Maybe this TIME

XI. Pain behind Success.

I saw Chris and his family together with Jane his girlfriend, I know they've also been through a lot, mahirap din ang pinagdaanan nila as family bago nakabalik dito. I saw them very happy and they're really enjoying

Suddenly, nag vibrate uli yung phone ko, I got the chance to pick up the call..

At first, no one was talking, it was pure silence

So, I talked first

"Hello, who's this?"

"Sa wakas sinagot mo, It's Khael, I've been calling you for weeks now, super nag-aalala ako na hindi na kita ma contact"

"Khael? Is that really you?

"Yes, I got a chance to call you, by the way, are you still in Sagada?"

"Yes, I'm attending a feast now kaya maingay, can you hear me?"

"Medyo choppy nga, but hearing your voice again is enough for me"

I know any time pwedeng mawala yung connection so gusto kong sulitin yung oras na kausap ko siya.

"Khael, kamusta ka diyan? Are you doing okay?"

"Don't worry about me Aika, okay na okay ako dito, ikaw?"

"Are you sure? can I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"Are going to stay there for a long time? may chance pa ba tayo? Yung tayong dalawa?"

I know it will be a hard question for him but I think I have to ask, malay natin eto na yung huling pag-uusap naming so I didn't hesitate to ask

There was 10 seconds of silence, so I thought he was not ready for that, kaya I changed the topic.

The he suddenly answered

"Can you for me a bit longer? Please I ask of you"

"I can wait forever Khael, like you waited for me"

"It won't be too long, please do remember that I love you, I have and I will, forever"

"I'll wait for you love"

Khael and I talked trough the phone for almost an hour and it was magical, it was full of love.

After a week, we have to return to Manila, go back to our normal lives and continued to seek some opportunity for me.

When everything gets back to their normal places, I continued to strive and learn for my dreams, I didn't give up, not even once.

Until one day, I received a call from one of the divisions of the department, asking me to get my appointment paper as Teacher I permanent position.

After years of waiting, I finally reached my dream, I was hoping my friends and other classmates are now enjoying their hard-earned money also.

At first, I thought having a permanent job can give you everything in life, Happiness, Comfort, Luxury and Stability

Not until I realized, those things will become another dream.

I had to support my siblings' studies, lalong lalo na't nasa private school sila, I give them allowances and buy everything they needed in school to the extent na parang napagdadamutan ko nadin ang sarili ko.

I realized na totoo pala talaga yung kasabihang, more power, more responsibilities, I never complained, in the first place they're my family.

I tried to earn, I always keep the 20% of my salary for future purposes and needs.

Until one day, a very unexpected event happened, it seemed like a nightmare for me and my family.

I was on my way going home at 5:00 PM, habang tinatahak ang daan papuntang bus station, I couldn't find my wallet in my pocket so bumalik ako.

As I was looking into it on the streets, I didn't realize a motorcycle is coming fast towards me

Nakita kong papalapit na siya ng napakabilis pero dahil sa sobrang takot at kaba, I couldn't move my feet, para akong tumigas kung saan ako nakatayo

And there the accident happened....

I don't know what happened after that, I lost my consciousness and wasn't able to breath normally

My mom told me, someone called her and said puntahan daw ako sa hospital.

And there natagpuan panay ang galos, at halos mahimatay daw si mama sa nakita niya.

Ibinigay daw kay mama yung aking bag and ang my phone.

As soon as I gained my consciousness, I can feel the pain, it's killing me, I cannot move a bit, it really hurts all over my body.

I was crying when I saw my mama na super tired and stressed, tears began to fall from my eyes, I was wearing a patient's gown when I tried to get up pero hindi kaya ng aking katawan.

I asked my sister to get my phone, just to check if Khael called or texted me.

There was none.

Gusto ko siyang makausap at marinig ang kanyang comforting voice pero hindi na ata kaya ng katawan ko, pakiramdam ko mamamatay na ako.

Biglang pumasok ang isang nurse sa aking room at may ininject na gamot, after a second bigla akong nakaramdam ng antok.

My mom said, they have to make me sleep kasi lilinisan daw ang mga sugat ko.

As soon as I woke up, my mom revealed something to me....