Brave Hearts (Published Under LIB)

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

MAYBE it was true that once trust was broken, it'll never be the same again. Mahirap ibalik ang tiwala lalo na kapag nasira. I've long accepted the fact that I'd hear them out but after that scene? Wala na sigurong makakapagpabago sa isip ko sa nangyari noon.

I was thankful he taught me how to commute to the hospital at hindi ko na maaabala ang pagkikita nilang dalawa. Maybe they had a date today, nakikipagsiksikan na naman siguro ako.

Pikit ang mata at sapo ko ang mukha ko habang nasa biyahe.

Nawala na sa isip ko pero ngayong nakita kong muli si Yui at Atlas na magkasama ay muling bumalik sa akin ang mga alaala sa Cagayan. She said they were going to get married after studying and now...maybe ay itutuloy nila?

How could I forget that?

You're an idiot, Lia!

They were one of the reasons why we had to go away, why we chose to leave our hometown.

Naalala ko si nanay at ang Dad ni Atlas. How Atlas' mother got hospitalized after she found out about my mother.

I didn't want to be like that. Ayaw kong makasira ng relasyon. Ayokong makapanakit ng ibang tao para sa nasabing pagmamahal na 'to.

Ayoko na ring masaktan, I was afraid to risk my health. I wanted to take care of myself because I had no one but me...marami pa akong pangarap para sa amin ni nanay, ni hindi pa nga ako lisensyadong doktor.

If I invested too much in this wrong love and got hurt in the end, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin.

I don't think my heart–one that I did my best to keep on beating and be brave could take it again.

Mabilis lang ang naging biyahe ko patungo sa ospital. My eyes were bloodshot because of my tears.

When I reached the hospital, I headed immediately to the restroom to fix myself. Kitang-kita ko ang mata ko sa salamin at habang nakatitig sa repleksyon ay bumabalik sa akin ang ang itsura ng batang Lia, on her eighteenth birthday, when the person she wished to come didn't and it left her young heart a small yet long lasting scar.

I remembered how my young self cried in the bathroom, touching her chest so she could breathe. The young Lia who was so fascinated that her longtime crush noticed her and soon told her he liked her too pero sa huli ay laro lang pala.

Lumapit lang pala para maghiganti sa mga bagay na hindi ko rin ginusto at alam.

Naghilamos ako para kahit papaano'y mapagtakpan ang pag-iyak. Pagkatapos kong mag-powder at suklay ay kinuha ko ang phone nang maramdamang nagba-vibrate sa bulsa ko.

Sir Alex (LBG) calling...

My forehead creased. Why is the moving company suddenly calling?

Tumikhim ako at bumuntonghininga bago sagutin.

"Hello—"

"Lia, where are you?" I froze at that familiar voice.

"Sir Alex—"

"Tita Marichu said you went out to see me, nasaan ka na? I'm still here and I can't see you," he rushed out frustratedly.

I swallowed, realizing who this was and he fooled me. Again.

"Are you alright? Nasa ospital ka na ba?" He heaved a sigh. "Lia, are you okay? I'm worried—"

"Nasa ospital na ako, Doc," I managed to say despite my breaking voice.

"What? A-alright." He paused a bit then sighed. "Are you okay? H-hindi mo ako inantay, sabi ko sabay tayo."

"Sorry, Doc," I said stiffly. "I have work to do, kailangan kong mag-ayos ng mga papers ngayon."