His Secret Wife (Completed)

Chapter 18: Cool Down

Chapter 18: COOL DOWN

"Your father might seem very healthy because he's smiling all the time, but he's not. I don't know how he's enduring all the pain, specially his headaches, but he's doing a great job concealing it. He doesn't have much time left but it looks like he can still last for months or even a year." I recalled Dr. Smith's last words about Dad's condition while looking at Dad playing with Lyrae.

He can scream and cry if he's undergoing headaches and so much pain. He doesn't need to show me that he's strong to face all of the pain dahil alam kong mahirap labanan yon. Mas pipiliin kong makita na nahihirapan siya para alam ko kung ano ang dapat kong gawin para sa kanya, kaysa nagpapanggap siyang masaya at nangangapa ako kung ano ang nararamdaman niya.

"What did his doctor tell you?" Sean asked me before he sat beside me that made me escape from my thoughts.

"Sinabi niya sa akin na wala na siyang magagawa para mapagaling si Daddy," sabi pa niya.

"How can a doctor just give up on his patient who's still breathing?"

"Maybe because his patient chose not to breathe anymore," sabi naman ni Sean at napalingon ako sa kanya.

He turned to look at me. Instead of the intense gaze he used to give me, his eyes now are full of compassion.

"I talked to your Dad when you're talking to his doctor. I also tried to convince him," sabi niya habang umiiling at saka sumandal sa aming inuupuan. "He doesn't want to fight anymore and I understand him. Naiintindihan ko ang dahilan ng daddy mo. I understand where he's coming from."

Maybe, Dad also told him that he already wants to be with my Mom...that's why he doesn't want to fight for his life.

"If I were also him, kapag nakita kong maayos na si Lyrae paglaki niya, I can also die already... Iyon ay kung mauuna kang iwan ako. Your dad's love for your mom unconditionally."

My lips slightly curved while remembering mom and dad's old photos. They love each other so much.

"Naiintindihan ko naman si Daddy... I know how much he loves Mom, but I still want to be with him, Sean. I wasn't prepared for these things to happen. Hindi pa ako handang mawala siya sa 'kin. I still need him. I still need his guidance. I still need him in my life."

"Well, we all need the person we love in our life. Pero minsan kahit gaano mo kailangan ang taong 'yon, hindi siya laging magiging nandyan para sa yo. We need to accept the fact that people can't live forever. We're not immortals. We do not have an eternal life. Ang mananatili lang siguro, 'yong pagmamahal na naiwan niya at patuloy mong ibinibigay. Pati na rin ang mga memories na nabuo. It will always be there."

I have to admit, that's the worst part of living. After all the hardships that we've conquered and faced, in the end, it will be nothing. We will all die at the end of our journey.

"Why don't we just try to make the last days of your father memorable instead of keeping him here in the hospital? I'm sure your dad will like it." Sean suggested. His suggestion is somehow a good idea. I don't want Dad to spend his last days locked up in a four-cornered white room. I want him to enjoy himself while he's still living.

Sean's also right that I need to accept the fact that Dad will leave me and this is the time that he will. lisipin ko na lang siguro na magiging masaya naman siya dahil makakasama na niya si Mommy.

Mom lent me Dad for a long time to help me grow. It's time for me to give him back to her.

Dad decided to go home with us instead of staying at the hospital where he's bored to death. Sinunod ko na ang kagustuhan niyang 'yon at pinayagan din siya ni Dr. Smith dahil alam niyang wala siyang magagawa upang mapigilan si Daddy.