It Started in the Library (Completed and Editing)

Chapter 34: Aftermath

"Diosa tahan na," I held her while she cried softly. Hinagod ko ang likod niya, just like the way I used to comfort her when we were kids. Hindi ko kayang umiiyak si Aya.

"Sorry po Kuya Alfred," sobrang maga na yung mga mata niya. I cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears with my thumbs.

"Baby girl wag ka nang umiyak. Ayaw nila kuya na nakikita kang malungkot di ba? Pag nagising si Aidan magagalit yun na umiiyak ka."

"Oo nga Diosa. Tiyak magagalit si Kuya Aidan na iniiyakan mo siya," Adam tucked her hair behind her ear and hugged her. We all looked like hell pero hindi rin namin magawang matulog lalo na't hanggang ngayon ay wala pang balita sa operasyon kay Aidan.

Shit na Brian Tiu yan. I know Ali will make him pay dearly for this. Kilala ko ang kapatid ko. You don't mess with him at all.

I looked at the seat opposite us at pinagmasdan ang babaeng kanina pa rin tahimik na nakatayo doon at naghihintay. Her long red hair is matted with what I think is dried blood at madungis ang kanyang suot na damit mula sa pag-gulong nila ni Aidan sa kalsada. She refused to get treated until maipasok si Aidan sa ICU and the nurses had to literally pry her hand off his kanina para lang maipasok na si Aidan sa loob ng burn unit.

"Red," I called her name and she looked at me. Emotionless or too emotional? The black pools were deep and unfathomable. "Pwede kang umupo."

She just stared at me and then turned her head to look at the vacant seat. Still she did not budge from her position na naka-lean sa wall. I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. Damn, this is exhausting work.

Up until now hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong magbalik-tanaw sa mga nangyari kanina. What could I have done differently para walang nasaktan? Fuck, ako ang kuya nila pero I could just watch as Aidan got hurt with the blast and I couldn't even be there para kay Aya when she was attacked.

At ngayon sumasabay pa 'tong issue with our parents. Kanina nag-pang-abot na naman ang mommy namin at mama nila Aidan. Adam and I had to literally drag the two of them apart. Nabuhay na naman yung mga past issues at I think ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit mabilis nag-init ang ulo ni mommy kanina nang yung mama naman ni Prince ang nakasagutan niya nung sumaglit kami sa Makati Med kung saan naka-confine si Prince. Shit, ayoko nang nagsisinungaling but I had to follow Ali's instructions para hindi kami mahuli sa covert operations na sinalihan namin.

Gahd what a mess.

At alas-singko pa lang ng umaga.

If this was an ordinary day, I'd just be waking up and preparing the menu for the day. That reminds me...

I took out my phone and dialled my sous chef's number. She's probably awake by now too. After two rings Bleu answered.

"Hey, beautiful did I wake you up?"

"No," she answered in a husky voice and I smiled. Sus, halata namang kakagising lang talaga niya.

"I won't be able to open today. Ikaw na muna ang bahala sa kitchen. Soup of the day is Lentil and sausage." I heard her move around. She's probably looking for a pen to write down my instructions, "Baka mamayang gabi na ako dumaan. I'm at the hospital."

"What?! Anong nangyari? Are you alright?" I could hear the panic in her voice. Hay Bleu... panic mode na naman.   

"I'm fine. Yung kapatid ko ang naka-confine," I reassured her.

"Should I bring you some food? Saang hospital kayo?"

"That's great. We're here at St. Lukes BGC. Thanks Bleu."