cloaked heart

17

CAELUM AND FRANCO are 50% match. The operation went well. 3 araw nang nasa recovery room si Caelum at Franco pero hindi pa gumigising si Caelum.

Franco's mom is here before the operation until now. She slapped me when she gets here 4 days ago. She's very mad at me.

"When Caelum is fully recovered, we will bring him to the Philippines, choice mo na kung sasama ka samin o mananatili ka rito. I don't want you to join our trip tho. Sasamahan ko muna si Caelum dito, Franco wants to talk to you." I gave her a small smile and leave the room.

When I entered Franco's room, I saw him with his eyes closed. "Franco?" I checked on him. Thank God, dahan dahang dumilat ang mata niya. "Nandyan ka na pala." sabi niya. He's not fully recovered kaya medyo nanghihina pa ang katawan niya.

"How's Caelum?" he asked me. "Hindi pa siya nagigising but he's stable." He noded. "Your mom said you want to talk to me? What about it?" nakayuko ako ng sabihin ang mga yon sakanya.

Nagulat ako ng abutin niya ang kamay ko at binuksan iyon at naramdaman kong may nilagay siya roon.

"Hindi ako nagka-roon ng pagkakataobg ibigay sayo yan." Bumaling ang tingin ko sa bagay na nilagay niya sa kamay ko and I was so shocked seeing a ring. It's silver and have stones in it. It's very beautiful.

"What's with this?" I asked and looked at him. "Let's forget everything and start all over again. Please, come with me. Uuwi na tayo." Franco looks sincere as he grab my hand and put the ring in my finger.

"Franco— Celine, please?" a lone tear escaped my eyes. "When I'm still at the operating room. I had a dream, it was you and Caelum. You're both laughing and happy. And it made me realize things."

"You don't deserve a treatment like I did. You cheated on me but it's actually because of me. Trinato kita ng hindi maganda, I'm happy with you but you're not happy with me. I'm enjoying seeing you everyday pero hindi ganoon ang nararamdaman mo. Hindi ko dapat ginawa ang mga bagay na yon. Ako ang nagbigay ng rason para hindi mo ko mahalin pabalik. You cheated because you feel lonely with me. I was so scared. I can't imagine myself without you."

Hindi ko alam ang nararamdaman ko ng makitang lumuluha ang mga mata ni Franco.

"Franco, I'm sorry for what I did. Hindi ko pa kayang magpatawad sa ngayon." tumayo ako at naglakad palabas ng kwarto ni Franco.

"But, I'm keeping this ring." Nakatalikod ako ng sabihin ang nga yon at tuluyan ng lumabas ng silid.

Pabalik na ko ng makita ko ang ina ni Franco sa labas ng kwarto ni Caelum. "Celine, Caelum already opened his eyes. He's looking for you." ngumiti at tumango ako kay Francine at mabilis na pumasok sa loob. "I'm calling a doctor now." At umalis ito sa harapan ko.

"Baby.." I held his hand. "You, okay?" I asked him and caress his cheeks. "M-mommy. An old lady was here. W-who is she?" Mahina ang boses niyang tinanong sakin. "Uh, baby.. She's your grandmother." I got the chance to say it so I did. "And.." Am I going to tell him about Franco? Nakita na niya si Franco pero alam kong hindi pa niya alam ang katotohanan. "And.. Your father helped you." I finally said it.

Caelum stopped for a while and then speak. "When can I see him?" he asked me. Sasagot na sana ako ng may nagsalita sa likudan ko. "Hi, anak?" It was Franco, seeting on a wheelchair with his mom at his back. Bumaling ang tingin ni Caelum sa likuran ko. I cant help but to cry. "Hello po." Binalim ni Caelum ang tingin sakin. I saw his eyes asking for something. "H..He's your father, Caelum." Pinagmasdan ko lang ang mukha ni Caelum na parang medyo nagulat pa sa nga nangyayari. Caelum is a bright child, he can understand it and process it just a moment.