Love Lingers: Hearts Collide

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

First Signs

Marty just finished packing her suitcase after receiving the call from her mom.

"Bee? Sure ka ba hindi ko kailangang sumama?"

"Oo, 'wag na. May pasok ka, e. Kaya ko naman," she said even though she could feel her insides trembling in fear. One second ago, she was excited and hopeful from the possibility that they could be expecting, but it died down when she took the tests and her excitement quickly went away with it, too. And now, she was sad and anxious for an entirely different reason.

Sabi naman ng mommy niya na hindi na nila kailangang mag-alala. But of course, it was still a mild heart attack and her dad was rushed to the hospital for treatment and observation.

It was a 19-hour flight and Marty only slept for three hours. Putol-putol pa 'yong tulog niya. Her mind kept working overtime even though she distracted herself by listening to music, watching a movie, and reading a book on her iPad. She knew her parents weren't getting any younger, but she never thought and expected those things could happen to them.

In their family, she was the fragile one. Siya 'yong mabilis mapagod, siya 'yong maselan, siya rin 'yong sakitin. She couldn't even believe that she reached twenty-eight.

There was an interview question before, it was a mock job interview for her english subject at school where they were asked where do they see themselves in five to ten years.

Marty's initial thought was, buhay pa ba ako no'n?

Growing up, she thought that maybe she'd be the first one to go in her family. Mas expected niya 'yon.

Marty curled up in her seat, hugging Ambee tighter. Harley also made sure that she took their plush with her because he wouldn't be able to go, and now, couldn't help but wish that her husband could accompany her so she has someone to talk to at the very least.

Nakakasulasok na 'tong mga naiisip ko, she thought, scolding herself and forcing her mind to shut off.

The creasing on her forehead became prominent when a tear fell on the bridge of her nose when she closed her eyes. She's not quite sure whether it was due to an eye strain and her head feeling heavy or the possibility of the inevitable.

Napasinghap si Marty at mas lalo niya ring diniin ang mukha niya kay Ambee. Just imagining a world without her mom and her dad was breaking her heart into pieces. Her family were her favorite bunch of people.

Kahit minsan ang lakas ng topak nila lalo na si Chael Igor. 

Tapos paano kapag wala na si Daddy? Wala na rin 'yong maya't mayang tatawag sa amin ni Ate kasi gusto niya pa raw ng apo tapos magtatampo pa kasi ang layo-layo daw namin?

Marty sniffed and the roll of tear that fell down earlier was followed by another.

Paano rin kapag mommy na ako? Paano kapag nauna rin ako kay Bee, she thought. Her mind kept streaming and she couldn't help but think about her husband and their future children. Kung kakayanin ba ni Harley mag-isa? Paano kung hindi? Paano rin mga anak nila?

She couldn't bear to imagine their kids growing up without her, and she couldn't even begin to imagine that someday, they'd be in her exact position at the moment—scared of the inevitable.

Just the thought of it makes her question the existence of every living being.

Bakit pa mabubuhay kung mamamatay lang din naman? Para saan pa? Napasinghal siya. Perhaps it was her impending migraine, but her mind probably got tired of thinking too much, she was able to doze off.