Love On Fire (Fire Series #1)

Kabanata 22

I wiped my tears away and went back home. My eyes immediately caught Mama sitting at the sofa. Agad akong lumapit sa kanya. 

"Ma," napansin niya naman ako kaya tumayo siya at niyakap ako. I felt her tears on my shoulders.

I've never seen Mama breaking down. She was our support. She has been there for us especially when we are the brink of giving up.

"Ma, May nangyari ba?" I couldn't help but worry. Humarap naman siya sa akin.

"Nak.." her voice broke down.

"Ma? Ano po?"

I saw how she closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. It hurts seeing my mother in this state. My heart clenched painfully.

"Nak, kailangan na nating umalis."

"Umalis? Ma? Ha? Saan po?"

Kinakabahan na rin ako sa tono ng pananalita ni Mama. It felt that I needed to prepare myself for a drought that may come.

"Aalis na tayo papuntang New York. Hindi na kaya ng Papa mo."

"What?" I asked confused. "I thought Papa's condition is getting better."

"Akala lang namin 'yun nak, na umo-okay na ang kondisyon ng Papa mo. Pero, mas lalo pa itong lumalala.  Hindi na niya nakakayanan ng treatment kahit ng gamot, 'nak. Kailangan niya ng immediate surgery."

I was still stunned. I didn't move. My mouth parted. My eyes were getting teary too. How can this happen?

I cried hard as the jolt of system crashed me. Ang sakit. They're my family, one of my greatest possessions. Their burdens and heartaches are mine too.

"Ma? Bakit? Bakit nangyayari 'to?"

"Hindi ko rin alam, 'nak. Sobrang sakit na araw araw nakikita ko si papa mo sa ganung kundisyon. Halos gumuho na ang mundo ko, kailangan na nating agad pumunta ng New York. Ni-rekomenda na rin ng doktor niya. Mas magiging maayos dahil advanced doon."

"Ma,"

"Nag-book na ako ng flight natin, 'nak, may limang araw na lang tayo. Don't worry, ayos na ang visa mo.  Asikasuhin mo na rin yung papeles mo sa school. Samahan natin si Papa mo, huh. Palakas ka 'nak."

"Are we going to stay there for good, Ma?"

"Yes 'nak. Doon na rin tayo titira. Nandoon naman ang kamag-anak natin.  Mas okay na rin 'yun para sa recovery ng Papa mo."

Halos hindi na rin ako makapagsalita. I don't know why these things were happening. It was as if destiny's been playing with me.

Padua and I didn't talk after. It was still hard for me to process everything. I would be leaving everything– especially him.

Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin kong mawala sa kanya. Nakakatangina lang talaga ang mga nangyayari ngayon.

Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko habang nagdi-discuss ang propesor namin. I was bombarded with things I don't know if I can bear, if I can accept.

My eyes were glued outside the window. It was nice seeing people happily talking as if problem doesn't entertain them. I don't just damn understand why everything that is going on in my life are fragments.

Natapos na ang leksyon at wala na rin akong halos naintindihan. Inayos ko ang gamit ko at lumabas na. Ang nakakainis lang dito sa university, Kailangan ko pang dumayo ng napakahabang lakaran papuntang next subject.

Natapos naman ang klase pero ang bigat pa rin ng pakiramdam ko. Nag-byahe ako ng jeep papuntang ospital.

Nasa dulo naman ako ng jeep ngayon nakatanaw lang sa labas. I picked the phone on my bag and browsed at my gallery. I licked my lips and pressed it together as I saw some of our photos. Bakas sa mukha ko ang ngiti bago ako makarating sa ospital. Ang sakit sakit lang isipin na lalayo ako sa kanya. Pero, sa panahon na 'to mas kailangan ako ng pamilya ko.