The Last Teardrop (TS3)

Chapter 21

I couldn't stop crying when we heard what the doctor said. Noong una hindi nagsi-sink in sa akin lahat pero noong halos magwala si Frankie, doon ko unti-unting naunawaan ang sitwasyon. Gerlie was diagnosed with stage 4 leukemia.

"Shi, please tell me it's just a nightmare." Shirina hugged me tighter when we went out of Gerlie's room. She's still unconscious on her hospital bed.

We were all speechless with that bad news. Dagdagan pa na biglaang umalis si Frankie pagkatapos makausap ang doktor, hindi ko na alam kung ano ang unang iisipin. We're all hurt and all shocked. Sa aming lahat alam kong si Frankie ang pinakaapektado.

I don't want to be pessimistic but knowing that it's already on stage 4, it feared me so much. I'm so scared of what might happen next. I don't know if I could handle all the pain if ever there's worse thing that'd happen to Gerlie.

Pakiramdam ko nawala ako sa direksyon simula ng malaman ang tungkol sa sakit niya. I don't know who to hold on. I just found myself praying desperately inside the hospital's chapel while crying silently.

"Edz", I cried when he sat down beside me.

Shirina had to go home since she needs to duty in the hospital tomorrow. Ako na lang ang naiwan sa hospital kasama ni Edzel. Miah's at home since she's needed by baby Luxienne kaya hindi rin niya magawang magtagal sa hospital. The boys went home too for different reasons. Si Yow, nakausap na kanina sa phone ni Carlton dahil may shooting ito sa Palawan. Si Frankie, hindi namin alam kung nasaan.

"Pray that everything will be okay, Sam. Gerlie needs us now and Frankie as well." He reached for my shoulder and pulled me a little so I could lean on him. "You need to be strong for her, Sam."

"Natatakot ako. Paano kung," I couldn't even finish what I'm going to say. Gusto kong magalit sa sarili ko sa pag-iisip ng mga negatibo. Pero sobrang natatakot ako sa mga posibleng mangyari.

I buried my face on Edzel's shoulder because I couldn't stop myself from crying. Kung anu-anong pumapasok sa isip ko. Mas lumalalim ang sakit at takot na nararamdaman ko.

"Stop thinking negatively, Sam. Gerlie will be fine." Pero bakit kahit sa tono niya hindi ko marinig ang kasiguraduhan? Bakit may pagdududa at takot din doon?

Siguro dahil alam kong lahat kami iisa ang nararamdaman at naiisip. Lahat kami takot sa mga maaaring mangyari. Lahat kami nasasaktan.

"Gagaling siya 'di ba?" My lips trembled while trying to look at Edzel who's trying his best to comfort me. "Edz, gagaling siya 'di ba?"

Edzel took a deep breath before nodding his head.

"Just have faith."

Faith. Dahil sa panahong ito 'yun lang ang kaya naming panghawakan. Pag-asa na sana gumaling si Gerlie. Pagtitiwala na kakayanin niyang labanan ang sakit niya.

"Beb, magpagaling ka ha. Lalaban ka, please." I whispered while holding her hand that whole night. She's sleeping but I couldn't see any peace on her face. Parang kahit doon kita ko ang paghihirap niya.

How was he able to keep everything from us? Bakit hindi niya sinabi?

Hindi ko magawang matulog kaagad. Nakamasid lang ako sa kanya. Pilit sinasabi sa sarili na magiging maayos din ang lahat. I then buried my face on my forearm on her bed. Sinusubukang matulog pero hindi dalawin ng antok.

"Czai, where are you?" I cried silently, afraid that I might wake Gerlie if I cried harder. "Czai, balik ka na please. We need you right now." I sobbed, feeling so alone in this battle.