In the Shadow of Diamond (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 37

Kabanata 37

"No!" I begged.

Napatingin ako sa legs ko nang maramdaman ang liquid doon. Namilog ang mga mata ko kasabay ng takot na umakyat sa aking buong sistema nang makita ang dugo.

"No... no, no, no..." I whispered again, panic rising fast in my chest.

My hands shook as I reached down, my fingers trembling, afraid to even touch it. My whole body felt frozen, like I couldn't move, but my mind was screaming. My heart pounded so loudly in my ears it was all I could hear. Tears blurred my vision as I tried to move, to get up, but I was too scared. Too confused. I clutched my belly with both hands, holding it, protecting it like I could stop whatever was happening.

"Please," I whispered, to no one, to everything. "Please don't take my baby. Please be okay. Please..."

I could feel my whole body shaking now, cold sweat dripping down my back. My breaths came faster, shallower. It felt like I was going to break apart. Mabilis akong napamulat, kasabay ng agarang pag-upo ko sa kama.

Mabilis pa rin ang paghinga ko. Nilibot ko ang paningin at nasa loob pa rin ako ng kuwarto. Sinapo ko ang aking noo, hindi pa rin nawawala ang takot sa akin.... parang totoo.

"Satin," dahan dahang napabangon si Cronus. "Are you okay?"

Nilingon ko siya ng tuluyan. Ilang segundo bago ako nakatango at nakasagot.

"Nanaginip lang. But I'm fine," sabi ko.

Nanatili siyang nakaupo, gising na gising na ngayon. Kita ko sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala, ang pagpipigil sa sarili kung lalapit ba o hahayaan muna ako. I felt the bed dip slightly as Cronus moved closer, slowly, warily.

"Do you want to talk about it?" mahinang tanong niya.

Ang sabi nila, kabaliktaran daw ang nangyayari sa panaginip. Kaya baka nga. Baka nga wala akong dapat ikatakot.

"Okay lang ako," umiling akong muli. "It's just a dream."

I glanced down at my hands, still pressed tightly against my belly. I felt the weight of his gaze, but I couldn't quite bring myself to meet his eyes just yet.

Tumunog ang phone niya. Kinuha niya iyon habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin. Nang mabasa ang nasa phone, tumayo siya at sinagot ang tawag.

"Raju?" he greeted. "What? Right now?"

Cronus' voice was tight, his hand gripping the phone as if it might slip from his fingers.

"Satin's pregnant. I can't leave my wife," napapaos na sabi niya.

Napatayo ako roon. Mukhang importante iyon at talagang ako pa ang dinahilan niya ah?

"Cronus," I called. "Mukhang importante 'yan. Sige na, nandito naman si Mama. Hindi naman kami aalis dito, wala kaming ibang mapupuntahan."

Cronus' eyes flickered to me, his expression full of hesitation, but I could see the guilt etched on his face. He lowered the phone from his ear.

"No, Satin," his voice strained. "It's not just something important—"

Umiling ako. "I'm fine. Raju wouldn't call you like that unless it's urgent. I swear, I'll be fine."

Cronus let out a frustrated sigh, running his hand through his hair, torn between staying and answering the call. I could see the conflict in his eyes.

"Look, I'll be back as soon as I can," he said softly, setting the phone down and walking over to me. His hand rested on my shoulder, grounding me.