Rule #1: Rule of Fate

[33]

I suddenly couldn't function well after I heard what he told me.

Nangibabaw ang pag-aalala ko para kay Grazielle. She's just a kid... and she's sick. I waited with him until she was fine and until she could be taken to the hospital room. It was a good thing that I just finished my rounds, so I was able to stay.

"Ate," Maris said and hugged me.

I never saw her after I stayed in their house. She messages me sometimes, but after I had confessed to Gray, we drifted apart.

"Maris, it's nice seeing you again." I told her.

She smiled. I glanced at Grazielle's weak body on the bed. I've noticed how skinny and weak she looked. She's still unconscious, we are just waiting for the doctor to arrive.

"Kailan pa siya ganyan? Kailan pa siya nagkasakit?" tanong ko.

She glanced at Grazielle before sighing. "Since last year Ate. Nakakalungkot nga at hindi na siya nakakagalaw ng dati, ang bilis mapagod. Unti-unti na rin nanghihina. Hindi rin makapasok sa school," naluluha niyang sabi.

Grazielle is around fifteen years old now. It's sad that I used to see her as the cheerful kid, playing around the house, tapos ngayon ganito ang kinahinatnan niya.

"Lia?"

Alam ko na agad kung kanino ang boses na 'yun. Laking gulat ko nung nakita ko si Kale na papasok nung kwarto kasama si Dr. Henares.

"Dr. Dela Fuentes, what are you doing here?" tanong ni Dr. Henares, 'yung head ni Kale.

"I know the child," I answered and looked at Kale who seemed surprised that I'm here.

Dr. Henares just gave me a small nod, and proceeded to check Grazielle. Sumunod lang naman si Kale, hindi na iniintindi kung bakit ako nandito.

I hope he understands that I'm not here for Gray, I'm here for Grazielle.

"She's okay now, but we really have to start with her chemotherapy or else we're gonna lose her," Dr. Henares said.

Umaawang ang labi ni Ate Gracie at nagbabadyang umiyak. Unti-unti naman bumuka ang mga mata ni Grazielle.

"Mama..." she weakly called.

Agad naman hinawakan ni Ate Gracie ang kamay ni Grazielle. She wiped some of her tears, dahil ayaw siguro makita ni Grazielle na makita 'yun.

"Anak, kamusta?" she asked with a smile.

Grazielle just blinked weakly, looking around. When our eyes met, she smiled at me.

"Ate Lia," she greeted. "Hello,"

Ngumiti ako. Napunta naman ang tingin nilang lahat sa akin, pati na rin si Kale na hindi ko mabasa ang nasa isipan.

"Hello, Grazielle." bati ko, sabay ngiti.

Ginala ni Grazielle ang paningin niya sa paligid. Kumunot naman ang noo niya nung mapansin ang mga nakakabit sa kanya.

Nung makita niya naman si Kale ay bahagya siyang nagulat.

"Kuya Kale, ikaw ba 'yan?" she asked, squinting her eyes a little bit.

Tumingin naman si Dr. Henares kay Kale. Siguro, kaya siya nandito dahil ito ang na-assign na pasyente sa kanya. Talagang nagkataon pa na dito si Kale na-assign.

"Yes, it's me. Grazi." he said.

Doon ko lang napagtanto kung gaano ka-close si Kale sa pamilya nila Gray. Kung kilala nga niya ang mga kapatid nito at kilala rin siya nito. Matagal na ba silang ganito?