Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)

Chapter 39

"How's Grapes?" Kuya asks from the other end of the line.

We're here at the hospital with Ate Grapes. She's still asleep while I sit by her side, watching over her. We came straight here after escaping the forest.

I want to lose my mind after everything that happened last night. But I can't—I have to stay strong for Ate.

"I'll head back there. I'll take care of Mom and Dad's bodies," Kuya says, then hangs up.

I look up at the ceiling of the hospital room, trying to keep it together. I close my eyes—and the tears I’ve been holding back finally begin to fall.

How did it come to this? It feels like just yesterday everything was fine. Why did it all fall apart so quickly?

"Aphle." I open my eyes at the sound of Ate Grapes’ weak voice.

I quickly wipe my tears and rush to her bedside. "Are you okay, Ate? Should I call the doctor? Does something hurt?"

She doesn't answer. Instead, she gently takes my hands in hers. The warmth of her touch feels like permission—permission to cry.

"'Wag mo nang pigilan." Napababa ako ng tingin. "Pareho lang tayo nang nararamdaman ngayon... wala namang masamang umiyak, kasi masakit 'yon."

Ate is right. We both lost the people we loved. The ones we dreamed of building a future with. We lost our parents. And now, there's a family out there that hates us—furious, unforgiving. It feels like they never will forgive us.

I feel Ate's warm embrace, and in that moment, I know—it's okay to cry.

I've always been weak, always the first to break down. So it's no surprise when the tears come pouring out.

She gently pats my back, and my quiet sobs turn into loud, aching cries—the only sound echoing through the four corners of the room.

I cry and cry until my body feels empty. Exhausted. My eyelids start to grow heavy.

The truth is, I haven’t slept. Not since I started watching over Ate. I’m scared. Scared she might leave me too.

***

I wake up to the sound of voices—low, tense. I hear Ate Grapes crying.

Slowly, I open my eyes. I glance around the hospital room and spot Ate Grapes and Kuya Mark on the sofa.

Kuya Mark is trying to calm her down. He notices me sit up, but doesn't acknowledge me.

I stay on the hospital bed, watching them quietly. After a few minutes, I manage to speak.

"Ate Grapes…"

She stops crying and turns to me. Without saying a word, she stands and walks over. She sits beside me and wraps her arms around me in a silent hug.

Ate Grapes is the kind of person who never cries easily. Not when people hurt her with words, not even when they do it with actions. But now, she's breaking. This is the first time I've seen her like this.

I glance at the wall clock. It's already afternoon.

I haven't eaten. But I don't feel hungry at all.

"Anong meron, Ate?" Nanghihina kong tanong.

Humiwalay siya mula sa yakap niya sa akin at pinunasan ang kaniyang luha. "Nahanap na ang bangkay ni Mom at Dad," mahina niyang sagot.

Parang mayroon pa siyang sasabihin pero hindi niya alam kung paano. Tumingin siya kay Kuya Mark na parang nanghihingi ng tulong. Tumango lang sa kaniya ang Kuya namin.