Stonehearts 8: Peridot

Twenty Eight

"I can't wait to see her again, Aiden." I sobbed when the nurse informed me that Doctor Abrera is already signing my discharge papers.

It's been a hell of two weeks not seeing my precious girl. But, I'm also brimming with pride for the fight she's been showing. Kulang sa buwan pero walang komplikasyon. It's her pedia's words, my favorite so far. It only took her five days before she was cleared and ready to go home; leaving me behind.

I caught an infection and Doctor Abrera was reluctant to let me leave the hospital unless she belives it's okay for me to go home. Kaya kahit na masakit at sobrang lungkot na mahiwalay kay Vi, tinatatagan ko ang loob ko. If she's strong enough to conquer the lacking months, then I know I can do it too.

I followed every order, every instructions, with her on my mind every second of day and night. Aiden's taking care of her, we also hired a private nurse for extra helping hands. He would travel four times a day to visit me and would go home everytime with my pumped breastmilk in his hands.

Akala ko hindi na matatapos 'yon. I knew Aiden feels the unerasable ache in my heart. At alam niya ring si Vi lang ang may kakayahang alisin 'yon.

Well, not all anyway.

There were certain moments, I would catch myself thinking about Kiel. Wishing things turned out different for us. He would be here with me, with us. I imagined him craddling our sweet girl in his arms, his lips curving to that soft, loving smile he rarely lets loose.

Oh, how things got complicated. If only I steered my heart away. If only I kept everything independent of each other, it wouldn't be this messed up.

I wouldn't feel guilty of robbing my sweet, precious child of her rights to know her dad. I wouldn't feel like shit knowing that I hid her to him as well.

Would he fight harder, though, if he knew? Would he shackle me tighter to him even though I've resigned to let go? Would he stand taller, firmer even if the wounds Desiree inflicted were seeping with crimson and in pain?

"I know she'll react the same when we get home." Aiden's voice yanked me out of the pool of misery I'm slowly sinking in.

I smiled, tears forming in the corner of my eyes. He looked utterly exhausted. Hair all mussed-up, eyes with deeper grooves, there were lines and crevices on his forehead that I've never seen before.

"You looked beat." I murmured, the guilt adding to the ones already brewing.

He immediately shook his head in contradiction. Of course. This is Aiden, he wouldn't forsake me for anything, which is why I'm hating all the choices I've made that led me here. Vi is the only living, breathing light in this messed up, cruel world we're living in.

"Nothing a little nap couldn't fix." He gently replied. "Promise me you'll take it easy when we get home. Alam kong gusto mo siyang alagaan pero it wouldn't do you both any better kung may mangyayari sa'yo at babalik ka rito."

I chewed on my bottom lip, hating that he's right. There's nothing I want more than to coddle and smother with all the love I've stored for her for so many years.

"Alright." I said, giving in.

"Have you decided if you're going to tell him about Vi? Maybe not now but in the near future?" He asked again. He's been firing this question every now and then. I don't know why he's been persistent on extracting the info from me. There's this strange gleam in his eyes, unfamiliar expression on his face that tells me he knows something that I don't. And that he's never going to give me that detail.