A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 34

Clarissa's POV

Misery and Regrets

Halos bumagsak ako sa kawalan ng lakas-ang luha'y tuloy-tuloy sa pag-agos na parang walang katapusan. I hadn't realized that Lyle and Gasper had already approached me. Gasper quickly wrapped his arm around me, stopping me from falling to the floor.

"What's wrong? What the hell happened?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Gasper.

I buried my face in his chest, gripping his clothes tightly as if trying to gather strength from them.

"Gasper, si Daddy ko," halos hindi ko na 'yon masabi nang maayos dahil sa paghagulhol. "I-I need to go to my Daddy, please. I need to go to him!"

"Yes yes, we will leave now," he urgently said. "Lyle, get my car key, please-it was beside the PC. Paki-end din ng live stream ko, salamat."

I was so overwhelmed by panic, melancholy, and anxiety that I lost track of everything around me. Ang nasa isip ko lang ay dapat mapuntahan ko kaagad si Daddy sa hospital. I don't even know how we got there; I just ran straight to Dad's hospital room.

As soon as I opened the door, the first thing I heard was Mommy's sobs. I noticed Kuya Emerson in the corner of the room-crying in silence. On the other hand, the nurse and doctor stood by-their faces etched with concern and sympathy. Huling dumapo ang paningin ko sa katawan ni Daddy na nakalatay sa kama, namumutla at wala nang malay.

Everything in my world seems to shatter in an instant. Agad akong napaluhod sa gilid ng hospital bed, yakap nang mahigpit ang malamig na katawan ni Daddy. I cried out with all my might, as though my tears were trying to vocalize the depths of my anguish.

After a few agonizing moments, I stood up, and made my way to Daddy's doctor. I immediately held his hand with a frantic grip-I pleaded desperately-my tears streaming like a waterfall.

"Please, doc. Please, do something! We can still save my Daddy, please. I-I want my Daddy back! I don't want him gone. I needed my Daddy, please!" I pleaded repeatedly.

Dad's doctor placed a gentle hand on my shoulder-looking at me apologetically. From that somber gaze, I understood-there was no hope left. They couldn't save my Daddy this time.

It was really... over.

Napaluhod ako.

Humagulhol.

Tumatangis sa labis na sa sakit.

"No, please," I shake my head. "I-I want... I want one last moment with my Dad," I whispered.

I could feel Gasper's embrace while I was sitting on the cold floor, weeping in sorrow, pouring my heart out, and grieving for my loss.

Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko alam paano na ako ngayong wala na si Dad. Nagsisi ako. Puno ako ng pagsisisi. His only wish was to see me in his last moments, but I failed to fulfill that hope. I came too late. Pagkarating ko...wala na siya. Hindi na niya ako nahintay.

Nang tumawag si Kuya kanina, he was still conscious that time, battling with the harsh reality of his fate. Despite knowing it was the end, he held on, hoping until the last moment that I would arrive. Naghihintay pa siya noon sa akin. Hinihintay niya pa sana ako.

Alam kong hanggang sa kahuli-hulihan ng aking hininga ay hindi ko makakalimutan ang sinabi ni kuya sa akin. He called me repeatedly at that moment because my daddy had pleaded with him-saying he wanted to see me-at least for...the last time.

"I-I never got the chance to spend more time with him before he was gone," I sobbed-my voice heavy with the weight of missed moments and persistent sorrow.