Zoey: the Road leads to Rome (Completed)

Chapter 21- Life over Death

Zoey's POV

A bad news from my papa came to me. My mama died. I need to get home... Cailee went home with me, but Khal can't because of her subjects.

I saw my mom in her coffin... tears started to fall like a dam. A strong calming hand embraces my shoulder.

"My condolences, Zoey." It was Rome. He is here.
I cried on his shoulder that day. He let me even his shirt became wet, he let me. And after that, the pain became bearable... still there but bearable because Rome stands with me.

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The cyst is cancerous and it is aggressive. Cailee begged me to do a treatment, but my babies... I can't abort them...

"What is your plan?" Tanong ni Cailee sa akin. She asked Rome if kung pwede ko daw siyang samahan sa Metro Manila. Of course dahilan nya lang yun. Kailangan ko talagang magpunta ng doctor for my check up.
"To wait until my babies will be born."
"Kailangan mo talagang sabihin kay Rome." Pamimilit ni Cailee.
I smile sadly. Nakaupo kami sa hospital. Sa isang private room.
"Kailan ang kasal ninyo? Halata na ang tiyan mo Zoey."
"Hindi na kami magpapakasal." I replied.
Cailee looks frustrated at me.
"Magiging byudo siya, Cailee... Mas okay na ang hindi kami kasal. Mawala man ako, walang pangalan ng babae na nakakabit sa pangalan niya."
"Don't fucking say that... You will live." Pinipigilan ni Cailee ang umiyak.
"We both know I will die." I replied softly.

Bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto. It saves both of us for future argument. Pumasok ang doctor ko kasunod ang isang taong hindi ko inaasahan na makita. Si Tito Tristan.

"Zoey? Cailee?" Nagtatanong ang boses niya.  Cailee stands up and kiss his cheek. I on the other hand can't stand because my whole body is shaking.
"Kilala mo sila Doc?" Tanong ng doctor ko kay Tito.
"Yes." Maikling sagot ni Tito. Binigay ng doctor koang medical record kokay Tito Tristan. Binasa niya ito at napatingin sa akin.
"My God, Zoey." Namutla si Tito. I know how bad the situation is. I will probably die. The cancer will spread to my body if I will not do a chemo theraphy. But I will not abort my baby... So I need to wait until they can perform a cesarean to me to save my babies... But it will be too late. The cancer will spread to me after 4 months.

"Tito, huwag nyo pong sabihin kay Rome." That is the only thing I asked him. And it will be hard for him, Rome is his son... And I am carrying his grandchildren... And I am asking him to hide this.
"He needs to know." Napaupo si Tito Tristan sa isang upuan. Natahimik kami.
"I am saving our babies. I don't want him to see me dying everyday. Wala naman pong ibang option. I will not abort this pregnancy..."

"Doc... Are you sure you want to handle her case? It looks like she is a family to you." Tanong ng doctor ko kay Tito.
"She's a family, yes. She's carrying my grandchildren. I will need the whole team to have a meeting with me later. Doctora Evangelista, please make sure that this will keep confidential. I don't want to be pulled out. I will have Zoey from you if that is okay?"

"Wala pong problema Doc. I will ask your secretary to schedule a meeting?"
"Please do so. I will check up Zoey first. Thank you for bringing it to me."Sagot ni Tito Tristan.
"Welcome, Doc." Nagpaalam sa amin si Doc. Evangelista.

It's unfair to put the weight of this problem to Tito Tristan.

"I will not give up on your case Zoey. You know that, right?" Tito Asked me.
"I will look for a possible treatment for your...cancer."

"Huwag nyo pong sabihin kay Rome." Pag-uulit ko.
Matagal bago tumango si Tito Tristan.
"And Tito... whatever happens, please save my babies. Save them before me."

There are tears in Tito's eyes, but he keeps it at bay. Huminga siya ng malalim bago tumango.

Kinailangan ni Rome na bumalik sa Hacienda. With Tito Tristan's help, napapayag namin na maiwan ako sa Country Club para mamonitor niya ako. Everyday, he will ask me to go to clinic and do a scan. He monitors the growth of cyst. Hindi ko alam kung pati kay Tita Diane itinago niya ang nangyayari sa akin.

Hindi kami masyadong nag-uusap ni Rome. Hindi ko alam kung magiging masaya ba ako dahil umiiwas siya o malulungkot ako dahil gusto ko siyang makasama sa natitirang araw sa akin.

Niyaya ako ni Tita Diane na ayusin ang isang kwarto sa bahay nila dito sa Country Club. She turned it into a nursery. We were excited for the deliveries ng mga furniture napinili namin online. Napuno ng gamit ng mga bata ang kwarto...Pati ang ibang tita nakigulo sa pag-aayos. My babies will be spoiled for sure.

After a week, naka ayos na ang dalawang crib sa loob ng kwarto. Nakasalansan ang mga laruan sa isang gilid. Ang mga damit na pang-baby ay nalabhan na din at maayos na nakatupi sa mga tig-isang set of drawers.

Naiyak ako sa saya, dahil alam kong madami ang magmamahal sa mga anak ko.Naiyak ako sa lungkot dahil hindi nila ako makakasama. At naiyak ako sa takot para sa kanila dahil lalaki silang hindi nila ako kilala.

Eto ang araw-araw kong nararamdaman at ayaw kong maramdaman iyon ni Rome.

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A/N
Ang bigat isulat ng chapter na ito at ang susunod pang chapter.
Bakit ba pinahirapan kong magsulat ang sarili ko?
Ang hirap magsulat ng umiiyak.