Her Dearest Secret (V Series #2) (#Wattys2019) - COMPLETED

XXXIX - Most Special Place

Brent's POV

I immediately collapsed on my bed when I got home from work. So this is how the business world works, huh? Tiring and stressful.

Magta-tatlong araw pa lang yata ako dito but I'm already exhausted. Ang daming kailangan gawin at halos araw-araw yata nagkakaroon ng problema.

I don't think matatagalan ko 'to. Mas gusto ko pang kaharap ang mga plates ko kahit buong araw pa. Siguro naman may maitutulong pa rin ako sa business namin even as an architect, right?

I felt my cellphone vibrate sa bulsa ko. Kinuha ko 'yun agad and saw na si Dad ang tumatawag. Maybe he'll going ask for report again. Fck it. I don't even know kung anong sasabihin ko.

"Hey, Dad." I answered it anyway.

"Brent, anak." Is it just me, or he sounds different? He sounds sad. "I need you to come home."

"Why, Dad? Is there something wrong?" I asked kahit na nakaramdam na ako ng kaba the moment he said those words.

"Brent. . . Your brother. . ." This time I'm already sure that a sob came out from him. "Inatake siya. And his condition is getting worse, anak."

My jaw dropped when I heard what he said. I was speechless. Ano nang mangyayari? I don't want to think like this pero. . .

Is he going to die?

"I'll be home, Dad. I'll take the earliest flight later." Sagot ko sa kanya. I don't know if my words could help but I told him, "Everything will be okay, Dad. Kuya will be okay."

Actually those words are not just for him. It's for me too. Kasi yun na lang din ang gusto kong isipin. That everything will be fine. That my brother will survive.

●●●

After hours of traveling, nakarating na rin ako sa Manila. Mahaba at nakakapagod ang byahe pero hindi ako nakatulog man lang. I was so damn worried. And guilty. Ewan ko ba but I feel like kasalanan ko kung bakit nangyari 'to kay Kuya.

Hindi muna ako nagpahatid sa bahay. I went straight to the hospital instead. Sakto namang nandon si Mom when I entered Kuya's room.

"Mom?" She was sleeping beside Kuya's bed. I held her hand para magising siya.

She opened her eyes at napa-tayo siya when she saw me. "Hi, anak."

She gave me a weak smile bago niya ako niyakap. Mahigpit ang yakap niya sa akin as if she's getting strength from me. I returned that embrace. I know I need some strength too.

"How are you, Mom? Tsaka si Kuya?" Tanong ko sa kanya. "I took the earliest flight when Dad called. Good thing hindi pa fully booked."

She looked at me. "You should've went home muna para sana nakapagpahinga ka."

"I'm fine, Mom." I assured her. "Besides, gusto ko rin talagang dumiretso dito. So what did the doctor said?"

Tumingin siya kay Kuya kaya napatingin din ako sa kanya. He was lying peacefully but even if he's asleep, kitang-kita sa mukha niya kung gaano siya nahihirapan.

"H-Hindi pa siya gumigising since he was brought here, anak." She answered while tears are starting to fall from her eyes again. "I was so scared that night, Brent. The way he clutched his chest while the pain is clearly evident in his face, it scared me."

Tuloy-tuloy ang pag-iyak ni Mom. And I am just like her. I am just as scared of what might happen to my brother. I am scared na mamatay siya. Beacause I know that somehow, I'm at fault. I know how much I've hurt him kaya umabot siya sa ganito.