HIDING HIS DAUGHTER (UNDER EDITING)

CHAPTER 23

ANGELA'S POV

Nakatingin ako sa maamong mukha ng anak ko, hawak-hawak ko yung maliit niyang kamay na nakapatong sa puting sheet ng hospital bed. Ngayon pa lang ako talaga nakaramdam ng ganitong bigat sa dibdib - tatlong araw na kaming nandito, at totoo lang, hindi ako natulog kahit isang oras simula nung dalhin namin si Althea dito. Ramdam ko pa rin yung init ng kamay niya kahit na hindi pa siya nagigising.

"Nak, gising na," bulong ko, medyo nanginig yung boses ko. Alam kong hindi niya ako maririnig nang ganito pa siya, pero ang kausapin siya yun lang yung paraan para hindi ako mawala sa sarili ko ngayon.

"When will the results be out?" Kuya Alvin asked, leaning against the wall across from us. I noticed Catherine has been glancing at him every few minutes - parang may gustong sabihin pero hindi alam paano sabihin or baka nahihiya lang siya. Either way, everyone here is just as worried as I am.

"Mamaya daw," Kuya Adrian answered, not taking his eyes off Althea either. He's been the calm one among all of us, but I can see the tension in his shoulders din. We're all just trying not to fall apart in front of each other.

May umupo sa tabi ko, napatingin ako at si Jaiden pala. Inabot niya sakin yung paper bag na may pagkain - amoy ko pa lang yung adobo at kanin, pero talagang wala akong ganang kumain.

"Ayoko," I said flatly, turning my gaze back to Althea. Hindi ko kayang kainin yan ng maayos kung ganito ang lagay ng anak ko - every bite would feel like I'm betraying her somehow, like I'm moving on while she's still fighting here.

"You can't not eat, love," Jaiden said gently, but I could hear the firmness in his voice. He knows me too well - knows that once I get stuck in this headspace, it's hard to pull me out.

"Eat when Althea wakes up. She won't allow you not to eat," dagdag ni Kuya Adrian, naririnig mo naman yung ngiti sa boses niya kahit sinusubukan niyang magmukhang seryoso. Tama naman siya - si Althea palaging siguradong natatapos ako sa pagkain ko, kahit na siya pa yung may sakit.

"That's right, dear. Eat now and rest later - tatlong araw ka na ng walang tulog," Mommy said, coming over to pat my shoulder. Her eyes were red too, and I know she's been praying nonstop for her apo.

"You better eat. If Althea wakes up and sees you like this, what will she say?" Sabi ni Daddy, dun ko na alam na wala na akong choice. Lahat sila nag-aalala para sa akin din naman, hindi ako pwede maging selfish para dagdagan pa yung pag-aalala nila.

Kaya kinuha ko yung pagkain kay Jaiden at sinimulang kainin, pero bawat lunok parang bato yung kinakain ko. Lalo pang nahirapan ako kasi nakikita ko si Althea na nakahiga dun, tahimik at hindi gumagalaw nang hindi naman siya ganito. Karaniwan kasi siya yung pinakaingay sa kwarto - umaawit, tumatawa, nagtatanong ng kung anu-ano.

"Tsk," Jaiden clicked his tongue and took the plate from me. I watched as he cut the chicken into smaller pieces, scooped some rice with it, then held the spoon up to my mouth. I just stared at him, not moving.

"Nganga o hahalikan kita," he said, wiggling the spoon a little. I didn't budge - sinabi ko na hindi ako makakain ng maayos, so why is he being so persistent?

"What the f*ck!" Kuya Anthony blurted out, making everyone turn to look at us.

"Kuya, bibig mo," Catherine said quickly, covering her mouth like she couldn't believe he just swore in front of all of us.

"Damn, dito pa talaga?" Kuya Alvin muttered, shaking his head but grinning a little din.

"Tang*na, umayos ka Jaiden!" Kuya Adrian scolded, but even he was fighting back a smile.