When Everything Falls (De Chaves #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

The cloud of nostalgia enveloped me as we entered the province of La Union. As we wheeled along the highway, I could feel my heart constrict as the lump lodged in my throat. With rapid intakes of breath, my eyes moved from place to place as the car moved forward. In the entire duration the ride, the silence had solidified between us as though there was no way we can wreak havoc it. In the deafening presence of silence, I found the odd comfort on it. My sole purpose why I went back here was my Mother and the chitchat thing with him was unnecessary.

It was 10a.m. when we reached the boarder of La Union and the prickle of anxiety crept through my skin. I didn't know what my reaction would be, nor did I picture the reaction of my Mother in my head. Would I run to her and hug and tell her all the things that she missed the entire time? Or would I ask if she was alright? My head throbbed painfully as I couldn't grope the exact word that I should utter. Siguro ay napansin ni Bellamy iyon at tumingin siya sa akin. I did not look at him, instead, I cocked my head to the side to have a better view outside.

Confusion lined a crease on my forehead as the car pulled to the side of the road. Napatingin ako kay Bellamy at nakita ko ang pagbuntong ng kaniyang hininga. The surge of apprehensive  realization quaked through me as I watched him look at me with an unfathomable eyes. H'wag mong sabihin na totoo ang hinala ko? Na wala talaga si Mama at dito niya ako ibibigay sa mga kasamahan niya. My hand surreptitiously slid into my pocket to get my pepper spray but I halted when I heard the exhausted sigh rumbled out of his mouth.

"I have to tell you something before we proceed to see your mother, Everleigh." He mumbled, the seriousness on his voice made me a bit anxious.

"What is it?"

Another series of sigh rumbled through his lips as he settled his eyes on me. His eyes emitted nothing but sadness. Mas lumakas ang kabog ng aking puso habang hinihintay ang maaaring sasabihin niya.

"After the incident, your Mother suffered from PTSD," he whispered, "when she awake in the hospital, she became hysterical. She's now in a facility, Everleigh."

PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that was triggered by a terrifying event. Halos manginig ang buong katawan ko habang nakikinig sa kaniyang sinasabi. A cold wave washed over the pit of my stomach. As the unshed tears stung the side of my eyes, my lips parted. My lips subconsciously covered my mouth as I listened to him.

I could picture my Mother going hysteric after she learned that I was no longer in our house. As the thought of her being placed in a facility, the tears flowed drastically. My heart was painfully walloping my ribcage as though it will ravage the bone ensconced around itself. I almost lost my breath thinking what my Mother had gone through. I bit the inside of my cheek as I balled my fists, feeling the nails digging painfully in my palm.

"I... I need to see her, Bellamy." I said, my voice was quavering.

He nodded but his eyes were all on me. He leaned forward and his move startled me— he wiped the tears on my cheek using his thumb. His heavy leaded eyes were all on me as if he was so afraid to do something because I looked so fragile, so vulnerable that I would crack any minute. Hindi ko maipagkakailang nanghihina talaga ako. Iniwas ko ang tingin ko kay Bellamy para matanggal ang kamay niya sa aking mukha. I knew that he was just sympathizing but I didn't like how my heart reacts.

"I w-wanna see my Mother..." I spoke. The desperation on my voice was creeping throughout my larynx.

"Yes, love," I saw how he clenched his jaw, "Just stop crying... I don't like seeing you cry."

Seryoso siya noong sinabi niya iyon. Hindi nalang din ako nagreact. I forced to stop the sobs rumbling out of my lips as I diverted my attention to the road. My subconscious hands played with each other as I preempted the tears to flow. Hanggang ngayon ay manghang mangha pa rin ako sa lacrimal glands for doing such fantastic work to produce this pathetic tears.