Nagising ako nang may narinig akong bumukas ng pintuan. It was a nurse, palabas na ng room. I looked at the clock, halos magiisang oras din akong nakatulog. It's almost 6 am.
Napalingon ako sa taong nasa tabi ko. He also fell asleep while still holding my hands. Ang himbing ng tulog nya. I found myself just smiling and staring at him for quite a while. I silently wished he doesn't wake up just so I can stare at his beautiful face.
Hay...can the time freeze? Can we just stay like this forever?
Napalingon ako nang bumukas ang pinutuan.
It was Hannah. I immediately smiled when she came in. Happiness was evident all over her face.
"Where is everybody?" I asked.
"They fell asleep sa labas.", she answered. "We all saw you two having your little moment together, we didn't want to ruin it."
"And Marcus?"
"He's also there, waiting. Medyo napakalma na ni Sue. Now, you need to get ready for the tests na gagawin sayo. Magoopen na ang labs", she said. Medyo gumaan ang loob ko.
She slightly tapped her Kuya's cheek. "Kuya". Bumalikwas lang yung kuya nya nang niyugyog na sya ni Hannah dahil hindi ito magising kanina. He's still not letting go of my hand. "What is it?"
"She needs to get ready for her tests"
"Okay. I'll be with her", he looked at me as if he remembers everything, as if he still loves me like the way he loved me before.
Napapikit ako. Nanalangin na sana, makita na namin yung liwanag sa madilim na daang tinatahak namin.
"Kiss". Napalingon ako sa pumasok.
He looked at Donny at tinanguan ito. Donny let go of my hand and went to sit with Hannah on the sofa in front of me. Pinalitan sya ni Marcus na tumabi sakin. Si Marcus naman yung humawak sa kamay ko this time.
"I'm sorry, I almost yelled at you earlier." Napayuko sya. "I just got scared. Natakot akong mawala ka sakin gaya ng pagkawala ng mama ko. You know naman na binilin ka nya sakin diba?"
I nodded and smiled as response. I just let him talk.
"Natakot ako na mangyari sayo yung nangyari 12 years ago." Napalingon ako kila Hannah and Donny, halatang nagtataka. Kinabahan ako, ayaw kong malaman nila iyon. "I don't want to lose you ever again, I'm sure ninong and ninang wouldn't want that too" pagpapatuloy ni Marcus.
"Did you already tell them?" I asked.
Umiling sya. "Let's wait for the test results, you get better, when everything worsen, doon ko lang sasabihin". I smiled. I knew na malakas ako dito. Alam nyang ayaw na ayaw kong nagaalala sakin ang parents ko.
"Marcus, since you're here...can I ask your permission for Kisses to come with me to our family dinner later tonight?" Tumayo si Hannah sa pagkakaupo nya at lumapit samin. Natawa ako ng bahagya. Para syang kaibigan kong ipinapaalam ako sa tatay ko na lumabas. Sabagay, tatay ko nga pala to.
"Actually noots, they're all invited. I already told dad that I have guests". Sumunod naman si Donny sakanya. Bahagyang nagulat si Hannah sa sinabi ng kuya nya at tila biglang nagalala.
"But..."
Pinigilan ko sa pagsalita si Marcus. He just looked at me with his worrying face.
"Can you leave us two?" I asked Donny and Hannah.
Akmang aalis na sana silang dalawa. "No...Hannah stay" sabi ni Marcus.
Lumabas si Donny ng kwarto at tinanguan lamang sya ni Hannah.
"Marcus" Hinawakan ko kamay nya. Natatakot ako na baka di nya ako payagan at baka magalit pa sya kay Hannah. Tiningnan nya lang ako at binalik ang tingin kay Hannah.
"Hannah, are you really ready facing them tonight?", tanong nya kay Hannah. Medyo nagulat kami nang marinig namin yun. Ineexpect na kasi namin na magagalit sya.
Napabuntong hininga si Hannah. "It's Christmas, kuya Marcus. It's time to forgive."
"I understand. We're all going alright? We'll be there for you." Tinap nya ang ulo ni Hannah kaya napangiti kami. Lumingon sya sakin. "At ikaw, kaya mo na ba? Hindi ka ba magpapahinga?"
"She needs me" seryoso kong sagot.
Napatango na lamang si Marcus. "Okay. Wala na akong magagawa basta whatever happens..." Tumingin sya kay Hannah. "Hannah, you're part of our family now. Kaya kahit talikuran ka nila, you still have us" This time, he turned his head towards me. "And Kisses, kapag nakaramdam ka ng kahit anong kirot dyan sa puso mo, ipapauwi kita agad"
"Okay, daddy" Hannah and I said in unison. We both laughed. Napailing na lamang si Marcus at niyakap kami pareho.
Sa isang barkada talaga, there's always a father figure. In ours, we have Marcus, the one who binds us together and we'll forever be grateful of him.
A/N
I just thought this guy needs an appreciation post. ✌🏻
