Affection in the Mats (Girlhood Series#1)

20

"Shit, shit."

Giovanni immediately turned the car to the opposite direction, the way to Bulacan. I bit my lower lip and stomped my feet to lessen the tense I'm currently feeling. I tried calling my mom and dad on messenger but they were not responding. They were still in Europe.

"Asan na tayo?" I asked tensely

"North Edsa na. Malapit na tayo sa NLEX, don't worry," he gave me an assurance smile and held my hand as he drove

The tension I felt lessen when Giovanni held my hand. He kept my hand on his as he continued driving on the way to NLEX. I sighed in relief when we experienced no traffic at all.

"Where's lolo?" I asked Roshaun when we got in Malolos

"He's in his room, resting. He survived, Ethisse." he managed to give me a smile but his eyes still looked sad, "Kaso makina na lang ang bumubuhay sa kanya."

"Shit," I bit my lower lip and looked away

I ran to my lolo's room. I saw him, peacefully sleeping in his room with wires connected in different parts of his body. His personal nurse was sitting beside his hospital bed, looking so sad while staring at my grandfather.

"Kuya Ethan, naka-book na ba kayo ng flight pabalik dito? Sa Clark na kayo bumaba kung hindi pa, para mas malapit sa Bulacan. Okay, okay, ingat." Evan was panicking while talking to the phone, he went to me when he saw me, "Uuwi na sila, Ethisse. Bukas daw ng madaling araw ang dating nila. Dito ka muna, okay?"

I nodded. Evan wrapped his arm around my shoulder as he stared at Lolo Emman. I looked at him, he looked like he just finished crying.

"Si Kuya Ethan at Ate Karlie na lang ang iniintay niya," I couldn't almost hear him because his voice suddenly broke, "Gusto niya na raw magpahinga. Ang sakit sakit sa puso, Ethisse. Ang sakit sakit isipin na 'yung taong malapit sa'yo, iiwan ka na habang buhay."

I hushed him and gave him a hug. Lahat kami rito, malapit kay Lolo Emman. Lahat kami rito, sobrang napasaya niya sa mga kalokohan at jokes niya. Pagdating nina mommy at daddy sa Bulacan kinabukasan, pumunta agad kaming lahat sa kwarto ng lolo. Sinama ko si Giovanni dahil gusto siyang makilala ng lolo. Kahit ito na ang una at huling pagkakataon na makikita niya ito.

"Kumpleto na ba ang lahat?" Lolo Emman said in a painful voice

Everyone was crying except for me. It was very painful for me seeing him like this, but I just could not cry. It felt like the pain numbed my eyes from crying. I felt like I should not cry because they would need someone from the family who is strong enough to console everyone. I felt it was me.

"Tulungan niyo nga ako umupo. Pa-experience lang umupo bago ako mamatay, palagi na lang akong nakahiga." lolo Emman reached his hand for help

Roshaun immediately attended him. He gave Roshaun a smile and patted his head. Roshaun started to cry when Lolo Emman did it. He gave him a small nod and an assurance smile.

"Okay, let's start. Una ko munang kakausapin ay si Maddox at Ezra. Maraming salamat sa inyong dalawa sa pagpapatuloy sa'kin dito at sa pag-aaruga sa'kin. Enjoy-in niyo muna ang pagiging architect at engineer, saka na kayo humanap ng tagapagmana niyo," he held Tito Maddox and Tita Ezra's hands who were both crying, "Kay Karlie at Ethan naman, Karlie, mahal na mahal ka ng anak kong si Ethan. Hindi siya nagmahal ng ibang babae noong nawala ka. Si Ethisse lang talaga. Sana ipa-experience niyo sa apo kong si Ethisse ang pakiramdam ng buo at masaya ang pamilya, matagal niyang pinangarap 'yan."