UPDATE (23)
Narrator's Point of View:
"What the hell are you doing?!" Marahas na tulak ni D.O kay Sabrina palayo sa kanya nang ma-realize niya kung ano 'yung ginawa ni Sabrina sa kanya.
He was stunned. Damn, he really is.
Hindi niya in-expect na hahalikan siya ni Sabrina. Maayos naman ang usapan nila na titigil na si Sabrina sa paghahabol sa kanya, mahal niya na si JC. 'Yung relasyon nila ni Sabrina ay matagal nang tapos. Matagal na, tatlo nang nakakaraan 'yun.
Mariing kinagat ni Sabrina ang labi niya, para pigilan ang pagtulo nang mga luha niya na kanina pang handang handang tumulo. "Darius... I think I can't do this..." Sabrina helplessly uttered, stopping herself to cry. Maisip niya lang na mawawalay sa kanya si Darius, hindi niya na maatim.
Darius sighed, he really don't like making girls cry- but he have to. "Megan, I know you can. This is just a little favor." He coldly said, but deep inside he was caring for Sabrina, she was his first love after all. But that love faded, three years ago.
Hindi na napigilan ni Sabrina ang lumuha, she was emotionally and mentally hurt, she cupped her pretty face with her bare hands. Darius wants her out of his life, who wouldn't be hurt if the person you love wants you out of his/her life? That's an unevitable and unbearable pain.
Darius sighed again, niyakap niya si Sabrina- his way to comfort her. "I'm sorryー AHHHH!!!" Bigla na namang umatake ang pananakit ng ulo ni Darius kaya napaluhod sya habang hawak-hawak ng dalawang kamay ang ulo niya.
Parang umurong naman ang luha ni Sabrina at agad na lumapit sa kanya, "D.O, what's happening?!" Natatarantang sabi nya habang hindi niya malaman ang una niyang gagawin, aalalayan ba si D.O o hihingi nang tulong.
Dalawang minuto na mula n'ung sumakit ang ulo ni Darius pero hindi pa rin humuhupa tulad ng nakasanayan niyang panandaliang pananakit nito, si Sabrina naman ay kanina pa tinatawagan ang pinakamalapit na hospital hanggang sa dumating na si Kaizer.
"I TOLD YOU GUYS TO JUST TALK QUICKLY!!!" Bungad ni Kaizer at agad na binuhat si Darius na parang bigas, nakiusap kasi si Sabrina kay Kaizer na kakausapin niya si Darius kahit sandali lang (but, other than that alam nating lahat hindi lang 'yun ang intensyon nya). Agad na dinala ni Kaizer si D.O papunta sa cabin nila at pinainom nang pain reliever nito, this time tatlong tableta ang pinainom niya dahil hindi na tumatalab kay D.O ang isang tableta na karaniwan na iniinom niya.
"W-Where's J-Jade?" He managed to ask, kahit kakagaling lang niya sa pananakit na naman ng ulo.
Tumikhim si Kaizer, "I think she's still in the club." Malamyang tugon nito, it's not that he doesn't want Jade for his friend, naiinis lang siya kasi imbes na si Jade ang umaasikaso kay D.O eh sya pa, hindi naman sa nagrereklamo siya but he really wants Jade to know D.O's helpless situation.
Two years ago since they found out that Darius has a serious diseaseー which is Brain Cancer.
Yup, Darius is painfully ill. Kaya nga bigla-bigla na lang siya nawawala simula n'ung magkakilala sila, pabalik-balik siya sa hospital para magpa-check up. Well, at first, akala niya simpleng migraine lang pero n'ung nagtagal na ang palaging pananakit ng ulo niya kinailangan niya nang magpa-CT Scan para malaman kung bakit gan'un na lang kadalas ang pananakit niyon.
D.O is perfectly healthy when he was still in his high school, kaya siguro nakakagulat talaga ang balitang may sakit siya at gan'un pa talaga.
It was already two in the morning n'ung biglang naalimpungatan si Kaizer, and he saw his friend lying on the floor. Kaizer know that this time will come, kaya agad niyang binitbit si Darius papasok ng automobile para i-deretso ito sa hospital. He don't want his friend to die on his own hands, and he don't want that to happen too. Not this time.
They left the resort without giving his teammates a notice.
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One week na mula n'ung ilipat si Darius sa St. Luke's Hospital pero wala pa rin itong malay. Sabi naman nang doktor ay wala na siya sa kritikal na kondisyon pero kailangan pa ring maghintay at obserbahan siya, because we really don't know what might happen next.
Si Chase ang naka-assign na magbantay kay Darius ngayon.
Well, Darius is peacefully sleeping for more than 168 hours. Hindi naman daw siya in coma pero his brain wants to take rest 'ata. Lol
Nag-gigitara si Chase nang biglang may pumasok na Nurse sa kwarto na may dalang basin.
"Medicines, sir." Sabi nito, siguro kasi naiilang sa kakaibang titig sa kanya ni Chase.
Chase shrugged his shoulders but he didn't take his stares away from the nurse. Para kasing may inaalala siya pero hindi niya masabi kung ano 'yun.
Chase' phone rang.
He slid up his phone from his pants' pocket, "Sebastian." He irritatedly uttered and unconsciously rolled his eyes.
But, he picked it up.
"What?" Bungad niya rito, panigurado ay magtatanong na naman ito tungkol sa kundisyon ni D.O, hindi kasi siya pwedeng magbantay rito dahil he's literally a busy person. He is the Captain of the team and as well as the Student Supreme Government President.
He heard Sev hissed from the other line, "Is he awake?" Chase rolled his eyes again, well, this is Sev's nth call and he asked that for nth time too.
"No, still no response." He answered back. Still looking at the Nurse.
"Is it bad?" Sev is worried, well, everyone is worried about Darius.
Chase unconsciously shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know but, I'm just thinking that thought in a positive way. D.O's gonna be alright." He said, staring at the Nurse who attended for checking Darius' vital signs.
But before Sev ended the call, Chase remembered asking something. "Sebastian, I haven't seen Jade here in the hospital, I think she's also responsible to take care of Darius." He stated, ngayon nya lang kasi naalala na hindi pa nga pala nya nakikita si Jade since n'ung na-confine si D.O sa hospital.
"I haven't see her around. Since that hospital is where she work... why don't you ask her co-nurses or the other staffs there? Okay? Use your head once, please. I will end the call now, I'm busy. Bye!" And there, the call went out of the line.
Chase cussed under his breathe, ikaw ba naman insultuhin eh? He knows that its already Sev's nature, pero naaasar pa rin siya.
Oh, well. Chase is bored. He texted Xander to comeby at Darius' room before he slid the phone back to his pants.
"Uhm, sir." Napaangat siya nang tingin nang marinig nyang magsalita ang nurse.
He smiled wearily, "Yes?" He politely responded.
The Nurse flipped the patient's folder, "According to Mr. de Guzman's vital signs today, he's getting worst."
Chase almost dropped his acoustic guitar as he heard the bad news from the Nurse, "W-What?" He hardly spoke.
The Nurse flipped the patient's folder again, "But I have to report this to his attending doctor right away to check him carefully and give you a legit observation. Excuse me." The nurse bowed and left the room immediately.
He immediately took out his phone out of pants and dialled the numbers he have to dialledー D.O's parents.
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After Darius' parents were informed that their kid is diseased and seriously ill, they immediately flew back to Philippines and left their business trips.
Of course, the whole XOXO Basketball Team was blamed.
Who wouldn't? They knew all of that and they didn't say anything, and add the fact that D.O is getting worst.
Makaraan ang tatlong araw mula n'ung makarating ang magulang ni Darius ay nagising siya. Ito na 'ata ang pinaka-mapultang mukha niya, nangayayat din siya at parang pagod na pagod. Minsan pa bukod sa pamimigat ng pakiramdam, sumasakit pa ang ulo niya na para bang pinupokpok ng maso ang ulo niya. Darius hardly sleep, too.
It was painful to look at.
"Your son is getting worsen and worsen everytime I check him up." The doctor stated to Darius' parents who are currently looking at their son who is peacefully sleeping like he is not experiencing pain.
"Is there something you can do about it? Don't worry for the expenses, I can pay any amount. J-Just heal my son from his pain..." D.O's mom uttered as she bit her lips to stop herself from crying while his dad is just silently listening.
The doctor gave a weak smile as he slid a paper from his pocket, "Here's a card of a friend of mine, he is a neurologist in New York. And, he can save your son from its pain." He said as he handed the card to Mrs. de Guzman.
After a few minutes, the doctor excused himself and left the room.
"M-Mom?" Darius said weakly but he managed to smile, which makes a perfect heart-shape.
Lumapit ito sa kanya at umupo sa tabi niya, "A-Are you feeling okay, now? Huh? Why didn't you tell me that you're suffering in such pain for years? Why didn't you tell me?! Why now that I feel like I am about to lose you?" Her mom asked worriedly and wiped her tears at the same time.
Darius smiled at her and caressed her Mom's left cheek, "I will be alright. Don't cry, please." He almost whispered.
Tumango-tango naman ito pero hindi pa rin mapigilan ang pagdaloybng luha mula sa mga mata nito, "I know, I know. I'm j-just disappointed to myself, I'm your mom but I don't know that you are in pain. I-If I could just take that pain away from you..." She helplessly said while looking at her ill kid.
Darius frowned, "As if I will make you take this, seriously, mom... I will be okay. I will live my life happily like you wanted. I will live for more years. I will finish my studies and have a happy family. I will not give up just because of this... I hope you do, too mom." His mom nodded and kissed his head.
Darius diverted his sight to his Dad, "Hi, Dad." He waved his hand a little a sign of saying hello.
His Dad just nodded, according to it's facial expression- he's confused, disappointed and sad. Asking himself why it should be his only son to suffer such kind of pain?
"I will be alright, Dad. I will."
"Are you sure she's sick?" Kaizer asked Chase giving him a suspicious look.
Chase eyes widened, "Of course, I'm sure." Kaizer gave him a strain look, "Uh- well, apparently yes. I was informed that she's on sick leave." Chase said while scratching his nape.
"Who's on sick leave?"
Kaizer and Chase almost jumped in to surprise when D.O appeared behind the two of them.
"No one, Darius." Kaizer coldly said.
Darius pouted, "I'm just asking, why are you so hard?"
Kaizer and Chase gave him a disgust look, "That's gross, man. So gay. So like you."
Darius scoffed, "Don't compare me to the two of you, okay?"
Kaizer laughed, "Shut up."
Inakbayan ni Chase si Darius, "Are you sure you are going to States?" Tanong niya habang ginugulo ang buhok nito.
Darius just stared at him and shrugged his shoulders, thinking of that makes him wanna kill himself more. He can't just go without saying any of these to Jade. That's too much pain for him to take and he misses her so bad.
Kaizer patted D.O's head, "It's for your own good. Don't hesistate to go, we will still keep in touch. And, don't forget to undergo mental treatment, okay?" He half-joked.
D.O just smiled.
"Anyway, where are you going? You have a flight later. You just need to stay here." Kaizer said, well, more like commanded.
D.O hissed, "Come on, man. I still haven't seen my girlfriend like since a thousand years ago."
Kaizer gave him a straight face, "No."
D.O pushed him away, "I will just explain everything, and say the things I really wanted to say. Okay? I'll be back after an hour." He said and ran away not giving the two of them a time to react.
Yup, Darius will go to New York City later at 3PM. He contradicted at first but his parents pleaded that's why he can't say no and nothing can't do anything about it. For now, he just want to see Jade before going, even if his having a hard time in driving his car.
He's off to Jade's apartment, he will try his luck to see his girlfriend before going off. It's really weird for him not seeing his girlfriend around.
Wala din siyang pagkakataon mula n'ung nagising siya dahil sa bukod sa daig niya pa ang lantang gulay, his friends and parents doesn't want him to go outside.
Tanggap niya na ang sakit niya ngayon, hindi katulad noon na pinipilit niya ang sarili niyang wag paniwalaan ang lumabas na resulta sa CT Scan niya noon. It was like it makes his life miserable.
Well, this time he already reached his maturity and faced his own distress alone.
He tried his best to be tough in his awful situation, he tried to smile even though his head is aching a thousand times more. He tried to act like nothing's wrong, he tried to be happy even if it won't last any longer. At least, he felt happy.
After more or less than half an hour...
He pressed the doorbell.
"Sino 'yan?!" That was Jade's cousin, kalalabas lang nito na parang kagigising lang at may hawak-hawak na pot holder at sanse.
Hindi umimik si Darius, kilala naman siya nito at kilala niya rin ito- they know each other for over a year and he didn't know that he was related to Jade that time.
"Oh, de Guzman? What brings you here?" Medyo gulat pa na saad nito habang tinitigan siya ng mabuti.
He just gave a weak smile and waved his hand, a gesture of saying hello. But, he didn't responded.
Binuksan ni Joemari (pinsan ni Jade) ang gate, "Come on in, feel at home." Saad nito habang pinapapasok si Darius sa loob ng apartment nito.
"Is Jade here?" He asked without hesitation, because he badly wants to see Jade now.
Joemari just smiled, "She's not here, she's out of town... Sick."
Napabaling agad ng tingin si D.O ng tingin sa kanya, busy kasi ito sa pagtitig sa Graduation picture ni Jade na nakasukbit sa pader. "S-Sick?" Gulat na saad nito.
Jade's cousin just nodded, "Yeah, she's not here." Medyo nagi-guilty na sabi nito, kasi pang-labing apat na araw na mula n'ung sinabihan siya ni Jade na sabihing wala siya dun sa apartment nila kahit nandun naman talaga siya.
"Ah, okay. Maybe, I'll go ahead." Dismayadong tugon ni Darius.
Aalis na sana ito nang biglang magsalitang muli si Joemari.
"She's in her room."
He failed to talk to Jade, so he bid good bye and left the voice recorder inside Jade's room.
"I told you, she won't entertain anyone of you. She's devastated." Sabi ni Joemari sabay tapik nito sa balikat ni Darius, "Better luck next time."
Darius smiled bitterly, "I still hope there would still be a next time." He sighed.
"Huh? Pwede ka namang bumalik dito kapag okay na siya, don't worry I'll talk to her."
"Thanks, man but I'm leaving for good. And I don't think I can still come back... alive." He murmured the last word he uttered 'cause he can't imagine dying without seeing the girl he loves the most.
"Eh? Where are you going?" Tanong nito.
Ngumiti lang si Darius, "States." He looked at his wrist watch, "I should be going now, I have a 3PM flight to catch. Please inform Jade that I came by to say hello." He smiled and bid good bye.
"What took you so long?!" Inis na sermon ni Kaizer sa kanya, ihahatid kasi siya ng mga team mates niya.
Darius smiled bitterly, "Not now, please." Sabi nito sabay pabagsak na umupo sa couch. Napagod kasi siya sa pagda-drive, pakiramdam niya na-drain lahat ng lakas niya.
Mula n'ung malaman niyang nasa stage four na siya ng sakit niya eh mabilis na siyang mapagod at hingalin. Siguro kasi kapag alam mo kung gaano ka na kalala pati 'yung mentalidad mo sumasabay na rin.
"So, what happened?" Chase appeared out of nowhere while brushing his teeth.
Tinulak ni Kaizer si Chase, "Not here, you pig!" Nandidiring sabi nito.
Darius ignored them, tumingin siya sa wrist watch nya. It's already one thirty in the afternoon, at mamayang 3 PM na ang flight niya.
Tumayo siya kaya napahinto sa pagtatalo si Kaizer at Chase, "I think we should get going?" Nakangiting sabi niya sa mga ito at umakyat na papunta sa kwarto niya para asikasuhin ang mga natitirang gamit na dapat niyang ayusin.
Malapit na siyang matapos ayusin ang mga gamit niyang nakakalat ng biglang may kumatok sa pinto niya, "Darius, your parents are already here to fetch you." It was Kaizer, well currently nasa bahay siya nila Kaizer- he begged for his parents to stay there overnight.
Bumuntong hininga siya at isinukbit na ang backpack niya, he glanced at his phone's wallpaper- which is a picture of him and Jade. He will surely miss her. "Coming." He responded.
Bumaba na rin siya kasabay si Kaizer, he saw his parents worriedly looking at him. He hates that kind of scenery, seeing his parents worrying about his condition. Kaya nga, halos tatlong taon niya na iyong itinago mula sa kanila. Hindi dahil sa hindi niya matanggap na gan'un ang kinahantungan ng buhay niya, kundi dahil ayaw niyang may nag-aalala para sa kanya- 'yung mamomroblema para sa kanya, 'yung kakaawaan siya. Ginawa naman ng magulang ang lahat para mapunan ang pangangailangan niya bilang tao- sobra-sobra pa nga. Pero ang makita pa niyang nahihirapan ito dahil sa kanya, he thought it was too much to take.
"Still having a headache?" Lumapit ang Mommy niya sa kanya habang hinahaplos ang pisngi niya, naiiyak na naman ito.
Hinawi ni Darius ang kamay nito, "Mom, I'm okay. I will be. So, please, don't cry in front of me again." Nakasimangot na sabi ni Darius sa Mommy niya.
Tumango-tango ang Mommy niya pero hindi pa rin naiwasan ang pag-iyak. "Arasseo. Arasseo."
"Let's go?" Tumayo na ang Dad niya at kinuha ang backpack na bitbit nya, hindi siya pwede mapagod eh- hindi naman iyon mabigat para sa kanya, sadyang ayaw lang ng mga ito na nahihirapan siya.
Lumabas na ang mom at dad niya habang siya ay naiwan pa sa loob para kausapin sila Kaizer.
"Are you sure that you don't want to see me off?" Tanong ni Darius sa dalawa.
Umiling si Kaizer, as well as Chase (who's currently teary-eyed), "Nah, I might stop you from going away." Nakangiting sabi ni Kaizer.
"And besides, I don't wanna see Kaizer crying like a spoiled bratt." Nakangising sabi ni Chase pero halatang nalulungkot ito.
Siniko ni Kaizer si Chase, "Just take care of yourself... and, go back here... alive." Sabi nito at niyakap si Darius habang tinatapik ang likod nito.
Well, ito na 'ata ang tunay na bromance. lol
"I-I will..." Darius muttered, stopping himself to get emotional.
They bid good byes.
Well, that's how life goes. Someone will leave and someone will came, to replace what is missing.
But, true friends will never forget each other.
Darius Olen "D.O" de Guzman is a great guy, even though he was boastful and unpredictable. He always care secretly, he also love... secretly.
"Is there any something wrong? Are you expecting someone?" His Dad asked him.
Umiling si Darius, "Uh, no. I just thought someone called my name." He disappointedly said.
His Dad smiled at him, "Don't worry, son. I will asure you will survive that thing you are suffering."
He smiled back, he looked back once again- expecting 'her' to stop him for going. But, then...
No 'her' came to stop him.
Until Darius felt everything went black.
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UPDATED, 130113 4:15PM.
[Author's Note]
Hi, guys! It was almost a month since the last time I updated. Mianhae, I'm too busy in school and stuffs. Sorry.
Anyway, I planned to update this yesterday in celebration of Dyo's birthday but, my first draft got formatted accindentally(?) or I was just too clumsy that's why it was deleted.
Oh, well. Belated Happy 21st Birthday Do Kyung Soo! Happy #KaiSooDay! And, advance Happy 20th Birthday Kim Jong In (Kai)!
I hope you guys liked this rush update. And sorry for typographical error and grammatical error.
Okay, bye earth. Neomu neomu neomu saranghaeyo~
XOXO,
stylistnoona (follow me on twittuhh guysh, I answer queries here @stylisteonnie)