Regret

Kapitulo cuarenta y uno

Irene's POV

"Tita Irene? Tito Greggy?" Napalingon ako sa kung sino man ang tumawag sa akin, si Mackie pala, at kasama niya si Zia. Agad akong nakaramdam ng ginhawa na makita sila, kahit papaano, may konting liwanag na pumasok sa mabigat na araw na ito.

"Hello, girls," bati ko sa kanila at malumanay na ngumiti, kahit alam kong halata sa mukha ko ang pagod at lungkot. Lumapit sila at humalik sa pisngi ko, parehong tahimik at maingat sa bawat galaw nila.

"Kayo lang ba ang pumunta dito?" tanong ko, curious kung sino pang kasama nila.

"Hindi po, kasama po namin si Mommy," sagot ni Mackie, referring to Manang Imee.

"Where is she?" tanong ko, medyo nabuhayan ng loob.

"May nakita po kasi siyang kakilala niya kaya tumigil muna para makipag-usap," paliwanag ni Mackie, sabay napangiti ako. Walang pinagbago talaga ang Manang ko.

"Number one chismosa talaga si Manang," sabi ko, sabay tawa ng konti kahit mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam.

Zia placed the food they brought on a nearby table. "It's good po na wala na siya sa ICU," sabi niya, her tone gentle but hopeful.

"Captain, gising ka na," Mackie said softly as she walked closer to Ely's bed. Her voice cracked a little, but she smiled, trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oo nga, Erine, wake up na," dagdag pa ni Zia, her voice breaking a little too. "Madami pa tayong kalokohan na gagawin, hindi ba?"

Mackie wiped a tear away, her smile faltering. "Tapos, 'di ba, sabi mo mag-glamping pa tayo?" She let out a shaky breath, and now, her tears were falling freely. "Please wake up, Captain... ang dami pa nating plano, di ba?"

I watched silently from my seat, listening to them talk to Ely like she could hear every word they said. It made my heart ache, but at the same time, I was thankful na nandito sila for her, for us.

Zia's voice softened, full of longing. "Mackie's right, Erine. Tapos magro-road trip pa tayo, with our kuyas. How can we do that if you're here, just sleeping?"

They were trying so hard to stay positive, to keep their spirits up. But the truth was, we were all scared—terrified, really. The uncertainty was killing us slowly. I wanted to say something, to join in their lighthearted banter, but I couldn't. My throat felt tight, and the words just wouldn't come out.

Instead, I sat here, just listening to them, letting their voices fill the room that felt so empty without Ely's laughter.

"Tita Irene, alam niyo po ba?" biglang tanong ni Mackie, catching my attention. Her eyes were red from crying, pero may kakaibang kislap sa kanila.

"Know about what, Mackie?" I asked softly, trying to steady my voice.

She looked down at Ely for a moment before answering. "Lagi po kayong kinukwento ni Cap sa amin, nung nag-stay na siya sa inyo."

Bigla akong natigilan. "Talaga?" I managed to ask. "What did she say about me?" My heart was racing, unsure if I was ready to hear what Ely had been telling her cousins.

"Na sobra po kayong maalaga," Mackie started, her voice shaky but filled with warmth. "At ready na daw po siyang patawarin kayo ng tuluyan."

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. I wasn't expecting that. My breath caught in my throat, and tears started to well up in my eyes again. Ely... my Ely was ready to forgive me? I had been waiting for those words for so long, pero naririnig ko na ngayon sa ibang tao.

"Totoo ba 'yan, Mackie?" My voice came out shaky, unsure if I was dreaming or if this was real.

"Opo, tita," Mackie said, nodding with a small smile despite her tears. "Sobrang proud po siya sa inyo. Lagi po niya sinasabi na worth it pala na iniwan sya ng Tita Patricia nya... at mahal na mahal niya po kayo."