LOVE & PROMISES [Editing]

Chapter 38 || Last breath

3 Weeks. Alex have been missing for 3 Weeks... their graduation is just 2 weeks from now but she's still nowhere to be found. Because she's busy catching up with her father. She spent her 3 weeks with talking, playing games with her father and taking care of her father. Literally spending time with her beloved biological father.

Jake and Deanne visits them 2 days week to bring them the supplies they need to survive. Clark visits once a week. Alex's other friends knew she's hiding with her father. They kept in touch with her through social media, checking on her every single day and also talking to their uncle, Alex's father.

It was all good. Maayos at mapayapa ang buhay ng mag-ama sa piling ng isa't isa. Alam nilang kailangan nilang maghiwalay muli dahil hindi basta-basta na iiwan ni Alex ang pamilyang nagpalaki sa kanya. Iyon ang sabi ng kanyang ama.

Huwag niyang iwanan ang kaniyang ina at ang kapatid ng kaniyang tatay na ang anak ay si Xander.

At first, Alex protested and said that she's not going to leave him again but her father convinced her and said that he won't be living that long so she needs her to go back.

"You need to go back. Paano ka kung maiwan kita rito? Promise me that you'll work hard to build your own business and stand on your own so you can leave that house as soon as you graduate.", bilin ng kanyang ama. Naalala niya ang isa niya pang plano sa buhay kung sakaling 'di niya makita ang tatay.

The plan to establish her own business and live independently. Away from the hands of his father's brother, also known as Mr. Clemonte. She will build her own future.

Maayos ang lahat. Minsan ay iniiyak ni Alex ang lungkot na kanyang nararamdaman dahil alam niyang bilang nalang ang linggong makakasama niya ang kanyang ama. Kailangan na niyang bumalik bago pa ang graduation day. That day will also be the day when her father will just be counting the days, hours or even seconds.

When she met him 3 weeks ago, he's already a little beaten up by his illness. He told her about it as soon as he can so she'll be ready. Alex is ready. She thought she's ready.

"I was never ready.", she confesses as she talked to Clark from the other side of the call.

Narinig niya ang pagbuntong-hininga ng kaniyang nobyo. "That's what I also said when mom was bedridden. Pero Alex, kahit anong gawin natin, kailangan nating tanggapin.", malungkot na tugon ni Clark.

With her shaky voice, "Can you atleast visit tonight? I need hugs.", ani ni Alex. Clark found it cute as he chuckles. "Sorry, love. Pinapa-stay kasi ako ngayon ng step-mom ko eh. Bawi ako sayo bukas, hm?", he felt sorry as he heard her sigh.

"Sorry talaga-"
"Okay lang, love. Pakamusta kay Tita Haidee ah. I love you. Sige na, papainumin ko pa ng gamot si Papa.", sagot ni Alex at pinilit ang ngiti.

"Okay.. I love you too.", as soon as she heard his response, she ended the call.

Inilapag niya ang cellphone niya sa lamesa at kinuha ang mga gamot at inumin ng kanyang ama. Pagkatapos ay pumunta siya sa kwarto.

Sumilip siya bago pumasok ng tuluyan. There she saw her father just staring at the ceiling while lying down. His face are getting paler and paler as days go by.

"Pa? It's time to drink your medicine na.", ani niya pagkatapos niyang maibaba sa side table ang mga dala-dala.

Lumingon sa kanya ang tatay niya at ngumiti. He slowly sat up with the help of his loving daughter.

Alex gently helped him drink his medicine. After drinking up, she wiped his mouth as the water he drank leaked as he was drinking.

"Anak, sorry sa abala ha."