Teardrops in Daylight (Salvaje Caballero Series 3)

Cuarenta y Tres

Hers

Sometimes doing the right thing is hard. Madali lang sabihin, mahirap gawin. That is why I admire people who are courageous enough to admit their mistakes, people who speak words that must be heard.

I smiled when the children were doing the paintings. One particular kid caught my attention. She's in the back, just looking at the blank canvas in front of her.

Without thinking a second thought, I walked towards her and sat beside her.

"What's wrong, Lali?" I asked the seven year old little girl wearing her bonnet. With pale lips, her eyebrows are gone due to chemotherapy. She still looked so angelic and pure...and innocent.

She just smiled more and shook her head.

"I...just don't want to mess this up, Teacher." she whispered.

I looked at her blank canvas. "But you haven't started anything yet."

She forced a smile and sighed. "I want to make a very nice painting to show it to my brother." she whispered.

"You need help?" I insisted but she totally refused.

"It....will be my first time seeing him....and he'll visit me later.." she smiled but her eyes twinkled because of excitement.

Kalaunan ay nagsimula na siyang magpainting. I don't know why I felt something wrong seeing her. Dahil sa hindi mapanatag ang loob ko nagtanong ako sa nandoon. Parang kakaiba na kasi ang panghihina niya. Nakakabahala.

"Her cancer....spread out in her bones." said the Doctor.

And I wasn't able to speak at all. Knowing that this beautiful kid doesn't have a big chance to live.

"Lali, what did you paint?"

She smiled and showed me her canvas. She painted a beautiful sky and clouds...just plain sky.

"I painted sky, Teacher." she said softly.

She looked at me and smiled more. "So when my brother misses me when I'm gone, then...he'll just look up there." she explained but my heart broke more.

Nang matapos ay bumalik na sila sa kanilang hospital rooms. May mga nakakauwi din at bumbalik lang kapag nagchechemo.

I should be heading home right now but I don't know why I stayed there. I went to my motor and drove to buy some fruits for Lali.

Nang makabalik ako ulit sa hospital ay nakahiga na siya sa kama at nagbabasa ng libro.

"Teacher!" she said excitedly.

I chuckled and put the fruits in her side table.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"I feel nervous..." she whispered and closed her book, giving me her full attention.

"Teacher can I have favor?" she asked.

I bit my lip and nodded. "Anything, Lali. Anything.." I whispered.

"Can you put colors in my face?" she asked.

"Like....uhm. what is it called?" she laughed.

"Make up." I answered, laughing too.

"Yes Teacher. I want to look pretty when my brother will visit me. Put me some eyebrows, please..." she pleaded.

I smiled and nodded my head. Mabuti ang naglalagay na ako ng mga lipstick at ibang make up sa bag ko.

I didn't put any foundation to her. I started to draw her eyebrow and it breaks my heart when I felt there's no hair growing on it.

Then I put a little blush in her cheeks and light lipstick on her pale and cracky lips.