Last Summer

26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Running.

It was all I did after all those cloudy thoughts I couldn't bear.

I stopped in the middle of the road and leaned my hands on my knees. Panting. Pinunasan ko ang pawis ko at nagpatuloy sa pagtakbo.

Hindi pa rin matanggal sa utak ko ang mga nangyayari sa'min ni EJ. I wanted to believe that it was just a phase that we'll eventually overcome, but, slowly, my faith is fading. Palagi nalang ganito. At first, I thought it was because of the stress, but, now, I don't think so...

Baka nga sa stress lang.

[ Hi, love! ] Bati niya sa'kin gamit ang skype video chat. He's wearing a black hoodie and his hair is a little bit messy.

"Hi, love. I miss you."

[ I miss you. How are you? I'm sorry about these past few days. Babawi ako.] Right, babawi siya. Pang-ilang salitang 'bawi' na 'yan.

"It's okay, love. You're busy, diba? I understand." The words I said to convince myself that I understand. That I'm fine. When I'm not.

[ EJ! Let's go! ] I heard a woman's voice in EJ's background. Kumunot ang noo ko at nakita ko si Cara! What is she doing there? [ Oh, hi, Gab! ] Kumaway si Cara sa'kin, malapad ang kanyang ngiti.

"Uh, hi!" Pilit kong ngumiti sa kanya.

[ I have to go, love. May pupuntahan kami ni Cara. I love you. ] Pinatay na niya ang tawag at nakatingala lang ako sa laptop ko. I couldn't process everything. How.. When did she got there?

I stood up when I heard a knock on my door.

"Ate, we need to go to the hospital. Now!" Ani Savvy.

I was confused but I still rushed down to go to the hospital. I have no idea what's going on.

I wish I had close my eyes when I got there. I wish I know how to stop the numbness that I am feeling. I wish I was the one laying down there. Sana ako nalang...

"We're operating her as soon as possible." Ani Doctor.

"Will she still l-live?" Nahihirapan akong tinanong 'yun.

"Low chance of survival, ma'am. But, we'll do our very best." Umalis na ang doctor. Hinawakan ko ang buhok ko at napaupo ako sa sahig. It's all coming back again.

My hands are trembling as I wiped the tears falling down through my face. You know what's the worst cry you'll ever make? It's the cry where you don't make any sound but you feel the pain striking up to your chest. You're barely breathing. You're slowly dying inside.

Kahit si Abuela ay may kritikal na kondisyon ngayon, pakiramdam ko akong ang mamamatay. I slowly opened my eyes and grabbed my phone. I'll contact EJ. I need him with me right now.

Gabriella Venice Valentina:

Are you busy?

I waited for a few minutes.

Elijah Fernandez:

Gabbi, sorry. I'm currently finishing our thesis with Cara. She's helping me. Babawi ako. Pangako. I love you.

"Relax, Gabriella. Konting tiis pa. He has his own baggage. 'Wag kanang dumagdag pa." I said to myself as I tried to calm down.

I felt numb. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko. I don't know how to act strong anymore.