Borrowed Time (completed)

12. signs

"Rico, did you withdraw 20k from our ATM today? Ang laki naman ata. I've paid for some of our bills already this month. I am just waiting for some of our dividends to come in."

"Yes. I withdrew 20k. Nagkita kami ni Sam kanina."

"Sam?"

"Si Samuel. Yung kapatid mo."

"WHAT?! After all these years?! The nerve of him to come to you and ask for money! Wala na syang makuha sa mga lalake nya?"

"It's not for him..."

"And you've turned into his financier now?"

"Rose, pwede bang makinig ka muna?"

"Ano? Naubos nya na ang mana nya at ngayon hihingi-hingi ng pera sa atin?"

"ROSE! Will you please sit down and listen to me first..."

"...eto na, uupo na...okay..I'll keep quiet na...why did Sam suddenly meet with you?"

"Our son..."

"Ikki-boy?" Rose looked at Rico, tears pooling in her eyes at the mention of her son's name.

"Yes..."

"Nakita mo na si Ikki-boy? Rico! Iuwi mo si Ikki-boy dito sa hacienda!" Rose immediately stood up and held Rico with both arms.

"...hindi ko nakita si Ricky...hindi ko nakita si Rj...he does not like to be called Ikki. Even before, he kept on telling me that he does not like that name. Can you please sit down and let me continue?"

"But..but..my Ikki...my baby...." Rose said as she sat down on the bed once more.

"Ano ka ba naman Rose, 23 na yung anak mo. Hindi na sya baby. Kaya na nga nyang gumawa ng saril nyang baby..."

"Nakabuntis sya? Is that why Sam is asking for money?"

"Huh? Sinong nakabuntis? Walang nabuntis. I offered Sam the money for Rj's medical expenses."

"Eh diba sabi ni Miguel okay ang puso nya?" Rose said as she looked up at Rico.

"For the past months, Rj's heart rate has seemed to have plateaued like it did before..."

"Is he under stress that's why nagiging erratic ulit?"

"I don't know. Walang ibang details na binigay si Sam pa except that he met with Miguel before he met with me. Miguel updated him with Rj's condition. He wants Rj to have a check up again and possibly undergo a procedure..."