When Past takes over Present

Chapter 44: Another challenge

Ashlyn's POV

***

"Let's go...", sabi ni Nathan at hinila ako papunta sa motor niya.

"Magta-taxi nalang kami", Elaine says.

I grabbed Nathan's spare helmet and we drove off. Hindi ko namalayan kung ga'no kami katagal sa daan, basta ang alam ko, nakadating kami ng maayos.

I rushed to the nurse's station and asked about Ethan's room. Private ward: Room no. 014.

I rushed to his room with Nathan behind me. Sakto naman na kalalabas lang nila ate Tammy.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?", halatang galit siya. This is sh*t.
"Sinama mo pa talaga siya ha?!"

"Ate please, nagkakamali kayo. I didn't choose between them, maniwala ka"

"Ba't pa? It's clear that you chose him over my brother"

"Ate makinig ka please. Hindi ako pumili kasi wala namang pagpipilian. Kasi sa umpisa palang siya na. Nathan's my brother ate, kambal ko siya"

"Ka-kambal? No. That's impossible. He died in the fire!"

"No he di--you know?", I ask. I caught her off-guard. "You know about Ashton?"

"Of course! I was with your brother that night. Pero wag mo 'kong baliktarin dito dahil sa hindi ko pagsabi sa'yo. I was just doing what I was told. Now, if you don't stop lying---"

"She's not", Brittney and the others came to my rescue.

"Oh great, back-up. Of course you'll support her"

"Ate totoo lahat ng sinabi niya" ~ Raven

"Ano ba yang sigawan na yan ha?", lumabas ang mama ni Ethan. "Tammy, ano ba'ng nangyayari sa'yo ha?", pumagitna sa'min si tita Kristine.

"Mom, she's the reason why Ethan's inside that room. Don't tell me ipagtatanggol mo pa yan!"

"What are you talking about? Sinabi sa'kin nila Ayessa lahat. Magkapatid sila. At isa pa, yung kapatid mo ang nag-desisyong uminom"

"I don't believe you..."

"It's true Tammy", mom and dad arrived. "Nathan is Ashton. It was merely a misunderstanding...". Mrs. Rogers approached her daughter with a hug.

"He will be okay Tammy. Trust me", ate Tammy just cried and sat down.

"Pumasok ka na Ashlyn. Nasa loob si Kate", so I did.

Kate was sleeping on the couch but what I saw was heartbreaking.

Ethan had a bandage wrapped around his head. Machines attached everywhere. Bruises on his face and arms.

Hinila ko yung upuan palapit sa higaan ni Ethan. I just held his hand while crying..

"Ethan...andito na 'ko. Gumising ka naman oh", sabi ko. Linapit ko ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko.

"Ethan naman eh, kahit kelan talaga advance ka mag-isip. Pinangungunahan mo lahat.
Ba't ka ba kasi uminom ha?! Ano ba'ng pumasok sa utak mo? May usapan tayo dati diba? Alcohol-free life diba? Wake up please...sesermonan pa kita", I touch his left cheek.

"Ate Ashlyn?", Kate wakes up. She just rushes towards me and hugs me tighter than ever.

"Dad said he's going to be fine. Is he?", she asks. I was dumbfounded at the moment.