Moving Along The Beat

Chapter 21

MY heart was pounding heavily as I ran along the hospital corridor. Guilt was eating me. Tears were streaming down my eyes as I thought of our last conversation.

Sana hindi ko siya pinagmadali.

The door of his room opened, revealing Achie and the gang. Alam kong parang tinadtad ng kagat ng ipis ang mata ko pero wala akong pakielam.

I faced Achie. "A-achie. What happened? Kayo yung magkakasama 'diba?" I sob. "P-please, t-tell me what happened."

Achie's wearing his poker face but I could see his eyes holding melancholic emotions. He did not say anything, instead he hugged me. I couldn't help it anymore, my sob became louder.

"Shh... he's fine. Some truck driver fell asleep while driving, nasa likod niya si Theo, but Theo was a little bit fast kaya hindi niya rin na-control agad. The driver is also okay at this moment."

Relief and guilt washed through me when I heard him said that. Kumawala ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya. Pinili ko munang alisin sa utak na nagmamadali si Theo at inisip na ayos lang siya.    "Really?"

He smiled and nodded, brushing my tears away. "Go. Get inside. He's still sleeping, fix yourself, you don't want him to see you weeping like that."

Tumango ako at pinunasan ang mata bago pumasok sa loob. Naabutan ko siyang nakahiga at napapalibutan ng kung ano-ano. Mama, Thea and Ginny were sitting in the sofa of the hospital room Theo's in.

Hindi naman pumasok sila Achie, bawal din kasing sobrang dami sa kuwarto.

I sat beside Ginny and lowered my head. I should be happy that Theo's fine but the guilt was still creeping over me.

"Kayo na muna rito, bibili lang kaming pagkain ni Thea."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kila mama nang tumayo sila ni Thea. "Po? Ako na po."

"No. Kami na."

Bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo nang hindi na sila nagpapigil.

"You know it's not your fault right?"

I looked beside me to see Ginny looking at Theo.

I smiled bitterly. "We all know whose fault it is."

Tumango siya. "Yeah. No one."

My smile faded by her answer, I was expecting her to say blatant words about how worthless I was as a girlfriend.

Instead of answering, I continued to look at Theo. Akala ko ba okay na siya? When would he wake up?

"I'm gonna call the doctor!"

Napatayo kami ni Ginny, dire-deretso siyang lumabas at ako naman ay lumapit kay Theo.

"T-Theo!" I shouted in glee when I saw his hand moved.

My eyes started to well up when I saw his eyes moving. Handa na sanang tumulo ang luha ko nang pinigil ko ito. Bagkus ay hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang kamay niya.

"Hey." I said.

Theo smiled, weakly. "H-hey."

I gripped his hands tightly, preventing myself from bawling. "I- I told you to be careful, didn't I?"

He tried to chuckle. "I'm okay now. Did you cry?"

I shook my head. "No. Why would I? I know you'll survive." Lumunok ako matapos sabihin 'yon.

"Mr. Seo. How are you feeling?"

Bibitaw sana ako kay Theo ngunit hinawakan niya nang mas mahigpit ang kamay ko nang pumasok ang doctor.