WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)

40: Oleander

˖ ๋࣪⸙˖

After our class, Ringo and I went to the hospital to visit his mother and Andres. Habang naglalakad papasok ay nakasalubong namin si Nickey at ang archer at business student na si Arrow.

Hinatid ni Nickey palabas ng ospital si Arrow. When he walked pass us, he forced a smile to us. I could see the guilt and sadness in his eyes. When he left, Nickey and I got the chance to talk.

"What did he do here?" I asked.

"As usual, he paid a visit to Andres. Pumunta rin siya para makausap si Emilio at Tita Alice upang humingi ng tawad," paliwanag ni Nickey.

I sighed while shaking my head. "This is so hard for your family especially for Tita Alice."

"Actually," Ringo began. "Both sides are suffering now. Narinig ko rin kasi na kasama ang dad ni Arrow sa aksidente, and he was dead on the spot."

I jerked my head to him. "Arrow's dad died that night?"

"Yes," he answered. "It must be really hard for him."

The way Ringo spoke, I could see a deep sense of sorrow. Marahil ay naaalala niya ang Mama niya, iniisip kung gaano kasakit ang mawalan ng minamahal. I didn't know the feeling either, and I knew I couldn't take away his burden completely, but I hoped that my presence could make a difference. 

After talking with Nickey, we went to see Andres and followed by a visit to Ringo's Mama. As usual, his mother was lying on the bed. May malay siya ngunit hirap na siyang tumayo. The cancer was taking her strength slowly.

Nakabibilib nga dahil nagagawa niya pang ngumiti at makipag-usap sa'min kahit mahina na siya. Perhaps Ringo got his optimistic side from his Mama. Lalo akong nagkaroon ng maraming dahilan para hindi bitawan ang kamay ni Ringo. Sometimes, being there for someone could make a difference.

"How's Tito Rome?" he asked.

"Ayos naman siya. Kasama niya ngayon si Dad," sagot ko habang naglalakad kami palabas ng ospital.

Sa bahay namin muna nanatili si Tito Rome para hindi makahalata si Maynard sa mga plano namin. I still didn't know his exact relationship with my dad, but it's the least of my concern because I had to focus my mind for Ringo.

"Nakausap mo na ba ang kuya mo?" tanong ko.

"Hindi pa," sagot ni Ringo. "I'm just waiting for him to talk to me again about it. Baka kasi kapag ako ang unang nakipag-usap ay baka maghinala siya."

I nodded in agreement. "Okay, but  be careful with your words, I don't want to lose this chance of sending him to jail." There was a weight in my voice as I spoke.

Ringo offered me a gentle stare. "Winston, thank you for doing this, but I'm just me, so don't pressure yourself from helping me."

"What?" I knitted my eyes over him. "Don't think less about yourself just because you suffered a lot in life. Huwag mong isipin na hindi mo deserve lahat ng pinapakita kong concern sa'yo, because of all people, you're the first one who listened to my stories and believed in me."

A smile lit up from his face. "I will find a way to repay you, Winston."

I grabbed both of his shoulders and directed my eyes at him. "The only thing I want you to do is to allow me doing my job in protecting you."