Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

Chapter 38

"Do you feel like doing anything today?" tanong ko kay Riley habang sinusuklay ko ang buhok niya.

"I wanted to go out there and see the world again, but I am sure it is not possible, My," he said as he cast a quick glance my way.

I puckered my lips to stop crying. I just noticed Riley was far behind. Even though he was once an adventurous child, he was unable to travel at this point.

"Bakit kahit kailan ay hindi ako nakarinig ng reklamo sa 'yo? I was just wondering how you constantly obey us without saying anything." Hindi naman sa gusto ko na sinusuway niya kami. Gusto ko lang malaman kung ano ang iniisip niya.

"Because I understand that anything you asked me to do was done for my own benefit."

My own heart was literally falling out of my chest. Kahit ako ay hindi alam kung tama ba ang ginagawa ko sa kanya. I only wanted to keep him safe because I wanted him to survive, even if it meant stealing him the opportunity to truly live.

Napatingin ako sa pinto ng kwarto ni Riley nang bumukas ito at pumasok mula roon si Trip. Given that we had plans today, he took the day off. He smiled the moment he spotted us. I noticed how his eyes sparkled with warmth and love.

"Nasabi mo na?" tanong niya.

Umiling ako. Riley's surgery will take place the day after tomorrow. Pero bukas ay kailangan naming pumunta sa hospital para masuri ang anak namin at makita ang lagay ng puso niya.

I just want to fulfill his wish for the time being.

"Kung sakali mang makalabas ka dito sa bahay, saan mo gustong pumunta?" tanong naman ni Trip.

We watched Riley while he pondered. His eyes were lighting up in wonder, undoubtedly thinking about the places he wanted to explore, and it was just so heartbreaking but also made me ecstatic at the same time.

"Sa beach!" excited niyang sabi. He quickly clutched his chest as though he were sensing something there.

"Calm down, Riley," nag-aalala kong saad.

He smiled and nodded as if he had not experienced pain previously. Nagsisimula na tuloy akong magdalawang-isip kung dapat ba na ipagpatuloy namin ang plano ngayon.

"Gusto mong pumunta tayo ngayon?" Trip suggested, which made Riley's eyes widened in excitement.

"Totoo, daddy?"

At dahil palagi siyang nasa bahay, he was still fascinated by small things. It was as though a seven-year-old soul had been trapped in a thirteen-year-old body. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. He lived throughout his childhood in our home, apart from the influence of other young adults his age. Baby din namin siya kung ituring. And to be completely honest, I prefer that he stay this way.

Although it seemed self-centered, I simply don't want him to be distant from us. Pero alam ko na pagkatapos ng surgery, kailangan ng lumabas ni Riley sa lungga niya at habulin ang mga pagkakataon na hindi niya naabutan.

"Uh-huh," ako ang sumagot. "As long as you promise us not to be extremely delighted or excited. Alam mong makakasama sa iyo 'yon. Additionally, you won't be running or swimming. Uupo lang tayo sa sand at kakain habang tinitingnan ang paligid."

He didn't even let the enthusiasm on his face subside. Mukhang ang importante lang sa kanya ay ang kaalaman na makakapunta na kami sa beach.

Ready na ang mga gamit namin ni Trip dahil kagabi pa namin 'yon inayos. We mainly assisted Riley with his belongings. Ayaw nga sana niya pero nang sinabi kong tutulungan namin siya para mas mapabilis, agad naman siyang sumang-ayon.