I Heart Kuya (Completed, 2019)

Chapter 34 - Tom's Incident (September 06, 2018)

Their friend came one by one. Kasama si Lenard na may dala pang malaking bag at tripod. Of course, he came from a shoot but Miala could care less about him. For now.

Jane started sharing about Tom's situation noong marami ng taong nandoon. She has lead them in an open area away from Tom's parents na panay na ang iyak sa oras na 'yun.

"Ano bang nangyari ate?" Even si Jewel na kapatid ni Jane, wala ring alam sa sitwasyon.

"The tumor has spread to the pelvic wall and the abdominal wall. It's already stage IV." Jane calmly said.

"Kaya ba hindi na siya umiinom?" Tanong ni Lenard.

Tumangi si Jane.

Now he's more guilty that he even joked na under the saya si Tom kaya dalawang beses na silang naguusap, pero puro juice lang ang iniinom nito.

"And that's why he didn't enroll..." Miala concludes.

"Yes." Matatag na sabi ni Jane.

"How long have you known?"

"More than a year ago?" Tumango-tango si Jane na parnag inaalala ang lahat. "He was diagnosed 16 months ago. And he didn't want any treatment."

"Why?!" Halos sabay-sabay silang mga kakilala. Gusto nilang lahat kuwestyunin kung bakit parang nagpapakamatay na si Tom kung ayaw nitong magpagamot.

"Please respect his decision please." Doon lang unang naluha si Jane sa harap nila. "It was already too late when we find out. At ayaw nang pahirapan ni Tom ang sarili niya..."

Wala sila lahat nagawa sa tuluyang pag-iyak ni Jane.

"Besides, he didn't want to look bad at our wedding. Hindi ba? Gwapo pa rin naman siya noon." Napasigok na si Jane sa pagkukwento.

Halos humagulgol na rin si Miala. She finally knows why her friends got married this early. It's because of Tom's condition.

"He was given a few years, and he just wants to enjoy it... With his loved ones." Tumingin ito kay Lenard. "Kaya kahit parang imposible, he tried to message you and invite you to our wedding..."

"You could've told me..." Sagot ni Lenard na namumula na rin ang mata.

"At kahit na alam kong ayaw mo. Kahit na alam ko lahat ng pinagdaanan mo and kung ako man ikaw, magagalit din ako kay Tom at Jane eh. But Mia, I just can't reject this request Mia. So, I'm sorry."

"No..." Umiiyak si Mia. Naaalala niya ang panahong nageskandalo siya nang malaman na kasama si Lenard sa kasal nang mabasa niya ito sa invitation. Pinagsisisihan niya na lahat ng ikinilos niya. "It's alright... Wala na sa'kin 'yun."

"Pasensya na kayo guys if I have to call you now. Ngayon pa, na naisugod na si Tommy. His parents didn't know... Kaya baka mahirapan din kayong kausapin sila, but I hope you still talk to them... Pero alalayan niyo lang ha."

Halos hindi lahat sila makapaniwala na may ganitong dinadala si Jane.

Parang nahiya si Miala sa gravity ng mga problema niya. She can only cry and cry. Nagiyakan lahat sila sa kabiglaan ng pangyayari.

Nang uuwi na, Lenard drove Miala home. Parehas pa rin silang shocked sa recent turn out ot events.

"Hey... Stop crying."

"Si Tom..."

"I know..." Pinipigilan lang din ni Lenard na umiyak.

By this time, because of the grave circumstance, pansamantala muna nilang kinalimutan ang mga away sa pagitan nila. A common friend is battling for his life at hindi nila ito kinakaya.