Chapter Twenty-three
" Your mom is already scheduled in the OR tomorrow morning. Why don't you get some rest?" hinawakan ni Athena ang aking balikat habang tinatanaw ko si Mama mula sa sofa'ng kinauupuan. Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Athena at ngumiti.
" Thank you for helping me."
" We're friends. I always got your back, Aly. Kaya magpahinga ka na muna para may lakas ka bukas."
Tumango ako at tumayo na. Lumapit ako kay Mama at hinalikan siya sa noo at nagpaalam. She was already fast asleep as she was required to get some rest and be prepped for the surgery tomorrow. Mabilis silang nakahanap mg heart donor kaya malaking pasasalamat ko iyon.
Nang bumalik kami sa kwarto ay pinagbihis ako ni Athena. I told her I wasn't comfortable with the hospital gown so I needed to change into my comfortable clothes. Hinayaan niya ako sa banyo upang magbihis. I brushed my teeth and applied some cream on my face.
Nang lumabas ako ng banyo ay nakita ko si Athena malapit sa pinto at mukhang may kausap. Based on the way she speaks, it must be Ashton.
" No she can't have visitors anymore Ashton. Magpapahinga si Aly ngayon. Kung gusto mo siyang makausap ay paghirapan mo."
" Athena, you're not being fair!" I heard Ashton replied. Kumunot ang aking noo at napagdesisyonang lumapit na sa kanila dahil ayaw kong magkaroon ng komosyon sa labas ng aking kwarto.
" Athena? Papasukin mo si Ashton." I told her. Lumingon siya sa akin. Her asian eyes widened a fraction and she looked alarmed. Binalingan niya ng masamang tingin si Ashton sa pinto. Pinagsarhan niya ito at muling bumaling sa akin.
" Adam is outside that door." she sighed. Upon the mention of Adam's name my heart started to pump abnormally again. Pinakiramdaman ko ang aking sarili.
I am very much aware that I am still nervous about talking to him again pero kailan ba ang tamang oras? Kapag nanganak na ako?
" Turns out Ashton contacted him and told him about your pregnancy. Should I let him in?" Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay at pinisil iyon. She looked at me worriedly.
" If you don't want to talk to him, he could just wait."
I nibbled on my bottom lip as I contemplated. Nandito nga si Adam. Ito nga siguro ang ibinigay na panahon sa akin para makausap siya hindi lamang sa magiging anak namin pati na rin ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya. I wasn't able to tell him what I feel and I also somehow felt bad that I had to leave him that morning with just a letter. I was filled with confusions that I sorted to just leave him a letter and he didn't deserve it.
" I..." I paused. Tumingin ako kay Athena na naghihintay sa aking desisyon. " I'm going to talk to him. For my peace of mind and...for the baby, I guess."
Ngumiti si Athena. " Whatever your decision is, I'll go with you. Iiwan kita dito at papapasukin ko siya. Please, follow whatever your heart wanted. Kung saan ka sasaya, Aly, iyon ang piliin mo."
Tumango ako. Pinaupo niya ako sa hospital bed bago siya pumunta sa pintuan. She opened the door and welcomed Adam. Natunghayan ko ang pagpasok ng huli at pagbaling ng atensyon nito sa akin.
My heart ached and my breathing hitched upon seeing his face after two weeks. His eyes were a bit dull and the bags under his eyes were a bit dark. Tumigil siya malapit sa pinto at tinitigan lamang ako. Pinagsalikop ko ang aking mga kamay habang nakatitig lamang sa kaniya at hinahanap ang mga salita.
" How are you doing?" basag niya sa katahimikan. He took a step forward but then he hesitated whether he should take further steps.
" I'm fine." tipid akong ngumiti. " You can sit on the couch, Adam."
