Eliana Rosé

Letting it grow

Chapter 6: Letting it grow

His side

I woke up with a feeling of pain all over me. I groaned as pain kicked in as I tried to sit on my buttocks.

Nasaan ako? I asked myself silently.

The room was painted while. There is also a small living room, a small dining table, and a big window on my left with white curtains on it.

I only realized that I was in a hospital room when I saw the dextrose pinned to my left palm.

Oh, right. Fuck! I got into an accident last night.

"Buti naman buhay ka pa?"

I heard somebody speak not far from me. I looked, and there I saw my little sister, sitting comfortably on the sofa with her arms crossed on her chest. She's smiling wickedly in my direction. "Is that how you treat your brother, who almost died?" I retorted with a hint of disappointment and playfulness in my voice. The little devil only snickered.

"I don't think so. Di madaling mamatay ang masamang damo, right?" She mockingly said. "Ouch." I acted hurt, trying to be coy with my sister. But she just rolled her eyes. 

I doted on her too much; thus, she has grown a little spoiled and cocky like me. "Nagmana ka talaga kay Kuya," I trailed off amusingly. She rolled her eyes heavenward in disbelief. "Ugh! Don't compare me to you!" She whined. "You're ugly. I'm not."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I jeered while playfully making faces. She threw a pillow at me and hit my head. "Ouch. Can't you see that I'm hurt?"

"Kasalanan mo yan!" I laughed while rubbing my head, faking pain. I want to tease her. Anica looked worried for a second. "Take responsibility. Come here, Anika. Hug your kuya," I teased.

"Ew, and how many times do I have to tell you not to call me Anika?" she hissed while her arms crossed. "Call me Inah!" 

But I taunted her more by sticking out a tongue."Not a chance; where can you find Inah from Gabrielle Anika?" She rolled her eyes. I chuckled. "This brat is growing too fast. Inaaway na ang kuya." True, she's growing too fast. She's becoming more ladylike in figure, but she acts like a child sometimes.

"You're okay, na nga Kuya Nico! Iniinis mo na kasi ako," she retorted. I just wiggled my brows in her direction. "It's a good thing, though; you've been out for days."

My eyes narrowed at her revelation. "Days?"  

Anica nodded. "Yes. Two days to be exact," she revealed. Did I sleep that long? I thought it was last night.

How about that woman? Is she okay? I thought silently when she crossed my mind. She looked fine to me before, but I can't be sure. I was unsteady that night.

"How about that woman?" I asked my sister as my curiosity got the best of me. 

"Who?" She raised her brow, looking confused for a second, then mouthed 'oh' when she realized what I meant. "You mean the woman you saved?" she inquired. I nodded. "Is she fine?"

"I heard she's fine. She only got minor wounds. Unlike you, you got your head hurt so badly when you fell on the road avoiding the rushing car."

My brows furrowed. "Didn't I get hit by the car?"  She looked at me and then shook her head. "No, you hurt yourself while doing a heroic stunt."

"Oh?"

I thought that we got hit, but it's a relief that we didn't. It's also a relief that she's fine. No matter how much I am bothered by her. I tried to open my mouth to ask for her. But I decided not to. I don't see the need to ask for her whereabouts. Knowing that she's fine is enough. I shouldn't associate myself with her more.

"Mom, Kuya's awake." Anica said with glee, snapping me out of reverie.

My parents, Nicolas and Anica, visited me as soon as they heard the news that I was awake. My mom told me that she was worried sick, and my dad, as expected, scolded me for jumping into danger. He also voiced his frustration with my absences. Mom defended me from him, saying that my life was more important than business. I was inwardly grateful to Mom for defending me.

The family doctor, who also happens to be my dad's college friend, said, that I am perfectly fine and only need rest. "Results came clear. So, he's okay. Napasobra lang ang pahinga si Nico. And, he may be discharged after a day of rest and observation."

"Thank you, Marco." Dad said while tapping the doctor's shoulder. "Thank heavens, my Nico is alright," Mom exclaimed. Relief is plastered all over her face. 

"My pleasure."

"Careful ka na next time, Nico." the doctor said. "I will. Thank you, Tito Marco."

"Pasikat kasi tong si Nico at nag feeling bayani. He's nothing but a headache." Dad commented sarcastically. Everyone did not comment on it and remained quiet. Everyone knows how much my father detests me. For him, I'm nothing but a big failure.

"Speaking of which, is that girl here?" Mom asked. "She left after Nico was okay. She's also fine." Dr. Marco informed.

"Did we pay her?" Dad asked out of nowhere. I clenched my jaw. 

Mom forbids him. "Nicolas."

"What? It needs to be baka mag salita pa ng di maganda iyon sa media. Malaki o maliit man yun. You know that I'm running for re-election."

I balled my fist. My old man is a jerk. He thinks that everything can be paid for with money. He did the same for what happened to Eliana. He will do everything not to tarnish his supposed 'good' name. 

"Make sure you pay her silence."

I loathe this man.

I left the hospital the next day. My secretary brought my Audi, as I insisted not to be chauffeured. Besides, I wish to go to the cemetery; it has been days since I've visited. I needed to recharge from all the ruckus I had these past few days. 

The accident, my father, and that woman. Especially that woman who caused my accident. The woman who has the same name as my late girlfriend.

But I think fate has some other plans. I was about to cross the intersection when my eye caught a familiar figure on the sidewalk.

It's her. 

"Fuck."

Why does she always appear when I don't want to see her? She's walking senseless once again on the side walk. 

I slowed down to see her walking in the opposite direction. My eyes narrowed into slits when I realized that she was walking senselessly again on the road, just like on the night of the accident. "Bakit ba palaging tulala ang babaeng 'to?"

I pulled up my car, and I waited for her on the sidewalk. But she didn't notice me and almost walked past me. I grabbed her arm to stop her, and she squealed. "Oh, Dios ko!"

"What do you think you are doing?!" I scowled. She looked shocked to see me. "G-Gabriel?" 

To be continued...