After Her (completed)

Chapter 26- The Distance

Lego

A week since we left. Nakaenroll na kami ni Star sa bagong university. I will reach my dream now and become a pilot. Bagay na ginawa ko dapat dati pa.

For now, magkasama pa kami ni Star sa apartment but I will move out once my class starts. Nakaupo si Star sa sofa at nanonood naman ako ng Netflix. Her phone rang...

"Mitch, hello." Bati niya. Nakavideo call sila and I prayed she will leave me alone in here. Ayaw kong makabalita tungkol sa Ateneo.
"Star, oh God." Sabi ni Michelle.
"Hey, are you crying? What happened? Is it Brix?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Star.
"No...no.... no... Si Rose, dinala namin sa hospital. Nasa ER siya ngayon." Sabi nito.

Napatingin ako kay Star na namutla sa harapan ng cellphone niya.
"I think she had a heart attacked earlier." Kwento ni Michelle.
"Oh God." Naiyak na rin si Star.

Natulala ako sa kinauupuan ko. Para akong binuhusan ng yelo. No, this can't be.
"Raiden just called us. He saw Rose at the canteen looking pale. Then she said she can't breathe. Tapos nawalan siya ng malay. I was so scared." Pagkukwento ni Michelle.
"Mabuti naabutan namin ni Kenshin. Dinala namin sa clinic but they transfer her to the hospital."

"Saang hospital?" Tanong ko. I get my phone and call Trevor. God, what is happening?
"We are at St. Luke's Medical Center in E. Rodriguez. Ken decided to transfer her here." Umiiyak na sagot ni Michelle.

"Hello, Trevor. Si Rose. Inatake si Rose. Nasa St. Luke's Medical Center." Bungad ko agad pagkasagot ni Trevor.
"Shit... I'll be there."
"Call Kenshin, he's with her." I tried to remain calm but my heart says otherwise.
"Ok, got it."
"Trevor... save her. Please" I pleaded.
"I'll do my best, Lego."

"Mitch," I heard Kenshin's voice. Tumabi ako kay Star na naginginig na sa couch.
Please, let her be okay.
"How is she?" Tanong ni Michelle kay Kenshin.
"They are reviving her." Sagot ni Raiden.
"Oh God... Rose." Umiyak lalo si Michelle.
"Pinalabas kami ng ER." Dagdag pa ni Raiden.

"I'm going home," I said.
"Si Lego ba yan?" Tanong ni Ken.
Binigay ni Michelle ang phone kay Kenshin and Star gave her phone to mine. She's crying her hearts out.

"I'm going home, Ken."
"Wala ka ring magagawa. Magsisimula na ang klase mo, Lego. And besides, kaya mo bang makita si Rose? Kaya mo bang lapitan?" Tanong ni Kenshin sa akin.
"At least kaya sa malayo," Katwiran ko.
"Nasa malayo ka na, Lego. Let her recover first. She will make it."

Nangilid ang mga luha ko.
"It's my fault."
"No. Wala namang may gusto ng nangyari. Babalitaan na lang kita. Ayusin mo muna ang sarili mo, Lego. She doesn't deserve half of you. Hindi kakayanin ng puso niya. Kahit kay Kyla pa galing iyon. Kahit kasing sama pa ng kapatid niya ang dugo niya, hindi kakayanin ni Rose ang sakit na ibibigay mo dahil lang sa kapatid niya ni Noah at nasa kanya ang puso ni Kyla. Hayaan mo munang maghilom kayong dalawa. Mas lalo ka na." Pangaral ni Kenshin sa akin.

"Trevor called me already, babalitaan na lang namin kayo. Ako muna ang bahala kay Rose, habang inaayos mo ang sarili mo."
"Thank you, Ken." I murmured.
"Welcome, bro." He replied and ended the video call.

"Kuya," Yumakap si Star sa akin.
"She will make it." I told Star.
She has to make it. She has to...

Buong gabi akong hindi makatulog. Every hour yata akong nagmemessage kay Ken. Isa lang ang sinasagot niya. Nasa ICU si Rose.

I want to talk to her but I can't. I want to see her but I can't look at her. She said she loves me but I threw it on her face.

"She doesn't deserve me. She deserves someone else. Someone who is not broken. Someone who will protect her from people like me." I murmured habang nakatingin sa picture na pinadala ni Ken sa akin.

She is at ICU with tubes at her body. The picture is not clear and they are not allowed to enter the room. Kaya sa labas lang ng viewing window kinunan ang picture.

"She doesn't deserve this." Unti- unti na namang pumatak ang luha ko.
"She deserves better than this."