Forbidden Escape

Synopsis

I sighed while looking down at the buildings and structures. As the crew announces the touchdown, I prepared myself to get off the plane after a long flight.

My body’s totally wrecked.

After getting off, I immediately got a call from Kieth. I took my sunglasses off before answering her call.

“Have you arrived already?” She asked, I smiled and nodded though she couldn't see me, siguro ay mannerism ko na talaga iyon. “Yeah, kababa pa lang sa plane. Where are you?” Tugon ko sa kaniya, I could hear some voices behind her fade away.

“Nasa shoot, diretso ka ba sa unit mo? Yna’s waiting for you sa bahay” Bumuntong hininga ako, “Sana,” Maikli kong tugon, “Diretso na lang ako sa bahay, be careful sa shoot mo” I said before ending the call

Pagkalabas ko ng airport, nakita ko kaagad iyong van nina mom, it stopped right where I was standing before putting my things inside.

Pagkaupo ko sa kotse ay nakatulog na kaagad ako sa biyahe. If there's anything I want today, it’s rest.

Nakalimutan ko na yata kung gaano kainit sa Pilipinas. After taking a short nap, I stared outside the window, looking at the buildings and houses we’re passing by brought back my memories of the country.

I came back so that I could work for my parents’ company here in The Philippines and I’ve already thought about it countless times. I was away for a very long time without even coming back, siguro it’s just better if I would really come back dahil kung bumalik man ako sa bansa ay bilang lang sa mga daliri.

“Good morning, ma’am” The maids welcomed me, ngumiti lang ako sa kanila saka tumango bago pumasok sa bahay. They really renovated the house, I could barely see some features from when I was here before.

The newly renovated house was my design, binago ko iyong design ng bahay noong nasa abroad ako. Akala ko pa nga ay hindi papayag sina mama but I guess they did.

“Is Yna around?” I asked the maid beside me, tumango naman siya bilang tugon.

“Yes, ma’am, nasa kwarto niya po” Right after telling me, she escorted me to Yna’s room.

I held the door knob but it was locked, kumunot ang noo ko, “Why is it locked?” Napaisip ako sa sarili kong tanong, Yna’s already 6 years old, she must've locked the door on her own pero bakit?

The maids held out the key to her room to me, bumuntong hininga muna ako bago buksan ‘yong pinto, pinihit ko ang doorknob pagkatapos kong kumatok.

I peeked my head inside to check at nakitang nasa kama siya. Is she sleeping? She was covered with her comforter at nakatalikod sa pinto.

“Yna?” Marahan kong tawag, naglakad ako papalapit sa kaniya bago umupo sa gilid ng kama.

Nang lumapit na ako sa kaniya ay kumunot ‘yong noo ko, she was slighting shaking. I widened my eyes when I caressed her cheeks, she was burning!

I quickly checked her whole body at napagtantong mainit ang buong katawan niya, iyong paa at mga kamay niya lang ang malamig. Lumabas ako ng kwarto at nagpatulong para ibaba si Yna, she was still sleeping habang natataranta kami sa kalagayan niya.

“Miss! Please, she’s burning up, hindi bumababa ‘yong temperature niya, we tried to lower it down but it wouldn't..help us..please” I tried to stay calm pero alam kong halata sa boses ko ang pag-aalala kay Yna. The nurse tried to calm me down and I helped hanggang sa ipasok na nila ang bata sa kwarto.

I was advised to stay outside dahil may doktor na raw sa loob, I hoped that they would take care of her. I clasped my hands together while sitting on one of the chairs beside the door where they put Natasha in.

Kaagad akong napatayo nang marinig kong bumukas iyong pinto.

“How’s my baby…” My voice faded out when my mind registered whose face I was looking at. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa harap niya habang hawak ang teddy bear ni Yna.

Hindi ako makagalaw, nakatingin pa rin ako sa mga mata niya. The sight of him in a white coat made me shiver. Napalunok ako nang wala sa oras bago umiwas ng tingin.

“Is she okay?” Patuloy ko sa pagtatanong, nakatingin na sa loob ng kwarto. My eyes were already watery. Sana ay okay na si Yna ngayon.

“Right now? No” Para akong nanghina at nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa sinabi niya, my breathing became heavier.

“She’s showing signs of dengue, which means that her blood pressure may drop to dangerous levels, she might also experience persistent vomiting” Sunod-sunod niyang saad habang nakapasok sa dalawang bulsa ng suot niyang coat ang mga kamay niya.

“It’s a relief that you rushed her to the hospital before further and heavy symptoms” Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa teddy bear na nasa kamay ko. So, if I haven't arrived yet, mas lumala pa iyong symptoms ni Yna?

Tumango-tango ako sa sinabi niya. Napatingin na naman ako sa gawi ni Yna, sinundan niya ang tinitingnan ko at tumalikod mula sa’kin para mas makita ‘yong bata.

He grew taller.

Long hair suits him too, may mga maliliit na hibla ng buhok pang tumatama sa mga kilay niya.

Bumuntong hininga ako at iniwas ang tingin sa kaniyang likuran saka ko ibinalik ak tingin ko kay Yna who was sleeping so deeply inside the room.

I wonder if he still remembers what happened..

9 years ago.