The ER Romance

Chapter 23: The Christmas Gift

D e n n i s e

Ly: Are you really sure na okay ka na?

I can't help but giggle. He's been asking that question since last night, nung sabihin kong babalik na ako at tutulungan ko siya sa ospital. Alvy has been doing double work since I sprained my ankle. Pero ngayon, kaya ko ng maglakad. Ayaw ko rin naman kasi yung wala akong ginagawa eh.

Den: Ilang beses mo na bang tinanong yan?

Ly: You could just stay here. Wala namang masyadong pasyente eh.

Den: Kahit na. Pinadala tayo dito ni boss para tumulong tayo.

4 days na kami dito, and today is the 25th of December. It's Christmas but we still have to go to the hospital.

Ly: But still, mas la—

Den: Ay basta. I'll be working no matter what you tell me.

Wala na siyang magawa. Though there is still some awkwardness between us, since I sprained my ankle, hindi siya umaalis sa tabi ko. He's always checking kung masakit pa rin or kung may kailangan ako.

Den: It's Christmas today...

We're on our way to the hospital then he suddenly stopped walking.

Den: You know why every Christmas, medyo malungkot ako?

He hesitantly asked.

Ly: Why?

Den: Because every Christmas, lagi ko na lang naalala na iniwan mo kami ng walang paalam. I'm always reminded of the day you left us. It was Christmas day back then. And up until now, I'm still wondering why you did that.

He remained silent. Nakatalikod lang siya at di niya ako hinaharap.

Den: I waited... For how many days, weeks, months, and years... I waited... For the past 8 years, I did nothing but hope that someday, you would come back to me with that usual serious look in your face. Then you would tell me why you disappeared, why you left us hanging.

He did not speak. Instead, he just continued walking.

Ly: Let's go. Malelate na tayo.

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December 25, 2006

Den: Vic! Tawagan mo nga si Alvy, di ko siya macontact eh.

Kanina ko pa tinatawagan si Alvy pero di siya sumasagot. Hindi na nga yun marunong magtext back, pati ba naman pag sagot ng tanong di niya magawa. Buti na lang dumating si Vic. Sa bahay kasi ang gathering ng buong pamilya. Sabi ko kay Alvy, punta siya dito kahit mabilis lang. Ibibigay ko lang yung regalo ko sa kaniya. And I want to say something to him...