Bewitched

PROLOGUE

Kahit pawis na pawis at bahagyang naghahabol ng hininga, pero para kay Chase, hindi ito mukhang may sakit. Gone was her skin that once has a peach glow he used to and her big bright eyes, but still she's so beautiful, in fact, he believed there's no other woman who could surpass her beauty. Probably the most beautiful woman he would know.

Lumaylay ang mga kamay nitong nakapatong sa kamang kinahihigaan, bahagyang gumalaw-galaw ang daliri. He followed by his eyes her long and elegant fragile hands, now were in yellow, even her nails were yellowish until his eyes settled on her eyes that were staring at me. Her lids two slits, just enough to let me know that she knew I was there, with her, for her. That's one thing I loved about her. When she looked at me, she really saw me, like she knew my insides. She didn't look past me to the other things she needed to do with her day, she listened to every stupid story I tell her. Nakikinig siya habang kumikinang ang mga mata niya at may masuyong ngiti sa mga labi. She listened to every word I say while the others only nod without even listening. But not her. Never her.

"Chase," she said, her voice raspy. She cleared her throat and the corners of her mouth turned up.

"Come here, baby. It's okay. Come here." she held her trembling hand.

Dad put his hand on the base of my neck and pushed me forward while listening to the nurse. Dad called her Lian. Dumating ito sa bahay ilang araw na mula ngayon. Her words were soft and her eyes were nice, but I don't like her. I can't explain but her being there scared me. Alam kong nandun lang siya to help me, or Mommy. But it wasn't a good thing even though Dad was okay with her.

Bahagya akong itinulak ni Dad. Close enough for Mommy to touch me. Inilahad nito ang mahahaba at elegante nitong mga daliri. She brushed her fingers on my arm.

"It's okay, Chase, baby," she whispered. "Mommy wants to tell you a secret."

I stuck my finger in my mouth and pushed it around my gums, fidgeting. It seems to me that nodding to her makes her smile so I did. Me, nodding at her, made her small smile wider, so I made sure to make big movements with my head as I stepped forward toward her.

She used what was left of her strength to scoot closer to me and then she took a deep breath. But it seems to me that even breathing pains her more.

"What I'm going to ask you will be very hard for you, anak, but I know you can do it because you're a big boy now. My little big boy." she smiled softly. Her eyes glistening.

I nodded again, mirroring her smile, even if I didn't feel like smiling right now. Smiling when she looked so tired and uncomfortable didn't feel right, but being brave made her happy. So I was brave. I know I must be.

"Chase, gusto kong makinig ka sa mga sasabihin ni Mommy ha? And most importantly I want you to remember." she paused and took another painfull breath.

"I need you to remember. This will be very hard for you anak. I've been trying to remember things from when I was three, and I-" she trailed off, the pain too big for a bit.

"Pain getting unimaginable Diane?" Lian said. Hawak nito ang matulis na bagay na parang karayom na nakakonekta sa kamay ni Mommy. After a few moments, Mommy seems to relaxed a bit. She took another breath and tried again.

"Can you do that for Mommy, anak? Can you remember what I'm about to say?"

I nodded again and she raised a hand to my cheek. Her skin wasn't very warm and her hand... she could only keep her hand in place for a few seconds before it will get shaky and fell on the bed. I followed every movement of her hand she makes. When I glance up at her, she smiled beautifully and perfectly at me, only that it looks painful too. I swallowed a lump on my throat. Mommy stared at me liked I'm about to be abducted by the aliens. Like she would never see me again.