In a Split Second

Chapter 47

#IASS47

Few hours ago

"You sure about this?" tanong ni Rio

"Yes," tipid kong sagot

Andito padin kami ngayon sa ospital at lumabas kami ni Rio sa kwarto ni Uncle para kausapin siya.

"But I can come, let me help you."

Umiling ako at seryosong tumingin sa kaniya.

"No, I want you to stay here and watch Uncle." sabi ko pero mukhang nagdadalawang-isip pa siya.

Tila nangungusap ang kaniyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa'kin. Bumuntong hininga ako at pumikit ng mariin.

Ilang sandali ay tumingin ako sa kaniya at hinawakan ang dalawa niyang balikat. "Listen, I know you want to help me but this is my fight."

"Besides, hindi natin nasisiguro kung ligtas si Uncle dito kaya kailangan mo siyang bantayan at pati narin si Paulita," paliwanag ko at kinalas ang hawak ko sa kaniya.

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya at umiwas ng tingin. Binaba ko ang tingin ko at nakita kung paano kumuyom ang kamay niya. 

I know it's hard but they're always the one's to protect me but this time, it is my turn to protect them.

Hindi ko alam pero bigla ko nalang siyang niyakap at pumikit ng mariin. "Take care of Uncle," bulong ko at mabilis na kumalas sa kaniya.

Hindi ko na siya tinignan dahil baka magbago pa ang isip ko. Tumalikod ako at nakita agad si Paulita na nakasandal sa pader.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at binigay naman niya sa'kin ang susi ng kotse. Tumingin muna ako doon at dahan-dahang kinuha iyon sa kaniya.

Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa kaniya at nagulat ako noong bigla niya akong niyakap. I was caught off guard and I couldn't move.

"Come back alive, Dominique. We'll wait for you." she whisphered on my ear.

Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko at unti-unting kumalas sa'kin. Pinisil niya ang braso ko hanggang mapunta iyon sa kamay ko. Hindi ko magawang tumingin sa kaniya at isang tango lamang ang binigay ko.

Hindi ko na pinatagal at nilagpasan ko na siya. Nag-simula akong maglakad palayo sa kanila at hindi na lumingon pa.

I will come back.

I will.

****

Kasalukuyan akong nagmamaneho ngayon sa lubak-lubak na daan at puro puno ang kapaligira. Dumidilim na ang gabi at palapit na ako ng palapit sa lokasiyon ni Damien.

There's a lot of things going through my mind but I forced myself to focus on what's now. I don't know what lies ahead but I am ready to face everything. Walang kasiguraduhan kung makakabalik ako ng buhay pero malaki ang rason ko para lumaban at manatiling buhay.

I still remember what my doctor said to me on therapy.

In order to overcome your fears, you must face it.

Those words stuck to me. It was easy for her to say but hard for me to do. It wasn't an easy journey. I was young and coward back then.

I trust people easily. Looking back to those people that I thought would help me, ended being the one's who betrayed me.

But after everything I've gone through, I learned something. I learned that the world will not always be on your favor. It is cruel and if you're weak, wala kang mararating. 

My Uncle also said that I should not let my emotions take over me, that I should think logically if I want to survive. It was more like a battle against myself. It wasn't easy especially in my case but I'm surprised by the results.