When Heartbeat Stops [COMPLETED]

Chapter 26

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"Thank you", pasalamat ko kila Jayna at Fe na tinulungan ako sa paga-ayos ng venue para sa birthday ni Dionne. We still have our duty but nag-under time ako para matapos yung designs. Calvin and Karlo will take care of Dionne para di niya mahalata na wala kaming mga babae.

"Support ka namin, girl. Balik na kami sa ospital para mapapunta na namin ang jowakels mo", Jayna said and they both get their bags.

I smiled at them. "Thank you talaga". They nodded as response and umalis na. I looked around the room we rent as a venue, we designed it na para bang makikita namin ni Dionne ang night sky and nag-prepare rin kami ng projector at white screen dahil may video akong hinanda para sa kaniya. I smiled by looking at the polaroid that I've got, I took a photo of Dionne's artwork on his room, kinausap ko si Denise para makapasok ako sa room ng kuya niya at kuhanan ito ng picture.

I did my best to forget my family problems and focus on Dionne's special day. Then, I received a message from Calvin na nandito na raw si Dionne so I grab the cake and wait for him. Pagpasok niya, makikita niya ang mga polaroids na nakasabit, some of the polaroids are our pictures together.

Picture sa Monte Maria, picture sa lugawan ni Aling Becca, picture sa rooftop ng ospital, picture sa ER, picture habang gumagamot ng pasyente, picture habang hawak ang iced coffee and so on.

"Thasia?", I heard Dionne's voice calling my name so inayos ko na ang tayo 'ko. Nakita ko na siyang pumasok at tiningnan ang mga pictures na naka-hang. I saw the happiness in his eyes. Gosh, my man.

"Happy birthday, mahal", I greeted him. I looked up at him and gave him a sweet smile. "Blow the candle na but make a wish first", I told him.

He closed his eyes and speak out his wish. "Let's make it until the end. Let's be together for a lifetime Anasthasia, and that is my wish...and it'll come true", he said straight to my eyes.

"Sabi nila kapag sinabi mo ang wish mo, hindi magkakatotoo...", I said in a low voice.

He smiled. "Trust me, it'll come true", he assured and blew the candle. I put down the cake and embrace him.

"Happy birthday Dionne", I greeted again between our hugs. I felt relaxed and safe in his arms.

"Salamat", he said. We watched the video that I prepared for him and he almost laughed seeing his childhood pictures. I smiled by just seeing his smile and hearing his laughter. God knows how much I love this man.

We watched two movies and ate some popcorn that I bought awhile ago. We danced after watching the movie and kinuha niya pa ang mga polaroid frames.

"Uuwi ko 'to", he said while holding the polaroids. I nodded at him as response. After celebrating his birthday, yung cake na 'di namin naubos ay binigay namin sa mga bata sa kalye. Tuwang-tuwa sila nang matanggap nila yung cake. Binilhan pa sila ni Dionne ng tubig para may panulak rin daw.

"Isa sa best birthday ko 'to, Thasia", he said habang naglalakad na kami. "Sino pala maglilinis ng kwarto kanina?", he asked.

"I called Dannex, full-tank lang katapat 'nun", I replied. Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. Totoo naman, nung una, ayaw pa ni Dannex pumayag pero nung sabi ko na ako magpapa-gas sa kaniya, ang bilis um-oo.

"Hahatid na kita", he said. I nodded and sumakay na kami sa taxi.

"Nasa'n yung car mo?"

"Gamit ni mama, para sa kaniya naman talaga 'yun, 'di ko kailangan ng sasakyan kasi sanay naman ako magcommute pero dahil gusto ni mama na magka-kotse, pinag-ipunan ko talaga", he replied.

I hold his hand. This man is too selfless.

"Thank you ulit, Thasia", he said nang mahatid niya 'ko sa bahay.

I smiled. "It's for you, no need to thank me", I said. He kissed me on my forehead and hinintay na makapasok ako sa bahay. I saw Architect Lorenzo again sitting on the couch of our living room, he stood up when he saw me.

"Good evening, Anasthasia", he greeted. I gave him a small smile.

"Good evening too Architect Lorenzo", I greeted back.

He cleared his throat. Paakyat na sana 'ko nang makita ko si mama na nagluluto ng hapunan. "You can call me tito, Anasthasia", architect said.

I glanced at him. "I prefer calling you architect, Architect Lorenzo", I replied.

"Anak, kumain na tayo", mama said when she saw me.

I shook my head. "Busog pa po ako", I answered.

"Anasthasia..."

I went upstairs, I don't want to ruin my night and I don't want to ruin their night also. I took a bath and did my skincare routine. After that, I lay in my bed and get my med books, pampaantok ko lang.

"Anak...", I stopped reading when I heard a familiar voice. Boses ni papa. Agad akong tumayo at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto. I saw Palm om his arms. I gave them a smile.

"Pasok po kayo", and welcome them in my room. Palm jump on my bed and cuddle with my pillows. I smiled by looking how cute and adorable she is.

"Mabilis lang rin kami. I just want to talk to you", papa said. I looked at him and he is too serious. Umupo kami sa couch para makapagusap.

"Ano po ba 'yun?"

"Sana mapatawad mo ako, anak, sa ginawa 'kong pangiiwan sa inyo ng mama mo. Dahil sa akin, nasira ang pamilya natin", he said, nakayuko siya at humihikbi na. Hindi umiiyak sa harap namin si papa, malakas siya kapag kaharap kami, matapang, pero yung malakas at matapang na papa 'ko, nawala pansamantala.

Akala ko magiging masaya ang natitirang oras ng gabi na 'to.

"Sana maintindihan mo...na hindi na kami magkakabalikan ng mama mo", he said. With that, my heart broke into pieces. Yung natitirang pag-asa ko na magkakabalikan sila, wala na kasi tinuldukan na nila mismo.

"Pa...", that's all I can say...to mutter his name.

"Anasthasia, patawad".

"Nangako kayo sa harap ng Diyos, bakit naman ganito 'Pa?", hirap na hirap na sabi ko. On the other side, naririnig namin ang pagtawa ni Palm.

"Patawarin mo sana ang mama mo, hayaan mo siyang umibig ulit. Anak, hindi na kami pwedeng bumalik sa dati", he said, crying.

Napailing ako. "Hindi niyo naman piniling ibalik yung dati kasi mas pinili niyong umusad at talikuran ang nakaraan", I said. "Tama na po, narinig ko na po ang gusto niyo'ng sabihin". Tumayo ako at pumunta sa higaan ko. Palm looked at me and smiled.

"Take good care of my father, little sister", I told her and she just giggled. Napapikit ako sa sakit. Naramdaman ko na kinuha na ni papa si Palm.

"Patawarin mo ako, anak", he said before closing the door of my room.

I cried. All I can do for now is to cry and let out the pain, at least. The family that I have been living since then, nawala na. Wala na. I cried the hell out of it until I fell asleep.

And even in my dreams, I still felt the pain.

~•~
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