What Destiny Lies for Us (Esperanza Series #1)

Chapter 27

Chapter 27
Acceptance
raeminiscence | #WDLFUwp

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After Pierce left the room, it came to his knowledge that Kuya Ramon, the security guard watching him back in kindergarten, died later that afternoon.

Matagal na pala siyang may sakit sa puso at 'yun ang dahilan kung bakit siya inatake. We didn't know much details except for that. Hindi rin kami masyadong sigurado ni Pierce; I still took it with a grain of salt. 'Yun lang 'yung mga usaping kumalat at nakarating sa'min.

Sa susunod na araw pa kami malilinawan kapag bumisita na kami sa lamay ni Kuya Ramon...

It already was a heavy day for Pierce but I couldn't let him go without telling him what he missed when he left the room. I didn't need to but I had to tell him. He had a right to know what's happening.

He wallowed by the floor's waiting area for hours since the news from the school and from me got to him. Parang hindi ko siya mahawakan o malapitan; he was so delicate and vulnerable. Even Calisha and Astrid reached out to me to know if Pierce was fine but I couldn't give them definite updates.

I left him there so he could take everything in without me distracting him. Kahit si Papa nagtatanong na rin tungkol sa kanya kaya binalitaan ko siya tungkol sa nangyari kay Kuya Ramon. He shared the same sentiment as us though he didn't know him as much as we did. The second Pierce returned to the room, the redness around his eyes convinced me he had a series of epiphanies swimming in his mind.

He viewed the news in a completely different light. Apparently, death hits one differently when they're older and more aware, deprived of the innocence they once had.

"Ate already told me everything, Pa. Hindi mo na kailangang itanggi o itago pa sa'kin. You promise me you'd be healthy and get out of here in good shape."

Papa smiled. "Gagawin ko naman talaga 'yun..."

"I want you to accept the money," he demanded.

Both Papa and I were left dumbfounded. Hindi siya nagsalita simula kanina tapos binigla niya kami nang ganito. Considering those words came from Pierce, it was more surprising than appalling. He could've had all the guts if he wanted to but he wasn't the type to just blurt out bold demands.

Hinimas ko 'yung gitna ng noo ko para mawala 'yung pagkakunot nito. Kaya ko namang pagbalansehin lahat ng iniisip ko pero tuluyan na talaga silang nagpatong-patong ngayong araw.

I couldn't catch a break.

"I already don't have a lot of people in my life, I can't afford to lose more."

Papa looked at me like he tried to elicit some sort of reaction out of me. 'Wag ako! Parehas lang kaming natatanga sa sitwasyon ngayon. I stood up from my seat on the couch but didn't have the urge to walk closer to them. I thought that maybe if I stood up, blood would rush into my brain and give me more strength to interject and talk.

Lumapit sa kanya si Pierce at hinawakan ang kamay niya. Sinubukan ni Papa na umayos ng upo pero hindi na niya kinaya kaya hinayaan na lang niya 'yung pwesto niya. Pierce squeezed his hand tenderly, the warmth of their palms balanced each other out.

"Call me selfish or what but don't die on me and Ate."

"Pierce," he let out a sad laugh, "I won't die from this."

"I know you won't..." he whispered, shaking his downcast head. "Still... I want you to fight knowing you have people in your life worth fighting for."

He stroked Pierce's hair in a languid manner yet he didn't continue entertaining his concerns.