Sundered by Time (Manila Series #1)

Chapter 5

Trigger warning: death

Natulog lang ako buong byahe at agad na nawala yung kalasingan ko nang nakita ko yung gate ng bahay. Para bang hindi ako uminom ng sangkatutak na alak. Tumigil ang sasakyan sa driveway sa harap ng itim na gate kung saan makikita ang three storey with 10 bedroom neoclassical house.

I can see the trees at the garden, from the outside, and a glimpse of the glass wall as it seems that all of the lights in the living room are turned on, I guess even the chandelier.

Binuksan ni Kuya Aslan ang gate at dumeretso na si Jacob sa grahe, nauuna na sila Ry na nagparada. Puno ang ang 10 parking space ngayon. Bakit nandito sila?

Not that it's bawal.. it's just unusual.

Nakita kong tumatakbo si Ate Alliah, ang nakakatandang kapatid ni Kuya Aslan, papunta sa amin na may dalawang baso ng tubig. Inabot niya iyon sa amin ni Naha at muntik ko pang mabitawan, mabuti na lang hawak iyon ng kung sino habang umiinom ako. Agad akong bumaba sa kotse na akala mo hindi nahihilo pero ang totoo, gusto ko nang sumuka nang todo. Inayos ko ang sariling damit at inayos din ang paglalakad papasok ng bahay.

The atmosphere is cold, the silence is making me anxious. I looked around the sala, and nobody was there. Nakatingin sa amin si Kuya James at mukhang inaabangan at pagdating namin. The seven of us walked into my grandparents' room.

Nakabukas lang ang pinto and I covered my mouth on what I saw. Tears escaped from my eyes, our parents were crying while our grandmother is hysterical. I went towards her and hugged her. Ayokong ipakita na nahihilo ako at nanghihina kahit alam ko sa sarili na amoy alak ako.

"Mommy, calm down..." I begged.

She looked at me with those eyes that shows betrayal. Why? Bakit ang sakit? Bakit sobrang natatakot ako? I don't want this kind of pain!

"Apo, alam mo ba ito?" She asked.

"Mama ano yun?" is it-

Nate gave her a glass of water but she refused. "Mommy knew about the doctor that quit his job and the clinics are not operating for two weeks. The hospital and its doctors are quitting for some reason. Lumilipat sila sa ibang hospital dahil daw sa sistema dito," she answered.

"Sonia, kumalma ka nga. Naghahanap na sila tignan mo nga, ikaw lang ang natataranta dito," Daddy uttered.

"Paanong hindi, Rey? Isabel apo, ayos ka lang ba? Ako maghahanap ng doctor para makapag-aral ka nang maayos. Huwag mong intindihin ang mga clinic, kami ng Daddy mo ang bahala, ha?"

Another tear escaped and this time, it didn't stop. They really hate to make me feel bothered and worried but that's what they're doing to me right now.

I felt Daddy pulled me a little, he wiped those tears away and hugged me. "Huwag ka nang umiyak. Alam ko naman na magagawan mo ito ng paraan. Ikaw na ang bahala kela Mama mo kapag may nangyari, lagi naming sinasabi ito sayo."

Why all of a sudden?

"Dad.." No, I don't want this!

I became overwrought for a moment as well, I can hardly breathe.

Mommy and her highblood, her heart, and pneumonia. Both of my grandparents and their age... still, I am not ready.

"Anak, 'yong nebulizer ni Isabel pakikuha," ani niya kay Tita Reina and she didn't move, no one did. Ryder looked at his mother then back at me but he avoided my gaze because he's also silently crying.

"Daddy huwag kayong ganiyan, please. I beg you Daddy. Mama, pinacheck up mo na po sila?" I wiped my own tears.

"Kaninang hapon, dalawa sila," she uttered, still looking at them like she can't do anything.