Platonic Hearts (Compass Series #1)

Chapter Thirty-five

Sacrifices

"Aria..."

Tumalikod na ako mula kay Rhysand. I clutched my head when my vision started to spin. I tried my best to hold onto something so I could walk properly away from him.

"Aria... I'm sorry," he whispered from behind. "I promise I'll get us through this. Aayusin ko... Aayusin ko ang lahat. I'll take care of the baby... I'll work hard f-for us... Ako ang kakausap sa mga pamilya natin. Aria, just don't leave please?"

I shook my head. "Ano sa tingin mo ang sasabihin nila? Sa ating dalawa, mas malaki ang magiging galit nila sakin, Rhy. Dahil ako ang babae... Dahil ako lang naman ang nakitira sa apartment mo..." I faintly laughed. "It's no use. They won't help us anyway."

"My parents will. Kailangan lang nating ipaliwanag sa kanila--"

"No, Rhysand. They will support you. Not me." I muttered firmly. "Ayokong dumating sa punto na aakuin ng mga magulang mo ang anak ko. Or maybe they'll do worse,"

"They won't do that..." he said that he almost sounded like pleading. "They will take care of the baby..."

"You don't get to tell me what they are capable of doing. Of all people Rhysand, I know what it was like to be mistreated and hated. Walang may gusto sa batang magiging dahilan ng kahihiyan..." Sambit ko. "So, please... Don't make me do something I don't want to do."

Nagpatuloy sa pag-ikot ang paningin ko.

"Aria?"

Kusang bumigay ang katawan ko. I felt his arms around me in an instant. He sat me down on the chair and kneeled in front of me. Marahan niyang hinawakan ang mga pisngi ko. "Aria? Do you need anything?"

"Naaantok ako..."

"Gusto mo bang dalhin kita sa kwarto mo?"

Napatango ako. "Leren... Si Leren at si mama niya. I... I don't know what to do, Rhy. I don't know where to start with this..." I eyed my stomach. Mabilis kong binawi ang tingin ko roon at sinapo ang noo ko. My head's now spinning. It really hurts...

Rhysand carried me so easily at one grab. Agad siyang naglakad paakyat sa hagdan. Tuluyan na akong natangay ng antok sa braso niya. Naramdaman ko ang paglapag niya sakin sa higaan ko pero hindi ko na nagawang magmulat pa. I'm just so tired... Too tired of everything...

"Anong nangyari?" I heard Leren's mother asked. "She looks paler now..."

"She... collapsed," Rhysand answered with his breathing raced.

"She's stressed out, isn't she?" Boses ni Leren.

Naramdaman ko ang dalawang pares ng mga kamay na sinasapo ang mukha ko. My consciousness didn't last longer after that. Her hand started to brush my hair which made me feel more restful.

"Yes, she is. She needs antibiotics--"

The last thing I remember was Rhysand's hand on mine before I completely lost it. A part of me hoped to not wake up again, but I thought of my child and Rhysand. And before I even knew it, I was already dreaming of them. Chances and new beginnings just like Leren's mother said... With the two of them, I would have a family again.

--

Nagising nang namumugto ang mga mata. Something hurt in my wrist that I immediately noticed. Napatingin ako sa kamay ko at doon nalang nakita ang maliit na tube na nakaangot sa kamay ko. Sinundan ko iyon ng tingin at nakita ang bag ng dextrose sa uluhan ko. I sighed and tried to get up.

May kamay na agad na humila lang sakin pabalik. I look at the person sitting next to my bed. The moonbeam reflecting on his face as leaned down to me. Kagaya ko ay bakas rin ang pagod sa kanyang mga mata... But what surprised me more was his tears.