Whelving Warmth (LAS #1)

21

Whelving Warmth
Chapter 21

"He's going to be fine. Your dad's a strong man."

He tapped my shoulder once again when he noticed me zoning out, "Sadie."

"I-I don't want him to leave me," bigla nalang bumuhos ang luha ko. Bumigay ang tuhod ko at biglang napaupo. "H-Hindi ko kakayanin. He.. He can't die, Ash. He can't leave me!"

Nawala ako sa sarili ko ng makitang bumulagta sa sahig si Daddy. I can't even remember how I was able to arrive here in the hospital.

"Sadie, everything's going to be fine," naramdaman kong nilagay niya ang braso niya sa likod ko. He was carressing my arm to calm me, "Tito won't leave you."

"It's my fault why he's there!" mas lalong lumakas ang iyak ko. I tried to cover my mouth to prevent myself from sobbing but it just won't stop, "I-I'm a bad daughter. I said things... Things that definitely hurt him... Things that probably broke his heart... T-That's why he's here."

"Shh," bulong niya sa akin.

"I'm so.. selfish. Nakita ko na, Ashton! He was hurting! But I... I still continued," hindi ko na halos mamulat ang mata ko sa kakaiyak. Hindi mabura sa isipan ko ang mga pangyayari bago siya nawalan ng malay.

"My dad.. He's holding tightly in his chest.. H-He tried to reach me. Then.. Then he's on the floor!" I exclaimed hysterically.

"It's all my fault!" hinagpis ko.

He hugged me because I was breaking down already. He kept on whispering comforting words in my ear.

Umiling-iling ako, "W-wala namang sakit si Daddy. Bakit.. Bakit nagkaganito?! Ash.." desperado kong tawag sa kanya.

"Shh... It's going to be fine. Your dad will be fine. Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault, Sadie. It's not."

He was wrong. Because it is.

My words... trigger his attack. Daddy don't have any heart condition! The fact that he had a heart attack means it's all because of me. I'm.. I'm the one to blame. It's my fault!

I.. I can't forgive myself when something bad happens to him.

Panay ang hagulgol ko sa braso ni Ashton. Hindi niya na rin alam ang gagawin para mapakalma ako.

"Sariah"

Mas lalong bumagsak ang luha ko ng marinig ang pamilyar na boses. Kusang humiwalay sa akin si Ash. Lumayo siya sa pwesto namin.

Binaba niya ang tuhod niya para makapantay ako, "Baby."

I held my breath when he wiped away my tears with his thumb. "Everything's going to be fine, my love." He planted a kiss on my forehead.

Gustong-gusto ko siya yakapin pero...

"Leave, Theo," hirap kong sabi. "I.. I don't need you here."

My dad.. Naalala ko si daddy. He's on the other side of the wall, fighting for his life. All because of me. All because I fought for us.

Pain registered in his wounded face, "Gusto mo 'kong umalis?"

I pursed my lips. Tumango ako at umiwas ng tingin.

"Dude, pabayaan mo nalang muna siya," narinig kong sabi ni Ash. Nanatili kasi ang tingin ni Theo sa akin. He didn't move in his place.

"Theo, please."

He sighed. May nilabas siyang panyo sa bulsa niya at inabot ito sa akin bago siya umalis.

"Mr. Esquivel will now be transferred to the coronary care unit. He's still under monitoring. The patient is still unstable."