A Mafia's Obsession

CHAPTER 24

LORI'S POV (Luliana's mother)

"Apo, Kyle. Bangon na, pupuntahan pa natin ang Mommy mo. At mag-celebrate pa tayo ng kaarawan mo," I gently woke my grandson. He’s changed so much since his Mom passed away. It breaks my heart as his Lola to see him crying every night. Most times he’s quiet, doesn’t say a word. Sometimes he’s just staring blankly into space, and he doesn’t eat much. It’s heartbreaking to see him going through this at eight years old.

He’s not as active in school anymore, either.

"Lola, I don't want to celebrate my birthday without my Mommy," he said, his voice filled with sadness.  My heart ached.  That's his usual response. I guess he’s not really in the mood to celebrate since his Mommy can’t sing to him anymore.

"Apo, kasama pa rin naman natin ang Mommy mo, you know. Just wish again that she’s okay," I tried to encourage him.

"Lola, I already wished for that many times, and nothing’s happening. I’m losing hope," he said, tears welling up in his eyes. I sighed deeply.

"Sige ka, baka magalit ang Mommy mo kapag hindi tayo dumalaw sa kaniya," I tried to blackmail him, and I saw Alicia, Kristine’s daughter, sit down beside him and nod at me.

"Kyle, you have to be ready. Sige ka, baka mag-tampo si Mommy mo, ikaw rin," Alicia said. I smiled at her and nodded.

"Sige Lola, Ate, mag-r-ready na po ako," he said, his voice a bit forced. I smiled at him and kissed his forehead, just like Grace used to do.

"Happy birthday, gwapo. Smile ka na," Alicia said.

"Happy birthday, apo. Smile ka na, hindi maganda mag-celebrate ng birthday ng nakasimangot," I greeted him, and he finally smiled.

"Thankyou po Lola, Ate. Mag-hahanda na po ako," he said. We both nodded.

"Kailan po kaya babalik sigla niya?" Alicia asked. I shook my head. I don't know the answer to that either.

"Siguro pag maayos na ang Mommy niya, nagka-ganyan siya simula nung may nangyari sa mommy niya," I said. She sighed deeply.

Napahinga rin ako ng malalim. He's not the happy-go-lucky kid he used to be. He doesn't even want to celebrate his birthday anymore, and he hardly even looks at his dad. Sometimes, I see the pain in Mateo's eyes when Kyle ignores him.

~~~   

Papunta kami ngayon sa Aquino Hospital para dalawin si Luliana. Oo, buhay siya pero nasa coma siya for four years. Ang iba nga nagsasabi na bumitaw na kami pero hindi kami pumayag dahil lumalaban pa siya based sa aparato.

Pero bago kami tuluyang pumunta sa hospital, dumaan muna kami sa bilihan ng cakes at iba pang pagkain. Ininvite ko rin ang kaibigan ni Luliana, sina Jake, na kasalukuyang nasa hospital na. Andun na rin sila Majika.

"Ayos ka lang, apo?" tanong ko. Tumango lang siya bilang sagot.

"'Wag ka na sad, pumapangit ka," biro ni Alicia.

Kyle clicked his tongue. "Ate naman, e," he said, sounding annoyed. Just like his dad, he's quite the fussy one. I just smiled.

His sister, Alicia, just laughed at him.

When we arrived at Aquino Hospital, we quickly went upstairs because everyone was already there waiting for us.

"Happy Birthday, Kyle!" everyone in Luliana's room shouted at once.

The whole Montevallo family was there, including Kristine. Mica and Francisco were also there, and thankfully, Francisco was doing okay. Jam, Kyle's old nanny, was also there.  Kyle just smiled and walked towards his mom, who was still lying in bed. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Hindi ka pa ba gigising, Mommy? It's my birthday again... and you're still here, sleeping. I miss you, Mom. Please wake up." he said, his voice filled with sadness. We all fell silent. I walked over to Kyle and rubbed his back.

I bit my lower lip, trying to hold back the tears that were forming.

~~~

My mind was awake, but my eyes wouldn't open. My body felt heavy, and I could hear noises all around me, but I couldn't make out what they were.

I wanted to open my eyes, but I had no strength. My throat was parched. I felt so thirsty.

"Happy Birthday!" I heard shouts from all around me. Happy birthday? Whose birthday was it? But then they fell silent. I felt someone come closer to me, kiss my cheek, and hold my hand.

"Hindi ka pa ba gigising, Mommy? It's my birthday again... and you are still here, sleeping, I miss you, Mom. Please wake up." Parang may kung anong tumusok sa dibdib ko dahil sa narinig ko.

May naramdaman din akong braso sa aking tyan at ramdam ko rin ang pagka basa sa braso ko.

Umiiyak siya.

“Mommy, aren’t you tired of sleeping? It’s almost five years and you’re still lying here.  Don’t you miss me?” he sobbed. “I’m getting bigger. I just turned eight. Please come back, Mommy. I tried to be strong because that’s what you told me to do, but seeing you like this, I can’t be strong like you said. Please wake up, Mommy. Please. Your baby needs you.”

I wanted to cry because of what I was hearing.

"A lot of people are saying we should let you go, let you rest, but I'm selfish. We're selfish for not letting you go. I can't lose my Mommy. I don't want to let go, Mommy, because you told me to be strong, and I have been, but I'm slowly getting weaker. It breaks my heart into pieces, Mommy. It hurts so much in my chest."   The tears finally spilled down my cheeks.

That's right, anak. You need to be strong, but don't be strong all the time you need to cry too. Don't give up on me, baby.

"Apo, your Mommy will wake up soon. Just wait a little longer, my apo," I heard a familiar voice say.

It was Mama.

Slowly, I opened my eyes. A single tear rolled down my cheek.

Everything was blurry. I could see light, but my hearing was clear.

Ilang sandali lang ay luminaw na ang paligid, nakita ko ang nagkukumpulang tao. Nasa tabi ko ang babae at ang lalaki, at ang bata ay nakayakap sa akin habang yakap siya ng babae.

Si Mama at ang anak ko.

Gusto kong tanungin kung bakit sila umiiyak, pero hindi ko magawang ibuka ang bibig ko.

Nag-angat ng ulo ang anak ko at nagtama ang aming mga mata. Napalitan ang malungkot niyang mukha ng gulat.

"Mommy!" he shouted in surprise, rubbing his eyes. Everyone else turned to look at us. Mama pressed something on the headboard beside my head.

"M-Mommy, can, can you see me? C-can you hear me?" His voice trembled. My baby.

I wanted to hug him, but I couldn't move.

I heard the door opening and closing, and the nurse telling everyone to go outside for a while.

"Check her vitals," I heard a man's voice say.

They tried to get everyone out of the room, but they wouldn't leave. It was like they wanted to see what would happen.

My vision slowly cleared. I was sure I was alive, and I could understand what people were saying.

I followed my son with my eyes. I could see the excitement and joy in his eyes. He was smiling now.

"Mommy, we're all here for you. You can do this!" He shouted happily. I heard Mama's happy laugh.

Lumapit sa akin ang doctor at nagsimula nang magtanong ng kung anu-ano na hindi ko masagot.

"Ms. Cartier, can you hear me? Can you move your fingers for me?" he asked. Because of my son's shouts, I tried even though it was difficult.

"Go, Mommy! We're right here! I love you po!"  he said happily. Because of his voice, I tried.  For my son.

Ilang beses kong sinubukan, pero hinang-hina ang katawan ko. Hanggang sa nakayanan kong igalaw ang isa sa daliri ko. Narinig ko ang sigaw ng anak ko at paulit-ulit na isinisigaw na "Mommy" ako nito. Pilit siyang pinapalabas ng nurse, pero ayaw niya.

"Good, Ms. Cartier. Can you blink?" he asked. I wanted to blink, but I was scared that I wouldn't wake up and it was all just a dream.  But I still did it.

"That's my Mommy!" sigaw ng anak ko naiiyak akong lumingon dito.

"Do you know this kid? can you say his name?" tanong ng doctor sinubukan kong ibuka ang labi ko pero parang mas nanghihina ako.

Nakita kong bumagsak ang balikat nito at malungkot na bumaling sa doctor.

"My Mommy can't remember me? but why?" mahinang sabi nito kaya na ikina lungkot, sinubukan ko ulit this time nasabi ko ang pangalan ng anak ko.

"He, H-he... is m-my son, K-kyle," I said, struggling to get the words out. But I managed to say that he is my son and what his name is.

I saw him jump up and hug Mama.

"My Mommy remembered me, Lola! Did you hear that po?" he cried out. Mama nodded and wiped away a tear.

"Yes, apo. Lola's proud of your Mommy," Mama said with a smile. They couldn't hold back any longer. Mama and Kyle came close to me and hugged me. I looked around and saw Tita Majika, Kristine, and my friends, especially Mateo, who was staring at me with a small smile on his lips.