It Was Always You (Published)

Chapter 48

D W I G H T

I am restless as I was watching Tania in her deep slumber. She's been asleep for over three hours now. It is her who could stop this miserable feeling that I am feeling right now. When is she going to wake up?

I held her hand. I couldn't believe that her beauty overpowered those cuts and bruises all over her body. She really is downright gorgeous.

Someone's phone rang.

"Wait lang, guys! Sagotin ko lang 'to," Cailah threw a glance at her cousin before she stormed out of the hospital room. Matthew followed her.

"Ano na ang gagawin natin, dude? Hindi naman pwedeng makulong si Myra!"

I looked at Ranie intently. "Tone down your voice. You might wake her up, idiot."

How ironic it is. I want her to wake up already, but I still want to see her sleeping peacefully like this.

Ranie raised his arms as if he's submitting. "Sorry naman! Bad trip lang
talaga ako!"

Stacie pulled the hem of his shirt to make him stop. She's doing the right thing. Kanina pa nag-iingay ang boyfriend niya. I know that she's irritated, too.

A few moments later, Dana and Danielle entered the room. They bought some food for us. I am not hungry, though. I am more nervous and scared. Tania's parents might take her away from me. I can't even comprehend the thought of her being taken away from me. Let alone imagining it, it left my mind restless. It is possible because I am the one to blame.

Cailah and Matthew just got inside the room, but Cailah's phone rang again.

"I'm fine, Mom! Si Tania po iyon, hindi ako. Hindi niyo na po kailangang pumunta dito," and for the second time, they stepped out again.

I kissed my Tania's hand. I looked at her and I couldn't help myself from remembering those moments when I didn't care if I looked like an idiot just to get her attention. 'Yung magpapapansin ako. Aasarin ko siya. Iinisin hanggang sa makatikim ako ng solid na sapak mula sa kaniya. Kahit nga pang-iirap ay ipinagpapasalamat ko. At least, she noticed me.

There was this time when I had to plead her just that she would let me seat beside her. Lahat silay ay pinagka-isahan ako. Gumawa pa ng kwento sina Matthew at Ranie para lang pumayag siya.

I will never forget that day when I had to play dumb in front of everyone. She wouldn't talk to me and that was the only way I could think of at the moment. She taught me that formula which I already mastered since I was five. Hindi ko iyon pinagsisisihan. Hinding-hindi.

Tania and I had a lot of memories together. Most of them were painful memories. Ang masasayang ala-ala namin ay nagsimula lang ngayong nasa fourth year na kami. But I'm still thankful. Walang tapon sa mga iyon. Lahat ay pinahahalagahan ko. Lahat, dahil sabay naming binuo ni Tani ang mga ala-ala na iyon.

"Dude..." Ranie pointed the door.

Hindi niya ituturo ang pinto kung sina Matthew at Cailah lang ang pumasok. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Ngayon lang ulit ako kinabahan ng ganito.

Tito Louie and Tita Annie ran towards their daughter.  I blinked countless times when they ignored me as if I never existed. I immediately stood up to give them some space. And I swear, that was the longest five seconds of my life.

Hinila ako ni Ranie sa braso. "Dude, kailangan muna nating lumabas. Let's give them some time."

Gusto kong umiling, pero tumango ako dahil iyon ang nararapat kong gawin. I turned my back at Tania's parents. I am ready to explain my side—to tell them the truth only if they'd ask me to. But the best thing I could do right now is to just leave.