Unreachable Zacharius

46

Chapter 46

"If Amber wants me to seek for a treatment, then I will. But I want you to know that I am fine now, mom, dad. I will be okay as long as she's here. I am fine now because she's here..." Zacharius said in a monotone, his voice marked with certainty.

Nakagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi upang pigilan ang pagngiti. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nangingilid ang mga luha ko habang ninanamnam ang paghalik niya sa aking buhok. My heart is beating so fast and loud. Parang may kung anong pakiramdam rin sa aking tiyan na hindi ko maipaliwanag.

"Hmm..." Tito Alejandro's eyebrows shot up while eyeing us intently.

Si Tita Leandra ay biglang tumuwid sa pagkakaupo at parang naalerto sa sinabi ng anak.

"Y-You should! I mean, we need to make sure you are really fine, anak. Your case shouldn't be taken lightly. Please, please, seek for medication. I-I know a very professional psychiatrist! Sasamahan kita! Or better yet, sa mansion na muna kayo habang nagpapagaling ka! It's for your own good naman, anak. Please?" natataranta niyang sinabi.

Tito chucked beside her.

"Relax, honey. Parang hindi mo naman kilala ang anak natin. Zacharius handled it for years without our help. Let him control it his way. Stop stressing, please..." Aniya.

Tita Leandra's brows furrowed as she eyed her husband critically. Nagtaas lang ng kilay ang huli at matapang na sinalubong ang titig ang asawa. Tita Leandra seems so offended at what Tito said. Napalunok ako.

"You talk as if you don't care about our son at all, Alejandro!" Pagalit na sinabi ni Tita.

Umawang ang bibig ni Tito Alejandro habang tinititigan ang frustrated na asawa. He then sighed and caressed Tita's elbow.

"I trust Zacharius so much, honey. Kung ayaw niyang pakealaman natin siya ay huwag na—"

"Huh? This is about our son's health, Alejandro! Paanong hindi ako makekealam?" Mariing sinabi ni Tita.

Tito Alejandro sighed. Kita ko ang pagpapasensya sa kaniyang ekspresyon.

"I am anxious about our son's health, too, but honey... I suggest we should really just trust Zacharius on this. Noong nakealam tayo ay lalo lamang lumayo ang loob niya sa atin. Our son is prideful. He will never accept our offer of help..."

Ngumisi si Tito sabay sulyap kay Zach. Ngumuso ako at nagbaba ng tingin. He's right. Zacharius is a man of pride. That's probably why he doesn't want anyone to meddle with his personal problems. Because he is sure he could handle all of it alone and would never need anyone's help.

Hindi dapat ganoon. I want him to understand that he needs to get help from somewhere to heal. Be it a doctor, a professional, or people that are always there to try urge him out of it. Hindi lang ako ang gustong gumaling siya. Nand'yan ang kaniyang mga magulang na nag-aalala at gustung-gusto siyang tulungan.

But how will they help him if he's shutting them down everytime? 

"Fine. Whatever! At least accept the doctor that I will recommend, Zacharius. Nagtatampo na ako sayo, ha!" Humalukipkip si Tita.

Narinig ko ang ginawang pagbuntung-hininga ni Zach.

"Promise me you will accept it!" Dagdag pa ni tita sa mas mariing boses.

"Jesus Christ..." I heard Zacharius mutter under his breath before answering his mother in his low baritone voice. "Yes, mom. Don't worry about me."