The Night in Tierra Fima | COMPLETED

Kabanata 45

"Lumiere?" Levi called.

I stayed still on the bed. Nakakumot ako, curled up like a baby, wanted to get sleep but my mind was drowning from dark thoughts.

Levi sat on the bed. His touch on my arm, kahit na nakakumot, made my heart a lot heavier.

"Let's talk, baby, please. Huwag ganito," he started. I forced my eyes to remain closed. "I'm sorry. I talked to mom and... ah, fuck it. I'm sorry, baby, please..."

I wanted to shout 'stop saying sorry' but my lips couldn't move. We were silent for a few minutes. I heard my heartbeat crashing. I heard Levi's heavy breathing.

"I'm sorry... I know how exhausted you are but please... if you're tired, then let me be our strength now. Please... we can't give this up," he uttered that made everything in me heavier than ever.

I didn't say a word. I don't know what to say. I just feel empty and not wanting to talk about it. Hindi ngayon. Ayokong magdesisyon ngayon. Sobrang hirap magdesisyon ngayon. Hindi ko kaya.

Maya-maya pa, tumayo na si Levi. When he stood up, the bed felt lighter pero lalong bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. I overheard the door closing and opened my eyes, tears started to fall after the room became empty and dark again; like what I was feeling. I bit my lips to control my emotions and closed my eyes again.

Too tired to think, I drifted to sleep.

Nagising ako nang makarinig ako ng sunod-sunod at malalakas na kalabog sa pinto.

"Mommy, let's eat na po," I heard Ria shouted from outside.

Mariin akong napapikit dahil roon.

I sat up, my head was swirling. Gusto kong maiyak muli sa galit nang maalala ko na naman ang mga sinabi ni Tita Criselda tungkol sa anak ko.

Pinigilan ko ang pag hinga. Every beat of my heart hurts. Pagtayo ay muntik pa akong matumba. Ramdam ko ang pananakit ng hita ko pagtapak sa lapag but I continued walking towards the door. Nang buksan ko iyon ay tumambad sa'kin ang mag-ama ko, nagpabuhat kaagad sa akin si Ria.

"I missed you, mommy," Ria whispered to me kaya niyakap ko ito, ramdam ko ang paninitig sa akin ni Levi.

We went to the living room. I was surprise when I saw his dad and mom, kumpleto na ang lahat sa hapagkainan at mukhang ako na lang talaga ang hinihintay. Nakita ko pa ang saglit na pag tingin ng matalim sa akin ni Tita Criselda.

Tito Saldy is on his way to recovery and we're all glad! Unti-unti na ring bumabalik ang alaala nito ngunit hindi pa rin kasama roon ang inaakala niyang ang asawa niya ay si mama.

"It's not nice to see you, Rae. Pagkatapos ng mga sinabi ko sa'yo ay may gana ka pang sumabay sa amin sa pag kain," Tita Criselda started.