Hello There, Stranger

Part 25

The journey to Erika's recovery was agonizingly slow. The car accident had inflicted serious injuries on her body. However, her motivation was unwavering as she aimed to become stronger for her family. This determination intensified when she visited the Neonatal care unit for the first time and witnessed her newborn son in a tiny glass box, surrounded by monitoring machines. She longed to touch him, to feel his small hands on her fingertips. Their little warrior was fighting his own battle, and Erika was determined to do the same.

"Mama is here for you, anak" she whispered, "we can do this together."

Francis stood by her side, providing unwavering support. He was always there, offering words of encouragement and helping her push forward. The pain from her therapy was intense, but she faced it without complaint. With determination, she diligently followed her scheduled routines and independently tracked her progress.

A few weeks passed, and Erika was walking without her crutches, trying to steady her steps inside the hospital room. She aimed to retrain her muscles to support her weight and adapt quickly. Grimacing at the annoying pain in her legs, she pushed through. Attempting another step, she almost lost her balance but managed to regain it before her face met the solid floor. In that moment, her father walked in, May bitbit itong mga prutas at mataimtim na nakatingin sa mga butil ng pawis sa kanyang noo.

"Papa..." pagbati niya rito.

"Kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo?" Tanong nito sa kanya, while he carefully set the fruits aside her besides table.

"Eto, trying to get better po. Medyo mahirap pa rin maglakad ng matulin." Sagot niya dito. She decided to sit at the edge of the bed while wiping her sweat away.

"Salamat po sa mga prutas na dala ninyo" she acknowledged.

Tumango si Alan at muling nakatitig kay Erika. "Huwag mo masyadong pilitin ang sarili mo kung hindi pa talaga kaya, makinig ka sinasabi ng katawan mo baka mas lalong hindi mapabilis ang iyong paggaling." paalaala nito.

"Opo..." Erika paused and looked at her father. "Pa, I haven't apologized for what happened last time. It was a mess. Hindi po ba kayo nagalit kay Francis at sa akin?" She asked, addressing the elephant in the room, her eyes dropping, afraid of what she might learn.

Napabuntong-hininga ang kanyang ama.

"Magsisinungaling ako kung sasabihin kong hindi? Pero kahit hindi namin alam ng mama mo ang kabuuang istorya sa naganap na insidente sa araw ng kasal mo ay hindi namin maikukubli ang nakikita naming sakripisyo at pag-aalaga na inilalaan ni Francis para sa iyo, halos hindi nga yon natutulog habang inooperahan ka hanggang sa wakas ay gumising ka na sa iyong coma. Walang lalaki ang magpapakita ng ganoong pag-aalaga dahil lamang sa pera o kung ano man ang mamanahin nila. Kaya kami ng mama mo, nandito kami at nakaalalay sa desisyon ninyong dalawa ni Francis, lalo pat may anak na kayo. Protektahan mo ang pamilya mo Erika at magtulungan kayo ni Francis para mas lalo pang tumibay ang inyong samahan" pagsasalaysay nito.

Erika's heart warmed from her father's words, and she immediately embraced him. "Salamat po papa sa inyong pag-unawa. Napaka swerte ko po at naging magulang ko kayo ni mama." She uttered sincerely.

Alan smiled. "Nakita mo ba na kamukha ko ang aking apo? Hindi talaga papatalo ang dugong Cuizon!" sambit nito habang malakas na tumatawa. Erika laughed too, thankful that her parents had always been her source of strength.

One night, the distant ticking of a clock caught Erika's attention. Her eyes swiftly scanned the surroundings, revealing a faint light at the far end of the hallway. The feeling was eerie as if she was in a horror movie. The surroundings were devoid of colors, and all she could see was the wide array of blackness around her.