How to Save a Heart (Saving Destiny #1)

18. "Always hopes."

Chapter 18

"Always hopes."

——

 

I remember, I once had a dream about star-crossed lovers. Hindi ko alam kung nakapanood ba ako ng romance movie kung saan ang mga bida ay hindi nagkatuluyan or nakabasa ako ng libro na walang happy ending ang characters. And after that, I grew curious what it's like to fall in love and be loved in return, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of whether you'd end up together or not. Kung totoo nga ba na love conquers all, and if you're together, you can beat the odds.

However, I stopped those curious fantasies when I saw how Elana cried over her cheating boyfriend. Natakot akong masaktan. I've been burned so much before from all the bullying I've experienced and how my mother, or auntie, disregarded me when I needed her the most. Kaya bakit ko pa hahayaang masaktan rin ako ng isang taong maaari kong mahalin? Though hindi pa siya dumadating, I know I had to guard my heart. I only had to keep my guard up and my defenses against him. But why did I let myself fall for him? I can't even recall when I started loving Hermes.

I slowly opened my eyes, and the face of the guy who I was thinking about greeted me. Relief instantly washed over his face and he immediately placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes for a moment, reeling in this moment, hoping I wasn't just dreaming. When I opened my eyes again, he was still there, smiling at me. I smiled back, realizing that seeing him wasn't a dream anymore.

"H-Hermes..." I found myself saying through my oxygen mask, almost in a whisper. Nang tumingin ako sa gilid ako, napansin ko ang mommy kong umiiyak, her head slumped on the bed and she was clutching my hand like her life depended on it. Sinubukan kong galawin ang kamay ko, at siguro ay doon lang niya na-realize na gising na ako. Umayos siya ng upo at tiningnan ako.

"D-Destiny? Oh—Oh my God, anak!" she cried, bolted up right and hurriedly rushed to my side. Lumayo muna si Hermes to give my mom, and Elana some space for them. Mom kissed my forehead just like what Hermes did earlier and Elana had a huge grin while clutching my hand tightly.

"How are you feeling? Ayos ka lang ba? Walang masakit sa'yo?" tanong ni mommy, halatang nagpapanic siya but was relieved at the same time. I slightly shook my head at her as an answer.

"Tatawagin ko lang po ulit ang mga doctors." I heard Hermes say, and when he walked away, my breath hitched. Oo nga pala, I chose to be selfish. I chose to listen to Clotho's words and cherish my remaining 15 days. 

"Bes? A-Ayos ka lang? Bakit parang..." Elana trailed off at tumingin rin siya sa direksyon kung saan ako nakatingin. How am I supposed to say to them that after Hermes walked out of the room, Thanatos was trailing behind him? How was I supposed to explain that I'm dealing with a death god? And now— I shook my head again, trying to steady my breathing.

"I...I-I'm fine." I told them weakly. Tama ba ang naging desisyon kong bumalik? If I only had 15 days left, was I going to spend those days in this hospital, lying all day on this bed? Maya-maya lang, pumasok muli si Hermes at kasama na niya ang mga doctors and other nurses. My eyes searched for Thanatos, and I was slightly relieved nang hindi ko siya makita. Maybe I was just seeing things. Yeah, that must be it.

Agad na dinaluhan ako ng mga doctor, checked what was wrong and all. Kinausap nila si mommy at hindi ko naintindihan kung ano ang sinabi nila. It was like hearing a different language that sounded so foreign to my ears. Ang tanging naintindihan ko lang ay isang miracle ang nangyari at stable na daw ang condition ko.

"Thank you, doc." my mom uttered and the doctors rushed out of the room. Once they were gone, Hermes, Elana and my mom turned to look at me. Kita ko sa mga mukha nila na ilang araw silang puyat, at kasabay niyon ang relief of having me back again.