Tears Of An Angel

Chapter 19

Chapter 19: The reason of my existence

I didn't go to Jerome's brother for my check up because I got scared. Jerome even went to our house to convince me but I refused. He understood but didn't feel good about my decision not to have a check up.

"Anak, ayos ka lang ba?" mama asked. 

"Yes po. I'm fine, ma."

Umupo siya sa tabi ko. "Pansin ko kasi nanahimik ang unica hija ko," sabi niya na hinahaplos-haplos ang buhok ko.

I sighed and leaned my head on her shoulder. "Ma, what if I... I'm s-sick?"

Natigilan siya sa paghaplos sa buhok ko at niyuko ako. Puno ng pag-aalala ang mukha niya. "Are you?"

I wanted to tell her my worried but upon seeing how worried she was, I didn't have the heart to do so. So I shook my head with a smile. "What if lang po."

"Don't even think about it, Chela. You're fine. You're healthy, anak."

Am I? Pero hindi ko na isinantinig iyon at tumango na lang. Sa bahay na muna ako umuuwi dahil gusto ko ay malapit lang ako sa mama at papa ko. I felt comforted having them by my side. I felt safe. 

I tried calling Vince to share my worries with him but he wasn't answering my calls. An hour later, I received a message from him saying he was sorry that he wasn't able to answer my calls because he was busy.

I just sighed and tried to shake off my worries. Papanhik na ako sa kwarto ko ng makita ko ang isang katulong na may dalang panlinis. 

"Mam Chela, lilinisin ko po iyong kwarto niyo."

"Sige po," I responded politely. I was about to turn my back when an idea came into my mind. "Manang, akin na po. Ako na lang ang mag-lilinis."

"Po?" 

I smiled. "Ako na lang po ang maglilinis ng kwarto ko."

"Ay, hindi na po. Ako na lang. Lilinisin ko pong mabuti."

I shook my head. "Ako na lang po. Sige na po. Wala rin po kasi akong magawa."

Wala siyang nagawa ng kunin ko ang mga panlinis sa kanya. I took a deep breath. I just wanted to prove myself that I wasn't sick. Nung una ay ayos lang ako. Pero hindi nagtagal ay nakaramdam na ako ng pagsisikip ng dibdib. It made it hard for me to breathe. Later on, I felt so dizzy and lost consciousness. 

When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Ang umiiyak na si mama ang nabungaran ko. Kaagad niya akong niyakap ng makita niyang gising na ako.

"Chela, pinag-alala mo ako ng husto, anak."

"Chela, bakit ka naman naglinis, anak?" sabi ni yaya Bebs na nangingilid din ang mga luha.

"Sorry po, Ma. Yaya Bebs."

Dumating din si Jerome kasama ang kuya niya. The latter introduced himself to my parents. He explained all the tests that I should undergo. Mama and Papa both agreed. At first, I refused but they convinced me. How could I refuse when Mama was already crying. 

Iba't-ibang mga test ang ginawa sa akin. Kahit natatakot ako ay tinatagan ko ang aking loob. I had to be strong for my parents. 

"I forgot to call Vince, hija," mama said. "Wait. I should ca-"

Pinigilan ko siya bago pa niya makuha ang kanyang phone. "Ma, please don't call him. Don't tell him about this."

"Anak..."