We Said Never (City Series #3)

Chapter 29

Something stabbed my heart as he spoke. Hindi na daw dapat kami nag-kita.

"Ezra." I sighed and sarcastically laughed. "You think I've been living peacefully?"

Binasa niya ang pang-ibabang labi niya at lumingon sa akin. Tears were already filling up my eyes, but I tried to blink them away.

"These past six years tortured me. It left me wondering what I could have done to make our baby live. It literally left me up at night, wondering why you left. I wanted peace. Believe me, I wanted it more than anything. But no one could understand the pain of losing a child. And no one understands the pain of knowing you'll never have one again." Huminga ako nang malalim.

Mukha siyang gulat sa huli kong sinabi. I looked away and nodded. "When I woke up in that hospital bed, everyone else was so happy. Pero nung kami na lang nung doktor ang natira.. they told me.."

Umiling ako at pumikit. It's been six years. Dapat tanggap ko na 'to, eh.

Pero bakit hindi? Bakit ang sakit pa rin?

Ezra gently held my hand and rubbed his thumb over the back. It was a small gesture, but it felt comforting.

"When you came back, I kept praying to God for some peace between us. For some answers." Pinunasan ko kaagad ang tumulong luha ko. "Everything's coming out, Ez. And I just need you to not give up on this again. Don't just leave again. Kahit hindi para sa akin."

Hinalikan ni Ezra ang kamay ko at tumingin sa malayo. Nagbuntong hininga siya at bahagya akong hinila para mapalapit sa kaniya.

I rested my head on his shoulder as my tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

Alam ko namang mahirap rin para sa kaniya. Nawalan rin siya.

"Para sa'yo mga ginagawa ko, Ena." His voice was soft and comforting. "Through all of my prayers.. hindi ka nawala doon. Hindi rin siya nawala."

I knew exactly who he was referring to. Our.. child. My small bump from six years ago.

"We're gonna be okay. I'm not leaving." He sighed.

We sat there in the silence of my tears as the sun fully set. Nang may dumaplis ambon sa noo ko ay tumayo na rin kami ni Ezra para makapasok sa loob.

Dumiretso agad ako sa dining area kung nasaan si Zach. He and Jolo were both preparing the food on the table. Mukhang handa na rin ang dinner ngayong gabi.

I sat at my usual spot beside Zach, and Ezra sat on his usual spot as well. Binigyan ako ng mabilis na ngiti ni Zach at umupo agad sa tabi ko.

"Sina Apollo?" Tanong ni Ezra kay Jolo.

"Ay, gov, nasa garahe po ata. Tawagin ko!" Ngumisi si Jolo at agad na lumabas, which left me with the two men who look like they're ready to stab each other.

Tumikhim si Zach. "I called some Beta guys."

Ezra placed his folded arms on the table, which made me look at his tattoo on his right arm. Lumunok ako at tumingin kay Zach.

"Bakit?" tanong ni Ezra.

"You're going to need people." Zach answered calmly.

"Hindi ko kailangan ang tulong ng Beta." Ezra scratched the back of his forehead. "Who even gave you the right to decide these kinds of things—"

"Guys," madiin kong saad.

"A simple thank you would be nice." Sumandal si Zach sa upuan niya at humalukipkip. "Your pride won't get you anywhere. Ni hindi nga tayo mapapadpad na sitwasyon na 'to kung nakinig ka lang—"

Tumayo si Ezra, kaya naman napatalon ako ng onti. Tumayo na rin si Zach habang nakatingin kay Ezra.

"Guys, seriously?" Umiling ako. "Para kayong high school. Umupo na nga kayo."

"You know what? You've been nothing but bad for Ena." Zach scoffed. "Ang yabang yabang mo. When the truth of the matter is, sarili mo lang iniisip mo."

Lumapit sa kaniya si Ezra habanag naka-kalam ang kamao, pigil na pigil na suntukin si Zach.

"Tumigil na nga kayo!" Tumayo na rin ako.

"Watch what you're saying, Alverez."

"Totoo naman. She was doing good before you came back—"

Bago pa matuloy ni Zach ang sinasabi niya ay sinuntok na agad siya ni Ezra sa pisngi. I tried to get in their way, but Zach headed for Ezra's face, as well. Napahiga si Ezra sa sahig ng foyer, at hindi pa nakuntento si Zach doon. He tried to give another punch, but Ezra lunged at him which made Zach fall to the ground as well.

"Tumigil na kayo!" sigaw ko sa dalawa.

"Kapal ng mukha mong bumalik!" Suntok ni Zach kay Ezra. "Wala ka noon! Wala ka nung umiiyak siya sa sahig, hindi alam kung nasaan ka! Hindi maka-salita, hindi maka-kain! Hindi mo nakita yung hirap niya!"

I could see tears filling up Zach's eyes as Ezra readied his hand to punch him. May dugo na sa pisngi ni Zach, at duguan na ang mga kamao nilang dalawa. Ezra also had blood on his now busted lip.

Sakto, pumasok na sina Kai sa loob ng bahay kaya naman agad nilang pinigilan si Ezra. Chino pulled Ezra away, and Kai pulled Zach away.

Napadpad ang mata ko sa cellphone kong biglang tumunog. I immediately answered it once I saw Lia's name.

"Ena.. where are you?"

"Uh.." Pumikit ako at umiling. This is not the right time, Lia! "Can I call you back, el?"

Rinig ko ang hikbi niya sa kabilang dulo ng tawag. "S-sina.. Raffy at Claude." She cried. "They got into an accident."

Parang nahulog ang puso ko nang marinig ko 'yon. Raffy?

No. No! She's.. pregnant!

"Nasaan siya?"

"Nasa BGH. I already called Vale. Nasa Manila pa sila ni Natalia. If you need a ride, pwede kang sumabay kay Vale.."

"No, I'm here. I'm in Baguio."

"What? I—"

"Papunta na ako. I'll go to BGH right now."

I ended the call and looked over at Ezra and Zach who were sitting down. Hindi ko napigilan ang iyak ko, pero malamig ko silang tinignan.

"Kung tapos na kayo," malamig kong salita. "Raffy and Claude are at BGH. I need a ride."

"Huh?" kunot noong tanong ni Ezra.

Lumunok ako. I almost forgot. It's his brother we're talking about.

"T-they got into an accident." I sighed. "Can we please just go?"

"Go," ani Chino. "Tatawag na rin kami ng mga Alpha boys. Sunod sila."

"Some Beta guys will arrive later. Yung iba galing pa sa Manila kaya baka bukas pa makarating," ani Zach.

Tumango si Chino. "Thanks, Zach.. we need all the help we can get."

Jolo handed Zach an ice pack. Tinanggap naman 'yon ni Zach.

"Kaya mo bang mag-drive?" I asked Ezra who was refusing the ice pack from Kai. Tumayo siya at tumango.

"Tara na."

Binalingan ko si Zach na ngayon ay nakatingin sa akin. I felt like I was betraying him by going with Ezra.. but Raffy's one of my best friends. Claude is his brother. We have to be there.

Walang imik si Ezra na lumabas. Tahimik lang ang lahat, kaya naman tumikhim ako at tumango.

"Una muna kami." I broke the silence.

They all muttered 'ingat' and 'take care' in order to ease the tension, but Zach remained silent. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nakokonsenya na umalis at iwan siya, especially after that fight that they just had..

But I do know that I have to go.