HB 1: HIS BEAUTIFUL START - COMPLETE

Kabanata 19

HE NEVER realized it 'till she left. 'Till she turns her back at him. He was too harsh. He wasn't able to contain his anger. He didn't want other people to be treated badly because of him. He didn't want others to worry. If he can, he would do his best to keep everything by himself.

It works better for him that way.

But I guess, it didn't, instead, I've hurt them more.

5 YEARS AGO

"Kung ano man ang mangyari sa akin, promise me Rave, you'll keep smiling."

Hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi ni Hannah sa kanya. She was smiling at him like it was just normal for her to say that.

"Don't say that."

Humigpit ang hawak nito sa kamay niya saka inihilig nito ang ulo sa balikat niya. Nakaupo sila sa isa sa mga bench sa garden sa ospital na 'yon. Naka schedule na this week ang pangangak ni Hannah – C section dahil sa heart risk nito.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For letting me keep our baby. Alam ko na nag-aalala ka sa akin and you were against it at first, but I know you love us and you will do your best to keep us safe. Kahit na nagalit sila Mama at Papa sa'yo, pinaglaban mo pa rin kami."

"Just promise me you'll live."

Marahan itong tumango. "And promise me you'll keep smiling." Ngumiti siya. "Let's name our son, Ross."

"Ross? Why?"

"Because you love rose. Ikaw lang 'yong kilala kong lalaki na malaki ang fascination sa mga rosas. Kung naging babae ang anak natin, I'll name her Rose but since he's a boy, we'll name him Ross."

"I like that."

"Brave Ross Sanjercas, because he was such a brave little rose."

"What happened?" The look of horror in Mykael and Kevin's face made him more terrified and anxious. What's happening? "Mykael, magsalita kayo. Anong nangyari kay Hannah?" Hinawakan siya sa mga balikat ni Mykael. "Mykael –" Nawala lang siya saglit para bilhan ng mga rosas si Hannah nang bigla siyang tawagan ng mama niya.

"Rave, calm down," alo ni Kevin.

But how can he calm down? His mother is crying. His father couldn't even look at him straight in the eyes. Hannah's parents are nowhere to be seen.

"What happened to Hannah?" his voice broke.

Just please, don't let them tell him that his wife is gone. Please, he doesn't want to hear that. He's not sure if he can handle this.

"Rave." Naibaling niya ang mukha kay Kevin. "Hannah's gone."

"No." Umiling siya. "You're lying. Hannah will never leave me. She promised me she'll live for us."

"Rave –"

"I'm not gonna believe that." Marahas na itinulak niya palayo si Mykael. "Buhay ang asawa ko. Hindi niya magagawang iwan ako. Nangako siya. Nangako si Hannah." Dire-diretso siyang naglakad palayo sa mga ito. Pupuntahan niya ang asawa niya. At alam niyang, sasalubungin siya ng masayang ngiti nito.

Pero bakit, hindi ngiti ang nakita niya sa mukha ng asawa? Bakit nawala ang kulay sa mukha nito? Bakit ito nakapikit? Was she sleeping? Was she tired? Naramdaman niya ang sobrang paninikip ng dibdib nang maramdaman ang malamig na kamay nito.