**********
Kath opened her eyes to that familiar smell. A smell she knew too well. And she was surprised to open her eyes to a face. She never expected it.
'Kumusta ka na?' Gabby asked, a hand on her cheek.
'Si DJ?' Tanong nito habang sinusubukang umupo sa kama.
'Don't.' Suway ni Gabby. 'Sabi ni Doc, you have to take a good rest.'
'Gabby, please.. Tawagin mo na lang ang asawa ko.'
'I'm sorry.'
Mas lalong ikinabigla ni Kathryn ang narinig.
'I'm sorry.' Gabby repeated. 'Aaminin ko, I was envious of what you have. I wanted to have them too. Nung mga bata pa tayo, when we were pitted against each other, noon pa man, naiinggit na ako sa kung anong meron ka. You were your family's princess. You were the most in demand. Me? From a broken family, always the second best. Pag wala ka, dun lang ako papasok sa picture.'
'Hindi ko hiningi lahat ng yun, Gabby. It's not my fault that you grew up from a broken family.'
'But being around you was like being slapped by reality. Habang nakikita ko kung gaano ka kasaya, mas lalo kong nararamdaman na I'm living a miserable life. When you left the station, I was happy. Kasi ako na yung main attraction. I never thought our names will still be up and against each other again. Then you got pregnant, you had a child. You have a boyfriend who married you. Who never left you. Me? I was being left alone by guys whom I give everything.'
'Again, not my fault.' Kath said weakly. 'You're stressing me Gabby. Please... Pakitawag na lang ang asawa ko.' Maybe due to stress and fatigue, her eyes gave out instant tears.
'Putang ina! Ano na namang ginagawa mo dito?!'
The two women were startled upon hearing a booming voice from the door. Agad itong tumakbo sa kama ni Kath at niyakap ito. She clutched into him for dear life.
'I'm sorry.' Iyak ni Gabby. 'Hindi ko alam aabot sa ganito. I'm so sorry.'
'Umalis ka na kung ayaw mong hilahin kita palabas ng kwartong 'to.' Babala ni DJ.
'I'm so sorry. Please give me another chance. I came here as a friend.'
'Friend?!' Kunot noong tanong ni DJ. 'Muntik nang mamatay ang asawa at anak ko dahil sa kagagawan mo. Tapos friend?'
'DJ tama na.' Kath sobbed. 'Gabby please, umalis ka na.' She pleaded with her face still buried in DJ's upper torso.
'Umalis ka na please. Kung ayaw mong tumawag ako ng pulis. Tatawag talaga ako ng pulis!'
Wala nang ibang nagawa si Gabby kung hindi ang umalis na lamang habang umiiyak.
Mas lalo namang lumakas ang hagulgol ni Kathryn habang mas humigpit ang yakap sa kanya ni DJ na paulit-ulit naman ang pagsasabing hinding hindi sya nito iiwanan.
********
'Kaibigan, just to let everyone know, kaninang 3:48 PM, Kathryn Bernardo- Ford gave birth to her second baby with Daniel Padilla.' Boy Abunda announced in The Buzz 2 months later.
'Nanganak na? Ang bilis ha?' Komento ni Kris. Halata sa boses ang pagkabigla nito. 'What?' She mouthed to the crew on the side. Her mouth then suddenly formed an O. 'Wala namang sinasabi yung dalawang bata.' She whispered to Boy.
'Pre-mature.' He said shortly. '7 months.'
Kris had to clap both of her hands on her mouth, disappointment and sadness obvious on her facial expression.
'Ok naman si Kath and yung baby?' She asked.
'The baby is currently in ICU while Kathryn is recuperating. I texted Karla and this is what she texted.' Boy looked at the screen of his cellphone and reads.
'Medyo okay na si Kath. Nagpapalakas na lang. The baby is medyo maliit kasi nga short of 2 months. Nasa incubator sya and they're running tests pa to know if walang problema sa internal organs. Right now, Baby Daniel John II could do well with your prayers. Maraming Salamat po Tito Boy.'
'Yan po ang text ng mama ni Daniel. She's asking for prayers for Baby DJ II.' Boy finished.
A picture flashed on the screen. The one which Karla posted on her Instagram account.
PHOTO: A single finger being held by a small hand.
@carlaford1121 Our little fighter: Baby DJ II, holding on to his Tatay while Nanay is on her way to recovery.
'Awww...' Kris can't help but tear up once she saw the picture. 'Fight Baby DJ II. I'll see you later.' She said, dabbing tissue on her eyes.
'Yeah, after this, pupuntahan natin sila.'
'Hindi pwedeng hindi Boy! Inaanak natin sa kasal sina Kath and DJ!' And even if she's tearing up, the signature Kris Aquino laugh was still there.
'The Bernardo- Ford family is asking for your prayers for Baby DJ II. Please, please.. It won't take a lot of your time. An angel needs our prayers.' Boy lastly said before they cut into commercial break.
**********
Kung kanina ay kamay ng kanyang 'The Second' ang hawak nya, ngayon naman ay kamay ng asawa ang pisil pisil nya. Nakapikit pa rin ang mata nito, bakas sa mukha ang matinding pagod sa pagle-labor.
'Hinding hindi na kita sasaktan. Promise ko 'yan.' Bulong ni DJ bago hinalikan ang kamay ni Kath. 'Mahal na mahal kita. Maraming maraming salamat.'
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#PushAwardsKathNiels 💐