Sa Iyong Ngiti

34

Chapter 34

I felt nothing. It was like I was dying. Kampante na akong magpakamatay para lang sa kaniya. Basta ang mahalaga, ligtas na siya. The whole Zepitome heard the gunshot. Sigurado akong matutunton na nina Kuya Jax ang mensaheng 'yon.

After everything that happened, I missed Ascella, its been a month.

I faced my fears, I left her. Hinarap ko na ang katotohanang 'yon na ang huli naming pagkikita. I left the country to be with my sister and siblings, do'n na ako nagpagaling. She was the one who healed me in New York. I left everyone behind, my Mom, Zion and Ascella.

Akala ko talaga mamamatay na ako nang wala sa oras. But then I woke up with my siblings around me. They were all sleeping because it's already midnight.

Napatingala ako sa kisame. I finally had the chance to live again. Tinignan ko isa isa ang mga kapatid ko, Ate Ana's not here. Baka nagroroam pa siya sa buong ospital.

"Hey," I looked at her. "How are you? Do you need anything?" She asked, she even sat beside the bed to level on my face. Why is she still awake?

Without thinking, I answered, "I need her." Sabay kaming tumawa, "Why are you still awake, Zaya? Matulog ka na."

She chuckled. "Don't worry about me. Take a rest, Kuya Zyde. I'll call Ate Ana." She walked out of the room.

"Thanks, Zendaya."

Minutes after, the door opened and I saw Ate Anaira. She looked so tired but when she saw me looking at her, her eyes brightened. Napatakbo kaagad siya sa akin, she hugged me tight. I suddenly felt her crying, "You made me worried, Zyden! Muntik-muntikan ka nang bawian ng buhay!" She cried.

"Shh.. I'm alive, Ate. Bakit ako mamamatay? Hahayaan ko bang mamayapa ang gwapo kong pagmumukha?" I joked. She laughed harder before standing up beside me. Nakatingala lang ako sa kaniya habang pinupunasan niya ang luha niya.

While looking at her face, I can't help but think of Ascella. She looked like her, a lot.

"O', anong tinitingin-tingin mo diyan? Ano bang pumasok sa utak mo at nabaril ka, ha?!" Masama niya akong tiningnan. I just laughed at her. I can't even remember the whole scene.

"Does Mom know?" I asked.

"No, alam ko namang ayaw mong ipaalam kay Tita," She rolled her eyes. Yeah, right. She called Mom 'Tita', she really isn't my sister. Kinupkop namin si Ate Ana dahil nakita siya ni Daddy na sinasaktan ng mga kalalakihan sa isang eskinita. Pinatumba ni Dad 'yong mga lalaking 'yon and got her out of there. Magmula no'n ay tinuring na namin siyang kapatid, we want her to feel comfortable with us.

Me and Ate Anaira are the closest, mas close ko pa ata siya kaysa sa mga tunay kong kapatid- maliban kay Zion.