Largesse

15. blessings

Sep and Meng went to visit Kyle at the hospital. Although he had undergone surgery to repair his broken bone, he had developed a slight fever and was rather stubborn and cranky most of the time.

As they neared the door of Kyle's room, Sep heard a familiar voice. He gently knocked on the door and waited for the signal to enter. As soon as Kyle saw Meng, he immediately stretched out his arms and shouted, "Ate Meng!"

Meng approached him and hugged him. Not long after, Kyle began to cry and hug Meng even tighter.

"Sorry po...sorry Ate Meng...sorry..."

"Huh? Bakit?" Meng said as she consoled the boy.

"Kasi...kasi...kung nag-hold ako sa yo sana hindi ako....sorry..."

"...bakit ka kasi tumakbo?"

"...sina Mama and Papa...they're always not home e..."

"...they're home na o...see..."

"Yes, baby. Papa and I promise to spend more time with you from now on..." Marinela said as she approached Kyle and sat on the other side of the bed.

---

"Uncle?"

"Sep" Uncle turned and smiled at Sep.

"...inaanak ko si Kyle...best friend ko tong si Sam..."

"Ah talaga po..."

"Oo. Kaya malaki ang pasalamat namin na sa simbahan nagpunta si Kyle...at dun pa daw sa simbahan kung saan ka nagttrabaho..."

"Opo. Ang sabi ni Kyle, sya daw ang sumasama dun sa isang matanda na kumupkop sa kanya..."

"Si Nanay Ikay..." Uncle Gabriel said with a smile.

"...naikwento na ni Kyle yung nangyari sa kanya. Naligaw na daw sya pagkababa nya nung jeep na sinakyan nya. Umulan daw ng malakas kaya naghanap sya ng masisilungan. Nakakita ata ng mga taong pumunta dun sa may ilalim ng tulay. Tapos, yung akala nyang sako o gamit sa isang sulok, tao pala. Tatakbo na sana sya kaso nakita nya na Lola pala yung nasa isang sulok at bulag pa daw ata..."

"Yun din ang kinuwento nya kay Meng..." Sep said as he glanced over where Meng was with Kyle. She was currently reading a book to Kyle while Marinela sat on the chair beside the bed watching them.

"Opo...magsasara na po sana ako ng ibang mga ilaw kasi pa-gabi na nun. Nilapitan ko si Nanay kasi sya nalang ang tao sa may harapan ng simbahan. Nagkausap kami sandali tapos tinulungan ko syang makalabas ng simbahan. Ilang sandali lang pagkalabas namin, may batang sumalubong sa kanya at umakay sa kanya. Akala ko pa nga nung una apo nya. Pero nung nagkausap kami, sabi nya, palaboy daw yung bata. Nakita naman nung kapatid ko ang balita tungkol sa news ng inaakalang pagkidnap. Nung nakita namin yung detalye, tinawagan naman ng isa ko pang kapatid yung number..."