from the accident that happened at the beach. She is currently residing with her mother in their house, and the day after tomorrow she will be attending her classes again.

She experienced severe trauma. She was crying when she saw the sea on their way home. She was trembling.

She's not just traumatized by the water at the sea but also by the people with her before the incident happened... Irene and Eya.

It's been awhile since the three last saw each other. Irene would visit her, but Maya wasn't quite ready to see them. Is she mad? No. She isn't mad; Maya is afraid. She's actually blaming herself for what happened. "Baka may mangyari na naman kapag kasama mo ako," that line was conveyed by Maya the last time they talked.

As for Irene, she's hurt.

Irene POV:

It's been what? Three weeks? It's been three weeks since the last time I talked to you, anak.
I miss my first princess. It could be the death of me if this situation continues. If she will continue to ignore my presence, which I do understand, it's just that I am hurting.

Flashback;

Ate Betty and I talked about Maya, and we've decided that we will tell her the truth when she recovers. She will stay with me during the weekdays and with them during the weekends.

Candice isn't still waking up; days have passed since the last seizure.
The seizure was so scary, I thought Maya wouldn't make it. The doctors and nurses were panicked, and because of that, I panicked as well. I heard pa the "time of death" thingy kaya I'm so scared.

After two days, me and ate Betty are talking beside her bed. I am holding my daughter's hand, gently caressing it. It's just so soft.
I looked at my hand because I felt her fingers touch mine, and she touched it again.
"Can- Maya? Wake up, anak. You can hear me, diba?" I said to her.

I am patiently waiting for her to wake up. Her adoptive mother is talking to her as well.
"Hey, Sunshine," I conveyed. Ate Betty looked at me, confused. Sunshine was Candice's old nickname.

She slowly opened her eyes, and I smiled as soon as they were fully open. She's not blinking; she's just staring at the ceiling.
After a few minutes, she looked at us. "Mama Betty..." she weakly said.

I looked at her adoptive mother, and she just nodded at me.
My heart broke into pieces when she hugged her. That should be me.
"Mama, I miss you, and I'm sorry for leaving you again." Maya said, Ate Betty was just smiling. I am jealous.

End of flashback.

"Mom? Time to eat.." I came back to my senses when Eya called me. I nodded my head without actually looking at her.

I don't know what's gotten into me but I am treating her coldly. If she hasn't pushed herself to swim there, the accident won't happen. Her sister would not be harmed. We could still be with her.

I know naman na walang may gusto sa mga nangyari pero ang sakit lang kasi. I can't help it and I hate this!

I fixed myself before heading out of the room. I went downstairs and got myself directly inside the dining area. Ate Imee is there with Cataleya. I sat down in front of Ate and I put some rice on my plate.

I'm not glancing at them but I can feel their gazes on me.

"Irene" Ate Imee called me, "hmm?" I softly said. No one dared to talk to me since Candice got discharged. They knew.

"Are you alright?" She asked me lightly, How I wish I could show them my emotions. I really want to tell her that I am not, that I am hurting but I just can't. I don't want them to feel worried about me. "I am" I shortly answered.

"Why are you not looking at us? Are you still mad at her? At your daughter?" She directly asked. "Ta... " Eya interjects. "I am not. Who said I'm mad?" I said and gave her a question too.

"No one but your actions are telling us that you are. You can't even look at your own daughter. Look Irene, if you're mad at her because of what happened to Maya, stop it right now. You are just showing immaturity and stupidity!" She said firmly. I finally looked at them, Eya's eyes were brimmed with tears, same with mine.

"How could you invalidate my feelings? Can't you see, I am hurting! My first daughter doesn't want to see me because she's so scared. She's traumatized! And to clear things out, I am not mad at Eya! I just can't look at her because like what I've said earlier, I'm hurt!" I replied.. tears are flowing down.

"Alam naman namin na nasasaktan ka pero nasasaktan din kami! Nasasaktan yung anak mo! Nakakabawas ba ng sakit yang pag-iwas mo sa kanya? Hindi naman diba?!" Ate Imee stood up. Clenching her fist.

"Hindi ikaw ang na sa posisyon ko kaya hindi mo alam ang nararamdaman ko." I conveyed before I stood up "I'm done, excuse me" I added and walked out of the dining area.

After a few minutes, I just found myself inside my bedroom and crying endlessly.

Eya's POV

"Tita, you shouldn't have done that. Naiintindihan ko naman siya tita kasi ngayon lang natin nakilala yung ate ko tapos ganito pa ang mangyayari. Kasalanan ko din naman po" I said to her. Her two fingers were on her temple, simply massaging it while her eyes are closed.

"You know what, you did something wrong pero it's not your fault baby" she replied to me. She opened her eyes and looked directly at me.

"Don't blame yourself, okay? Walang may gusto sa aksidente" She added. I just nodded my head and smiled at her.

"Let's go na nga" tita Imee conveyed before she stood up. We went to her room and watched movie. I'm sure mom is still crying until now pero alam ko din na ayaw niya akong makita.

...