All That I Am

Chapter 6 (2 of 2)

She heard Declan's low chuckle. "Okay, princess, good night."

"Night, night, Uncle. Mwah!" Inabot siya ng anak. "Kiss, Momma, kiss."

Bahagya siyang tumungo para halikan ang noo at pisngi ng anak. "Night, baby. Sweet dreams."

"Night, Momma. Sweet dreams, Momma. Sweet dreams, Uncle Declan."

"Sweet dreams, princess."

Pumikit ang anak at hinilig ang isang pisngi sa kamay nito. Nakapikit na rin si Nanay Elma habang patuloy sa pagtapik sa paslit. Hinimas niya ang ulo ng anak bago dinampot ang tablet.

Declan's lids looked heavy with sleepiness as he stared back at her from the screen. Nakaupo ito sa isang itim na couch at sa likod nito ay isang puting pader. Sa kanan nito ay isang malaking platform bed. 'Yon ang hotel room nito sa Massachusetts. He was talking to them on his laptop on a coffee table.

Basa ang buhok ng lalaki, medyo kumukulot sa dulo, mukhang bagong ligo. He had a bit of scruff darkening his strong jaw, and the corners of his lips were slightly turned up. The material of the dark gray thermal he wore stretched snug over the rigid muscles of his shoulders and muscular chest, and the harsh contours of his brawny arms were outlined through the fabric.

Limang araw na itong nasa Massachusetts, at alam niyang sa limang araw na 'yon, halos wala itong pahinga. The day he arrived in Massachusetts, he just dropped off his luggage in his hotel then went straight to the hospital.

Ito ang nagbabantay sa gabi sa pasyente dahil may alta presyon ang asawa ni Felix na si Honey. Hindi makapagbantay sa gabi ang mga anak ng mag-asawa dahil may mga anak na maliliit pa ang mga ito at nahihirapan ding magpuyat. Declan already hired nurses round the clock for his friend, but he also decided to look after Felix at night to put his friend more at ease.

Pero sa kabila noon, every seven thirty in the evening, which was seven thirty in the morning in Massachusetts, he'd be talking to Anaya, chatting with her baby then telling her a bedtime story.

"You look tired, Declan, you should sleep now."

"Yeah, I'll sleep in bit."

Tahimik niyang binuksan ang pinto ng silid ng anak at tahimik din siyang lumabas.

"Anaya told me about her gift to Lola."

Hindi niya napigilang tumawa. "I'm sorry, I don't know where she got it."

"Is it yours?" Nakangisi ang lalaki.

Umiling siya at maikli uling tumawa. "Honestly. I don't know. It could be Nanay Elma's. We use the same brand."

Declan barked a laugh. "Christ, that's foul, Vera. That's it, it's yours."

Nagkibit balikat siya at itinulak pabukas ang glass sliding doors papuntang veranda. By now, she had developed a modicum of immunity against Declan's smile and laughter. It's not much, though. Madalas, nag-iinit pa rin ang kanyang balat sa tuwing tumatawa at ngumingiti ang lalaki.

Sinalubong siya ng malamig at preskong hangin. Dahil nasa tuktok ng maliit na burol ang bahay, tanaw doon ang malawak na beach. Lumabas siya at umupo sa isang mahabang wicker sectional.

Then, she hesitated, before she asked, "How is Felix?"

Agad pumusyaw ang ngiti sa mga labi ng binata.

"They found another infection in his lungs this morning. It's not looking good. The doctors think he won't last 'till the end of next week."

Sumikip ang kanyang sikmura at dibdib. Everyday, Declan's friend got worse and worst. "I'm so sorry, Declan."