T O R N

51

In Prague...

I answered immediately.

"Ma, hello? Sorry po hindi ko agad nasagot yung call kanina."

"Jen..." Mom's voice cracked, and it instantly made my heart drop. "Anak, si Papa mo..."

Pagkatapos kong makausap si Mama sa telepono, nawala ang saya ko. Napalitan ito ng kaba at lungkot sa balitang sinabi niya. Si Papa ay nasa ospital dahil inatake raw ito sa puso. Wala kaming kaalam-alam sa kondisyong ito ni Papa dahil hindi naman siya madalas magsabi sa amin ng mga nararamdaman niyang pisikal.

I felt a wave of guilt. Ilang taon na rin akong nasa Prague, at bihira akong umuwi kahit na ilang pasko at bagong taon na akong pinapauwi ng mga magulang ko para doon magcelebrate ay hindi ko ginagawa. Palagi akong may dahilan para makaiwas sa pag-uwi. I chose to stay here for my career, thinking it was the best for me. Pero ngayong alam kong nangangailangan ng suporta si Papa, hindi ko magagawang ipagpatuloy ang normal kong buhay dito. Hindi ko napansin na tumutulo na pala ang mga luha ko. So, I dialed Kai's number coz I need someone to talk to.

"Jen, what's wrong?"

Between sobs, I told him about Papa's condition. He too was shocked but still manage to comfort me,

"I'm here for you, okay? We'll get through this together."

"I need to go back to the Philippines," I said, my voice breaking.

"Of course. I'll help you arrange everything. Don't worry about work; I'll talk to our boss."

I thanked him, grateful for his unwavering support.

"Thank you, Kai."

In Philippines...

The bustling sound of hospital monitors filled the room. Jennie's dad lay in the hospital bed, his once strong and steady figure now frail. Her mom sat beside him, holding his hand tightly, trying her best to stay strong.

"Tita, Jen told us what happened and she asked us if we can check up on you kaya po kami nandito" sabi ni Chaeng pagtapos nilang magmano ni Jisoo sa nanay ni Jen.

"Bigla na lang siyang nahilo kanina sa bahay at nawalan ng malay. Ang sabi ng doktor kailangan pa niyang dumaan sa mga tests para malaman kung ano ba talagang naging problema" nag-aalalang sagot ng ginang.

"Don't worry tita, andito lang kami pag may kailangan po kayo" sabi ni Jisoo habang pinapakalma ang ina ni Jennie.

"Maraming salamat sa inyong dalawa" sagot naman ng ginang.

Back in Prague...

I stared at my phone in shock after the call ended. My heart pounded in my chest, and tears blurred my vision.

"Dad..." I whispered to myself. The thought of him being weak, and vulnerable tore through me. He had always been the pillar of strength in our family—the man who laughed the loudest, loved the deepest, and supported me through everything. I cried the whole night thinking about my dad's condition.

Early in the morning , Kai arrived at my apartment. He pulled me into a tight hug the moment I opened the door.

"You don't have to explain anything," he said softly.

"I've got your ticket and I'll drive you to the airport tomorrow. Gusto ko lang makasigurado na safe ka. Tapos susunod ako roon. Aayusin ko lang yung ibang mga projects natin rito. For the meantime, si Architect Novak muna ang bahala sa mga projects mo habang nakaleave ka."

"Thank you, Kai," I whispered, leaning against his chest.

As I packed my bags that night, I couldn't help but think about how life could change so quickly. Just days ago, I was just talking to Papa asking him what gift does he want for his birthday. Now, he's in the hospital lying weak and unconscious.