Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

Chapter 40

"Mommy."

My son beckoned, so I placed the apple down to halt peeling the fruit. Binalingan ko siya ng tingin at nakitang nasa labas ng bintana ang mga mata niya. He was lying in the open, soaking in the high structures and clear sky.

"Yes, love?" sagot ko, pinapanood siyang inaaliw ang sarili sa tanawin.

"I love you."

Saglit na namilog ang mga mata ko. I made an effort to compose myself and smiled widely. Parang nilulukot ang puso ko kahit wala namang masakit sa sinabi niya.

"I love you too, Riley."

I leave the rest of the preparation to Mommy since I want to spend a significant amount of time with him. Tumutulong din naman si Jill at Jaime. Even Trip stopped assisting and instead hung out with us. He decided to go on leave so that he could devote the majority of his time to us.

Napatingin ako sa pinto nang may kumatok doon. Imposible naman na si Trip dahil pumapasok agad 'yon kapag dumadating.

My eyes widened as the door slowly swung to see who was standing behind it. Mabilis akong tumayo at sinugod ng yakap si Keith na nagulat sa ginawa ko.

I really missed him so much! As a professional engineer, he was already residing abroad and excelling at his job. Hindi ko na siya halos mahagilap.

"Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita?" I wiped away a few of the tears that were spilling.

Mahina siyang natawa. "I am sorry. May tinatapos kasi akong project. Ngayon lang nagkaroon ng oras. But as soon as I heard the news, I made travel arrangements." Nilingon niya si Riley na alam kong gusto din tumayo at makisali sa amin, but he was too frail to even twitch.

"Hello, Tito," he mouthed. He must be overjoyed to see Keith. Ninong niya kasi ito at kahit sobrang busy ni Keith, walang palya itong nagbibigay ng regalo sa bawat birthday at Pasko.

"Hello, Riley." My son was resting in the hospital bed when Keith approached him. "You are still attractive even in that hospital gown. Pero mas gwapo ka kapag nakasuot ka ng magandang damit. I'll buy you whatever you want when you're finally healthy."

Kahit nanghihina, nagawang mapakita ni Riley ang gulat sa mukha niya. "T-Totoo po?"

"Yup!" Keith nodded.

Trip arrived shortly after with some supper. Lumabas kasi siya kanina para bumili ng pagkain para sa aming dalawa. He was as astonished as I was to see Keith, but he immediately recovered his calm.

They acknowledged one another's existence by nodding at each other.

"Nakatulog?" Trip questioned and glanced at our son, and he was correct-Riley was sound asleep, as if he had not been anticipating seeing Keith earlier. Madali rin kasi siyang mapagod kaya hindi na pahirapan sa kanya ang makatulog.

"Bukas na ang birthday niya, 'di ba? What about the celebration? Riley, would he be there?" tanong ni Keith. He was about to object when Trip handed him food, but my husband shot him a glare. Napahinga na lang siya ng malalim.

I nodded. "We already have clearance from the doctor to take him out tomorrow. Pero kailangan may nurse na kasama." I beamed at Trip when he offered me my favorite Arroz Caldo. He even unsealed the food container for me. Nabanggit niya kanina na tatanggalin niya ang stress ko. Baka ito ang tinutukoy niya. "Thank you, love."

"Gumagaling naman na siya, 'di ba?" My heart warmed as I realized that Keith, like us, genuinely cared for Riley as he posed the question with a hopeful expression.

"I don't know," I whispered. "Pero ang sabi naman ng doktor ay kailangan lang maging matatag ang immune system ni Riley at may posibilidad na isagawa ang operasyon nang walang mga kailangan harapin na complications. There is still a long way to go, but we are making great progress."