When Heartbeat Stops [COMPLETED]

Chapter 19

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"Happy Birthday Lola!", nagpasabog pa kami ng confetti para daw may effect and it's Dannex's idea. Lola giggled when she saw the party we threw for her. Its her 63th birthday and we made it so special para sa kaniya. We think that it all paid off. Pinaupo namin siya sa ginawang upuan ni Dannex, special chair kung tawagin niya dahil sarili niyang design 'yun and siya rin ang naghanap at bumili ng mga materyales. It's not just a simple chair, may cup holder sa gilid and even a desk type para if ever magbabasa si Lola, hindi na mahihirapan.

We started eating the foods we prepared, si mama and Andeng ang nagluto, kami naman ni Gal ang namalengke while si papa ang nag-asikaso kay Lola before the party. I glance at them, they are so happy and laughing together lalo na si Lola. I will achieve my goal to heal her because I can't imagine our lives without her here. For sure, it'll look empty. Our lives will have a big hole and scars when Lola Wilma will leave pero gagawin ko ang best ko para humaba pa ang buhay niya. I am not God but I will seek Him to guide me and help me heal my Lola.

Its also been a week nang sabihin ko kay Dionne na gusto ko rin siya, he looks so happy and almost jumped that day. We're good, I can say. We're not yet in a courtship level but still our feelings are mutual. May feelings, walang label. I laughed by what I've thought.

"Kumain ka na rito Thasia", papa called me because I am just watching them. I went near them and sat beside Andeng. Kumuha ako ng shanghai at palabok, we enjoyed our food and laugh together. After that, nagayos na rin kami, nagligpit ng mga kalat at nanood sa sala. While we're watching a Thai movie, we heard a doorbell. Si Andeng ang tumayo para pagbuksan kung sino 'yun and nakita namin si Jayna but she's with...Dionne.

Nilapitan ko si Jayna. "Anong ginagawa niyo rito?", I asked them. I took a day-off, actually lahat naman kami rito sa bahay, para nga maging successful ang surprise kay Lola. And I was shocked when I saw Dionne here.

Lumapit si Jayna sa akin para bumulong. "Girl, nagtanong boyfriend mo kung saan bahay mo kaya 'yan, nandito kami", she whispered.

"Anong boyfriend?", Dannex asked, he heard what Jayna said. Napalingon ako kay Dionne and gave him a smile. Hindi na namin pinansin si Dannex dahil inasar na naman siya ni Andeng. Pinaupo ko muna sina Dionne sa couch na katapat ni Gal, Gal was like, looking at them most likely to Dionne. Gosh, don't tell me, he's in a protective mode na naman.

"Oh, may mga bisita pala kayo", mama said when she saw both of them. Tumayo si Dionne at nagbigay-galang kay mama.

"Good afternoon po", he greeted. I saw his hands trembling nang makipaghand-shake siya kay mama. "Nandito po ako para ipagpaalam na...", he was cutted off by mama kasi pinaupo na siya sa couch. Lumabas na rin sina lola at papa, narinig daw kasi nila na may bisita.

"Ano ba sasabihin mo?", Dannex asked kaya kinurot siya ni Andeng dahil nakikialam pa raw. Gosh, kumpleto pa talaga kami 'ah. Ano ba kasing sasabihin nito ni Dionne at kailangan niya pang kausapin sina mama?

"Ah, good afternoon po", bati niya kila papa at lola. Nagmano pa siya kay lola samantalang nakipaghand-shake siya kay papa. He looks so nervous. Ano bang meron? "Gusto ko po sana ipagpaalam kung pwede ako manligaw kay Anasthasia", he said.

Silence was next after that. I coughed even though wala naman akong iniinom na tubig, nasamid na lang ako bigla. Agad kong tiningnan ang ekspresyon nina mama, papa at lola nang marinig nila ang sinabi ni Dionne. I didn't imagine na gagawin niya 'yun.

"Ano ulit?", papa finally asked. "Gusto mo ligawan si Anasthasia?", he added. Why he sound so serious? Parang mas natakot tuloy si Dionne. Tiningnan ko naman ang ekspresyon ng mga pinsan ko at ni Jayna. Dannex is just half serious dahil natatawa siya sa 'di ko alam na dahilan, Andeng stopping herself to smile widely at namumula pa, Gallastian being so dead serious, ganiyan ba talaga kapag lawyer? And Jayna grinning at me.