Stay with me

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21

Amina

Ang pagkakataon nga naman. Heto ako ngayon kaharap ang taong dahilan kung bakit ako nagpapatago tago at tumatakbo papalayo. Taong kahit gaano ko kamahal natatakot akong harapin. Nakakatawa dahil ngayon ako pa minsmo ang lumapit pabalik sa kanya.

Ako pa mismo ang pumunta sa hotel kung saan sya tumutuloy. Sinamahan ako ni Brayden kung nasaan mismo si Baba. Somehow sa pagsama ni Brayden sa akin nabawasan ang takot na nararamdaman ko but still, there is a big space in my heart and mind na natatakot sa maaring kalabasan ng pag-uusap namin.

Bahagya kong inilibot ang paningin ko sa kabuoan ng suite ni baba. As usual, marami pa ring mga tauhan nya ang nagbabantay kaya kung papatayin nila ako, walang makakaalam. Except kay Brayden na nasa labas lang ng suite nag aantay sa akin.

"My princess..."

My heart skip a beat when I heard his voice and it also makes me want to leave this place this instance. Mariin kong ipinikit ang mata ko at inalala kung bakit nga ba ako mismo ang lumapit sa kanya. Kung bakit ako nandito ngayon. Kung bakit inaya ko si Brayden to bring me to Baba kahit na tutol ang isip ko.

Flashback

Mabilis akong tumayo naglakad papalabas. I need to see Brayden. I need to talk to him. Naabutan ko syang nasa isang bench staring at the sea or his cousins na nag su-swim. Hindi ko alam. Hindi yun ang pinunta ko.

"Brayden." Mahinang tawag ko sa kanya.

"Babe!" Bahagyang nagulat si Brayden ng lingunin nya ako pero agad ding napalitan ito ng ngiti.

"Is it true?"

"True what?" Kunot noong balik tanong nya sa akin. Hinawakan nya ako sa kamay at pinaupo sa tabi nya. "Can you please elaborate your question?"

"I-is my baba dying?"

His brows creased. Then sighed later on. Mabilis pa rin ang tibok ng puso ko. He's my father, and I am afraid to hear that he might be dying anytime soon. I may hate him but I don't want him to die.

"No and yes."

"I don't understand, Brayden." Naguguluhang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Sultan Tadeo Balahim is suffering from Acute subdural hematoma it is a rapid collection of blood between the surface of the brain and the dura. A thick layer of tissue between the brain and the skull. Surgical treatment, such as craniectomy, is critical to prevent additional damage to the brain, and to prevent death."

Brayden explains what will happened to baba pero wala akong naintindihan kahit isa. Not because it's medical term but because of the fact that he might die!

"Is he going to die?" Umiiyak na tanong ko sa kanya. Hoping that he would say no.

"No he won't. Not in my watch, babe."

"And I can hear a but, Brayden."

"Sultan Tadeo doesn't want to go under surgery unless he see his daughter and that's you. I won't ask you to convince him though it would be a big help in his part if you do dahil habang tumatagal his clock is slowly ticking. He could just die anytime soon. Acute Subdural hematoma is a serious case."

End of flashback.

"Asil is right. You are here." Ngumiti sa akin si baba. Ngiting matagal ko nang ibinaon sa limot. "I'm glad to see you my princess again."

Naumid ang dila ko ng marinig ko ang medyo paos nyang boses. After a long, long time, I've got the chance to hear him calling me my princess again. Baba's endearment to me. His eye are different. Masyadong malungkot ang mga mata nya. Maitim rin ang paligid nito na para bang hindi na sya natutulog.