Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Chains

I was half-running as I looked for my father. I didn't know what exactly happened to him; my mom couldn't talk properly because her emotions poured in. At matinding takot ang nararamdaman ko ngayon dahil ang alam ko ay nasa malubhang kalagayan si Daddy.

Muli kong binasa ang huling text message ni Mama nang nasa tapat na ako ng private room. Tama naman ang pinuntahan ko kaya pumasok 'agad ako. My mother was nowhere to be seen and the patient on the bed was wrapped up in a white blanket.

Shocked and confused, my mouth dropped open. I was afraid to approach the bed. I was so stunned that I couldn't move. No, I didn't want to. My mom would've said it if...

Ang hindi ko lang napigilan ay ang pamumuo ng luha sa mga mata ko gawa ng ideyang pumasok sa isip ko. Suminghap ako at dahan-dahang humakbang; biglang huminto para huminga ng malalim.

I almost believed it but I was so glad that I held back a little; because the nurse suddenly stepped in and at her back were four unfamiliar people—wailing and looking at me cluelessly.

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa napagtanto. Yumuko ako at nagmadaling umalis doon kahit na gusto kong iparating ang pakikiramay. It was embarrassing to display such ignorance! I wasn't even sure what to feel right now. All I wanted was to find my father and my mom... who gave me the wrong information.

I called Mama while I was roaming around. Thankfully, I found them at last. Nakasimangot akong pumasok sa room ni Daddy, but I understand why my mom made that mistake. Nang napatingin ako kay Daddy na may cast ang kanang braso at kaliwang binti ay nagsimula akong maging emotional.

I carefully hugged him as I sobbed. "What happened, Dad? Though I hate to see you like this; I'm grateful that you're alive!"

Daddy groaned, so I loosened my grip on his neck. I scanned his whole body and aside from his injuries, I noticed the scratches and bruises on his arms and face. Mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin at bumaling na lang kay Mama na tulala sa tabi ko.

"Stop crying. I'm fine, anak..." mahinang saad ni Daddy kahit malinaw naman na malayong-malayo ang itsura niya sa pagiging "okay".

"Oh please, Dad. I know you're not." Umirap ako kasabay ng pagtulo ng luha. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin kay Mama. "Ano po ang nangyari, 'Ma? I was so scared! I thought he was—" Pumikit ako ng mariin at hindi na itinuloy ang sasabihin.

Huminga ng malalim si Mama at lumingon na sa akin. "He was on air when the engine malfunctioned. The aircraft couldn't maintain its stability and it would surely crash... Your Dad did his best to land it safely, but it happened so fast that he couldn't control it anymore. Mabuti na lang at mababa na ang lipad niya bago tuluyang bumulusok 'yung aircraft sa rice field."

She breathed shakily while tears were streaming down her face. Niyakap ko siya habang nakahawak ako sa kamay ni Daddy na ngayo'y tahimik at nasa malayo ang tingin. Pinilit kong maging matatag kahit na naninikip ang dibdib ko at tila mauubusan ng lakas dahil sa nangyari.

"Takot na takot ako! I saw him straight out of the ambulance and I thought I would lose him! I'd die, too! Hindi ko kakayanin! I could never imagine it! I was so damn scared!"

Daddy wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't get up. I could see his sadness and frustration as he tried to reach her. Kaya naman inabot ko na lang sa kanya 'yung kamay ni Mama at hinayaan namin itong umiyak nang umiyak.

Sa sumunod na mga oras ay hindi nawalan ng bisita si Daddy. Muntik pang ma-confine si Lola Anastasia dahil sa matinding pag-aalala sa anak. Nakarating din ang balita sa mga malalapit na kaibigan ng pamilya namin kaya hindi sila nag-atubiling pumunta rito. My brother found out what happened and wanted to come here, but Daddy refused to let Adam see him in this state. Pinagamit ko na lang ang phone ko para makapag-usap silang dalawa.