Navigating Hearts ( Aviation College Series #1)

Chapter 37

Disclaimer: Law-related matter presents in this chapter is purely fictional.

My agonizing body forced me to file a leave. I feel so worn out that my body itself has given up. Mabuti na lang at inaprobahan kaagad ni Lieutenant Colonel Ramirez ang aking 2 weeks leave, gustuhin ko man na isang buwan sana pero ayoko ko naman na basta iwan na lang ang trabaho roon sa site.

Kaye got another trauma after the incident three days ago. Sariwa pa sa isip niya ang nangyari kaya lagi siyang tulala. I tried convincing her to undergo therapy but she didn’t want to. She kept on saying she’s fine but I know she isn’t.

“Kaye?” I knocked on her door twice before I decided to push it open.

“Kaye? Hey!” I called her one more time but she seemed preoccupied again. Nakaupo lang siya sa dulo ng kaniyang kama at deritso ang tingin sa pader ng kaniyang kwarto.

“Kaye?” I tapped her shoulder and she flinched.

“Ate?” she looked at me, terrified.

“It’s okay, ako ‘to.” Umupo ako sa tabi niya at hinawakan siya sa kamay.

“Ayaw mo ba talaga? I know a great therapist, she can help you.”

Mabilis siyang umiling.

“I don’t want everyone to think that I’m mentally ill.”

“You’re not. Hindi naman porke nag-undergo ng therapy ay may sakit na agad sa utak.” I explained. “I just want you to live your normal life, okay?”

“I’m fine, Ate.” She answered instead. Binawi niya ang kaniyang kamay sa’kin at nahiga sa kaniyang kama.

Ayoko naman siyang pilitin pa sa bagay na ayaw niya.

“Jandrie called.”  Sabi ko. “Kung gusto mo raw lumabas kasama siya ay tawagan mo lang siya.”

“Is it okay for me to go outside?” she asked in a low voice. Napabaling ako sa kaniya. Her eyes were closed.

“Don’t be afraid, Kaye. Those assholes are in jail now. I won’t let anything happen to you again, okay?”

I saw how her lips curved to form a smile.

“Call Jandrie. Kahapon pa ‘yon nag-rereklamo na hindi ka niya ma-contact.”

I kissed her forehead before leaving her room.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramirez deployed five Air Force Officers to watch over Kaye habang hindi pa tapos ang project sa Tarlac. I also asked Cedrick to install a tracker on her phone. The Bueno Malo twins gave her a stunt pen and I was thinking of enrolling her in martial arts training, ‘di pa naman ako siguro at isa pa, depende parin naman sa kaniya iyon.

I was preparing our lunch when my phone rang. It was Miriana Lian.

“Hello?”

[“Oh, god! I heard about what happened, how are you?”]

“I’m fine, Mila. Just a little body ache. I’m on leave naman.”

[“Pasensya na at ngayon lang ako nakatawag. Sa T.V ko lang din nakita. Hindi man lang sinabi ni Albert sa’kin, ang kupal na ’yun talaga.”]

Napailing ako sa bunganga niya.

[“How about Kaye? Buti at hindi naman siya sinaktan?”]

I put the call on a loudspeaker so I can continue what I was doing.

“She’s resting. Madalas siyang tulala kaya nag-aalala ako. Ayaw niya namang magpatingin kaya binabantayan ko na lang.”

I heard her deep sigh across the line.