Our Real Love by A.B.Castueras (3RD BOOK OF SMITH TRILOGY)

OUR REAL LOVE (THE LAST STEP p.1.1)

"Wag naman. Baka hindi madagdagan sina Sassa niyan," I joked, and then winked at her.

That made her blush. "Baliw nito."

We both laughed after that. Pupuntahan sana namin 'yung kuwarto nung dalawang tulog na nang marinig namin 'yung sunod-sunod na pag-doorbell.

"Ako na." I told her. "Check mo na sila."

"Sige."

Naglakad na 'ko palapit sa pintuan na tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pag-doorbell ng kung sinong nasa labas.

"Sandali!" Tiningnan ko na muna sa intercom kung sino 'yung nasa labas just to make sure. But my protective instinct spiked up nang makita kong si Andrea ang nasa labas ng pintuan with obvious tears in her eyes. "Sht!"

Binuksan ko agad 'yung pintuan saka yumuko to look at her nang mas maayos. And, yes, umiiyak nga siya. Hinawakan niya kaagad ang left arm ko and she tries to pull me.

"T-Titooo.... Ti-tow... Si-Si... D-Daadd-Daddii..." She babbles. Parang hirap siya magsalita but that's least of my concern now. "He's—He's not waking—wakin' up!!! Da-Daddy!! Dad—."

Without waiting for further explanation, kinarga ko na si Andrea at saka literal na tumakbo papunta sa cabin nila. And that was how I saw my brother lying on the floor of their veranda – unconscious.

And that was the time I realized na hindi namin hawak ang sarili naming destiny. The only thing that we have control over is our decisions in life that can either make us or break us in the end.

***********

ADELINE

Hindi ko alam kung gaano kabilis ang oras na lumipas habang nasa taxi ako papunta sa ospital pero I know that that was the longest minutes of my life. To wait for uncertain outcome is the hardest thing for me that moment. Wala akong pakialam kung ano'ng isipin sa 'kin ng driver sa malakas kong paghingi ng sorry at paghiling sa Diyos na iligtas niya si James.

Sorry po. Hindi ko na dapat kinita si Jarret. Sorry po. Iligtas N'yo si James, please! Please! Not for me but for him! For him! He deserves to live! I know you know it, too! Save him!

Parang isa-isang nag-flash sa utak ko ang mga ginawa ni James for me. How can I be so selfish all this time? How can he love someone like me!? I'm not deserving of his love but still, he loved me unconditionally.

When I saw Ryder and Tamara na nakatayo sa tapat ng nakasarang operating room door, I know na hindi pa sinasagot ng Diyos ang dasal ko.

Please! Please, Lord! If you're truly listening to every prayer of your people – save him! He deserves to live! Please, I promise... I'll make this right. I will, I promise!

"Ryder!" I yelled habang patakbo ako sa direction nila. They both turned to me. "H-How's James???"

I looked at him first and then at Tamara.

"What!? Ano'ng sabi!??"

Ryder reached my hand. "Calm down, Ate. He's still inside. We're not really sure kung ano'ng nangyayari sa loob. Halos kararating lang din namin. Let's pray—."

"I DID! I already did but He's not answering my prayers! Oh, gosh—please, no."

Ryder hugged me in an attempt to calm me but I know that I can't do that now without knowing if James is fine or not.

"Be strong, Ate. Andrea needs you to be strong, too."

Andrea... Umalis ako sa pagkakayakap niya. "Where's Andrea???"

It's not Ryder who answered me but Tamara. "She's with Susan. They're in the waiting area."

I know. In her eyes, she's blaming me for what happened. But she knows something I didn't know – again!