Getting Away with Gluttony

Kabanata 54

I've seen her cry even more. My heart hurt seeing her this way. Para siyang batang nawawala doon at inagawan ng candy. I wanted to hug and comfort her.

"While on my way, I met an accident. This time, I wasn't able to dodge off. A truck hit my car, making me unconscious."

I saw her literally dropped her jaw, then putting her hand on her mouth. Shocked was an understatement. She broke down into tears. Emilia went to her, hugged her, and comforted her.

I really have to finish this fast. I told them the details of the accident. Hanggang sa nagkamalay ako sa ospital kung saan nagkakagulo na ang lahat. I'm tired, physically. It was painful. I'm almost giving up. Then suddenly I heard her voice, I don't know if she's in the hospital. Or maybe, it's just my hallucinations.

I heard her telling me not to die yet kasi mamahalin pa daw niya ako. I heard her telling me to fight and stay alive kasi magiging boyfriend pa niya ako.

Silly, gusto kong ngumiti at tumawa that time pero mas dama ko ang pananakit ng buong katawan ko, mula ulo hanggang paa. I can't even open my eyes 'cause I can feel the fresh blood dripping down my face.

Then I lost consciousness, again. Nagising akong muli with Mom and Dad on my side, almost a day after the accident. I told my parents not to tell anyone about it especially Shaza.

"Kaya ako nawala last semester, if you noticed. Without clear reasons. I was there to recover and undergo series of therapy. It was hard. Akala ko, hindi na ako makakalakad ulit." Nilabanan ko ang pagpatak ng mga luha ko. It's over now. Pero dama ko pa din lahat ng sakit. 

But you know what makes me fight. It's my faith. My faith in God. And that He sent me an angel to overcome the battle. It's Shaza. She's always in my dreams, waking me up every day and urging me to stay alive and to win over my struggles.

"Akala ko maswerte lang talaga ako at nakaligtas sa aksidente, twice in a row. Akala ko din maswerte lang ako kaya nakarecover ako within five months. But I was wrong." Humugot ako nang malalim na hininga.

"It is a miracle. A miracle of prayers. I won't be able to survive if it is just luck."
My eyes stung a bit. "Because I found out that someone out there is praying for me, since then. That there are people who interceded for my life and safety."

And before I burst out into tears in front of these people, I finished my speech with croaked voice.

"Prayer works. And a miracle happens." Most of them are already crying. Some students even shouted. Napangiti ako.

"We love you, Sir Matthew!"

"I love you, too." I beamed back na umani ng tilian mula sa audience.

"If you think God has been silent during those moments you're struggling, I prove you wrong. He's working. He never stops working. As long as there's someone who prays, He hears." Muli kong iginala ang paningin sa kabuuan ng gym.

"Thank you for bearing with me. To God be all the glory." After that, bumaba ako sa likod ng stage. Dumaan ako sa gilid at dumiretso kung nasaan siya. I heard the host telling some remarks but I didn't understand it since my mind is filled with concern for her. I pushed back my unshed tears. I have to be strong for her.

Then, the music team started playing a piece of familiar music, making the audience stand and sing along. She can't stop crying. Tumingin sa akin si Emilia to acknowledged my presence at her back. She gave her to me.