Floral Cardigan

88

Adelaide's operation was success and she was moved to her own private room. She still not waking up. Sinabi ko sa pamilya niya na ako muna magbabantay sa kaniya.

I sat at the chair beside her bed, she was peacefully lying in that bed. I grasped for her hand.

"Ang daya, Adelaide. Gustong-gusto ko magalit sa'yo for leaving me without a single explanation but every time, I'll see you, all that anger and grudge just disappears." I heave a deep sigh, I felt tears forming in my eyes. "Tapos kung kailan, maririnig ko na ang rason na matagal kong hinihintay na sabihin mo, napunta ka pa sa ganitong sitwasyon. Please wake up, I want to hear what happened directly from you."

I placed my head on the empty space beside her arm.

"Apollo...?"

I slowly raised my head when I heard someone call me. I was shocked when I saw it was Adelaide with a confused face. I looked around, her family is still not here yet. I shifted my gaze to the clock and saw that it was already past seven, I didn't realize I fell asleep.

I glanced back at her.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?"

Tumango siya. "Meron. Dito oh," itinuro niya ang puso niya. "Ang sakit mo kaya sa heart." she chuckled but stopped when she noticed I kept a serious face.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked instead.

Nagtaka siya. "Huh? Ang alin?"

"Why didn't you tell me what hardship you're going through at that time? I should have been there for you and given all the comfort you need. I'm sorry for what happened to Tito."

Malungkot siyang ngumiti. "Astley told you?" I nodded. "I missed Dad... so much. But I want you to know that you were always there for me naman, Apollo. I am truly sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked.

"I'm sorry for leaving you, Apollo. Natakot kasi ako... natakot ako na baka madamay lang kita sa problema ko. Natakot ako na baka masama lang kita pag bagsak ng buhay ko. I don't want that so I thought leaving you is the best way."

"But it was not... it was never the best way."

"I'm really sorry." aniya.

"Losing you was losing everything."

Umiling siya at ngiti sakin. "Losing me won't make you lose everything, Apollo because look at you, you're such a capable pilot now. I'm happy because rather than neglecting your studies, you even focus on it more."

"Maybe I am but I lost you along the way. I lost you... you said you'll be with me through my journey..." I answered.

Muli siyang umiling. "It was worth it though. I don't care if you lost me especially if it means seeing you where you are now. However, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise but God knows how much I really want to."

"I know." sagot ko.

"I wanted to stay. I hated myself because I left you... because I hurted you. I hurted such a good man... man that anyone would ask for. I'm sorry."

"I'm tired of you apologizing, Adelaide. But I'm sorry as well if I wasn't the man that assured you that you can lean on me during the painful times."

She bursted into tears. "No. No, A-apollo. I'm the one who's at fault... you didn't fail to assure you that you're always there." Her voive broke,  nahihirapan na siyang punasan ang kaniyang mga luha. "I know that you're mad at me and you have all the rights. I-i was weak and coward."

This time I'm the one who shooked my head. "Hush now... Let's put the past behind." 

Unting-unti siyang nag-angat ng tingin, tila naguguluhan. "How come-"

"Let's start again, Sanc." nakangiti kong sambit.