Walang Forever: Ang Diary ng Bitter

Chapter Fourteen: Painful Wounds

-Angie's POV-

Everthing happens for a reason.

Sabi nila, lahat ng mga bagay-bagay na nangyayari ay may dahilan. Maganda man o hindi. Lahat na posibleng mangyari, may natutunan tayo. At lahat na siguro na nangyari sa akin, ito na ang pinaka-challenging.

There's nothing more challenging than be far away from someone you loved.

Siguro nga, wala nang mas lulungkot pa na ika'y mapalayo sa taong mahal mo.

I did my best to be stronger and braver for him. Nagsikap ako't nagpakatatag for him.

* * *

I was in the Science Laboratory when I received a notice from the guidance counselor. I have to go there A.S.A.P.!

I was clueless then. Why did the guidance counselor call my attention?

I rushed towards the GC's office. When I opened the door of the office to meet the guidance counselor, I saw somebody that, in the first, was unexpected.

"Ms. Evelyn?!"

She smiled at me.

Napangiti din ako dahil sa wakas nakita ko narin siya. Pero teka? Ba't wala si Drei?

I gave Ms. Evelyn a greeting kiss.

"Have a seat, Ms. Garcia" invited by the guidance counselor. "Ms. Evelyn would like to talk to you about Drei."

I looked at Ms. Evelyn.

"Saan po Drei tita?"

She held my hand.

"He's fine." She cleared her throat and readied herself to say what's next. "Actually, pinapasundo ka niya kaya ako naparito."

I smiled showing my excitement because finally, I can see the person I longed and wanted to see for weeks. Makikita ko narin si Drei. Heto ang araw na pinakahihintay ko.

We used Ms. Evelyn's car as our ride to where we will meet Drei. Habang nasa byahe, hindi ko maintindihan ang aking nararamdaman. May halong excitement na may kaba. Ewan ko. Nagkahalo-halo na ata lahat nag feelings ko. Anyways, magkikita rin naman kami.

Ms. Evelyn just kept silent during the ride. Ako naman, hindi mapakali.

The car had its full stopped. I just noticed that were in front of a private hospital.

"Let's go." Ms. Evelyn softly said. Napatulala ako bigla.

"Tita, bakit po tayo nasa hospital?" I wondered why.

She did not answer anymore. She just held my hand and headed towards to an exclusive room. Mas lalong lumakas ang kaba at pintig ng aking puso. As she opened the door, dahan-dahan ko namang inihanda ang aking sarili.

When we entered the room, I saw no one but Drei lying on the bed. He was asleep supported by a breathing apparatus.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang una kong mararamdaman habang papalapit ako sa kanya. Should I be happy that I saw him? Or, be unhappy that he was on that situation?

"Drei asked me to keep it from you." Ms. Evelyn sorrowfully said. "He was diagnosed with colon cancer...stage four." She started to cry.

Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin. Para akong nanghina bigla. Napaupo nalang ako sa tabi. I felt my tears running on my cheeks.

"Ayaw niyang makita mo siyang ganito kasi alam niya na malulungkot ka. And, he didn't want you to worry for him."

I gently touched Drei's hand.

"Napaka-unfair mo Drei. Ang daya mo." I said. "Sabi, mo hindi mo ako iiwan." I cried even harder. "Diba sabi mo, you will protect me....that you will be on my side no matter what. Iiwan mo rin pala ako."

Parang akong batang iyak nang iyak.

Drei woke up. He tried to wipe my tears but I can see his difficulty in doing that so I moved my face closer to him.

"Sor-ry that I can't do it any-more." Alam kong kahit hirap siyang magsalita, he tried.

"Sshh... Tahan na. Huwag ka nang magsalita." I gently touced his face. "Nandito na ako."

"An..gie.. Prom..mise me that y..ou won't st..op lov...ving."

"Stop saying that. We will be together for long time pa. Diba, sabay tayong aakyat ng stage sa graduation. Sabi mo, ikaw ang sasabit ng medals ko. Sabay pa tayong pupunta ng London. Diba, sabi mo marami pa tayong gustong gawin. Kaya, magpalakas ka."

"I...know...I won't make it Angie...Sor-ry that I have to leave you."

"No. No. Stop saying that... Drei, hindi ko kaya."

"Do it fo..r me."

"Don't leave me, Drei."

"Prom-mise me."

"I promise."

Kahit masakit, kinaya ko. Kahit mahirap, pinilit ko.

"Angie, ma-tu-tu-log na ako." Drei said while catching his breath.

"Drei, huwag muna." I beg. "Please..." I held his hand even tighter. Hindi ko siya kayang bitawan. I won't let him go.

"I lo..ve you, An...gie."

"I love you more, Drei." I kissed him on his forehead.

Drei closed his eyes slowly. Naramdaman kong bigla nalang lumuwag ang pagkakahawak ni Drei sa kamay ko.

"Drei...?!"

Parang ang bilis nang mga sumunod na pangyayari. Naramdaman ko nalang na inalalayan ako ng isang nurse palayo kay Drei.

I saw that a doctor was trying to revive him. They did all their best for him when the doctor finally said: Time of death - 9:40 am.

"ANDREI...!"

Nilapitan ko ang walang-buhay na katawan ni Drei. At parang hindi parin makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. I wished that this was just a dream. I wished it's not happening. That Drei will come back and be with me again.