Defending Mr. Billionaire (Sandoval Trilogy #1) | COMPLETED

Chapter 91

Atty. Christine Villeza

"It's Room 37." sambit ko sa kanila pagkapasok pa lang namin ng metal hospital. Hindi na kami nagtanong sa front desk at dumiretso agad kami sa elevator. Kaunting lakad lang naman ang layo ng kwarto ni Charisse mula sa elevator at tandang-tanda ko pa 'yon dahil naging kwarto namin 'yon. The moment we entered her room, we immediately got disappointed. "S-She's gone."

"Where is she?" tanong ni Jelsey na hingal na hingal sa likod ko. Kanina pa kasi kami tumatakbo simula pa pagkababa namin galing sa kotse sa parking lot. Severina's beside me, also finding Charisse across the hallway. "Wala na siya dito? Nakaalis agad?" dagdag na tanong ni Jelsey.

"We don't know." sagot ni Severina na aligaga rin.

Nang may dumaang nurse ay agad naming tinanong kung nasaan si Charisse. The nurse took a second to respond and guided us to the elevator. Bumababa kami sa first floor at hindi inaasahan na sa park nito kami dadalhin. That is when we realized that Charisse's sitting alone on the bench near the lamp post. Tahimik itong nakatanaw sa malayo habang suot ang hospital gown niya.

Nagkatinginan kami nina Jelsey at Severina bago tuluyang lumapit kay Charisse.

"The weather must be nice today." Severina said while sitting beside Charisse. Tumabi din ako sa kaliwang bahagi ni Charisse samantalang si Jelsey ay tumabi sa akin. "Though, I think it's about to rain." Severina added.

"It has been a while since I last saw the sky not raining." Charisse said and smiled. Iba na ang ngiti na pinakikita niya ngayon. It was a genuine smile that we knew came from a healed mind and heart. Hinawakan ng magkabila niyang kamay ang mga kamay namin ni Severina. "This felt good. I felt like I was free from the jail that I built myself."

I smiled at her as I was caressing her cold hands. "I missed you, Charisse." I blurted out and started to cry. Si Severina ay napaiyak na rin habang si Jelsey ay sinimulan akong patahanin.

Charisse was slightly laughing at us while she was forcing herself not to cry too. "I missed you too, Christine. I missed you all." Niyakap ako nito ng ilang segundo't sinundan naman ni Severina. Charisse also invited Jelsey for a hug. Pagkatapos ng ilang segundong yakapan ay kumalas na din ako dahil nainitan ako sa mga yakap nila.

"We were madly worried about you for a minute when we didn't find you in your room." Severina said and heaved a heavy sigh. Pinunasan din nito ang kaniyang luha. "We thought that something has happened to you."

"Well, I was just here, sitting and feeling the fresh air before I go out of this hospital." Charisse said and smiled. Napatingin naman ito sa akin tsaka nagtanong. "Anyway, how did you all know that I was discharged an hour ago? I haven't told anyone that yet."

I cleared my throat and heaved a heavy sigh. "Walang nagsabi sa'min. Woman's instinct lang." I answered and discreetly glanced at Severina. The lattter just laughed a bit but still kept her straight face. She must have accepted my idea of hiding who the fuck said that to us. Baka magulo pa ang isip niya. And besides, hindi naman niya kilala si Jeffrey.

"That was weird." natatawang sambit ni Charisse sabay sandal sa kinauupuan niya. Sumandal na rin kaming tatlo nina Severina at Jelsey tapos ay pinagmasdan ang kalangitan na nagsisimula na ulit umaraw.

Glad that the rain didn't start. I don't want our mood to be gloomy just because of the weather.

Nang mapatingin akong muli kay Charisse ay tsaka ko lang nahalata na hindi na normal ang kalagayan ng isang mata. The black of her right eye was now covered with a white strain. She must have seen me staring at it for a little longer so she smiled. "Hindi na 'to gagaling."