Since Childhood

50: I Love You, Since Childhood

[Timothy's Point of View]

Its been two weeks and two days. Kahapon palang ay hinihintay ko na si Rhein. Maghapon ako naghintay because akala ko dadating na sya but it turns out that I waited for nothing. She promise me that she'll comeback to me but I couldn't stop myself from fearing na baka habang magkalayo kami, baka nakapag decide na sya na mas gusto nya yung magkalayo na lang kami.

I was able to resist myself for two weeks. Of not visiting her in my in-laws but I can no longer do it. I drove to their house and it was dad Nicholas who welcomed me home.

"What makes you visit, son?" He asked me when we sat down in the living room.

Hindi na ako nagpaliguy-ligoy pa. I directly said that I want to talk to Rhein. Biglang kumunot ang noo ni dad Nicholas.

"Daniela? Why? She's not here." He replied. He look puzzled. It looks like dad really not know what I'm talking about but I'm not sure. What if they're hiding Rhein from me? Sabi ni Daniela dito daw sya tutuloy sa parents nya and I know she wouldn't lie about it.

"Dad, please. Nasan ba sya? Is she in her room?" I asked with my pleading voice. Dad Nicholas didn't reply. Mukhang wala talaga syang maintindihan sa sinasabi ko. Since I have no other choice, I flew to my feet and I started calling my wife's name. "Rhein? Rhein, I know you are here. Let's go home please!"

"Timothy! Why do you keep insisting that my daughter is here? Hindi ba't you're her husband? Bakit dito mo hinahanap si Daniela? What exactly happened?"

"Dad, when was the last time you saw her?"

"What silly question is that, Timothy? Of course when we had a family gathering! Why are you acting like my daughter has gone missing?" There was anger in dad's voice.

I can't believe it. Where did she go?

Mabilis akong tumakbo papunta sa second floor. I heard dad run after me. I checked Daniela's old room at wala sya doon. Wala din ang maleta na dala-dala nya. I thought dad is trying to hide my wife but I found out na wala din silang alam.

"What's happening, Timothy? Where is my daughter? She's not missing, is she? Tell me. Goddamn it!" Dad's English accent seem not to change. But his accent doesn't matter. I need to find Rhein!

"Wala ba talaga dito si Rhein, 'pa? Sabi nya dito daw muna sya for two weeks." I tried asking one more time but the answer I get was the same. "I'm sorry, pa. I have to go. I'll tell you everything later. I'm sorry." Before dad could speak or propose another question, tumakbo na ako pababa at sumakay sa sasakyan.

Dumiretso ako sa hospital. Daig ko pa ang may pamilya na sinugod sa emergency room dahil sa bilis ng takbo ko papasok ng building. I'm familiar to the halls of the hospital kaya alam ko kung saan pwedeng makita si Rhein. When I'm already in the pediatric and ob-gyn department, hinarang ko ang isang nurse na naglalakad lang. I asked her where to find Dr. Daniela Rhein S. Avila pero hindi kilala ng nurse si Rhein.

To make sure na may information akong makukuha, isang doktor na lang ang nilapitan ko. Her tagname says “Dr. Perilla”. She's an aged doctor.

"Yes, mister?" Tanong sa akin ng doktora.

"Do you happen to know Dr. Daniela Rhein Sebastian -Avila? I'm her husband, I just need to meet her. Baka kilala nyo po sya. Where do you think could I find my wife?" Pati ang doktora ay nagtatakang tumingin sa akin.

What is with all the people?! Bakit parang lahat sila walang alam kapag tinatanong ko ang tungkol kay Rhein?

They are wearing puzzled faces after hearing my question! What is fucking wrong with them? I just wanna know where my wife is!