◈ Caught By A Beast ◈
╰69th Catch╮
HER heart feels colder than the Christmas air. She missed out on the family's Christmas Eve gathering and skipped his dad's birthday party as she decided to remain in the hospital, with hope in her heart that today is the day Lara wakes up, a long-awaited miracle.
Upon her mother's arrival, her family made a short visit to the hospital. Despite being unfamiliar with Lara, her mother couldn't help but feel sympathy for her condition. She also expressed anticipation about meeting her girlfriend once she's awake.
In the company of her girlfriend's family, she celebrated Christmas. The day didn't turn out as joyful as they had hoped, with everyone anticipating a miracle, yet they made an effort to carry on as usual, if only for a fleeting moment. She felt compelled to eat, overwhelmed by Lara's parents' insistence. Furthermore, the intensity of Gigi's gaze was unsettling, causing her to feel increasingly intimidated.
The following day, Andy and Yuan showed up. They hadn't visited in quite some time due to their thesis commitments. It was then that she recalled Lara's impending graduation. Consequently, she found herself earnestly hoping for Lara's recovery before their graduation ceremony.
Andy shared with her that, for the first time, she had fulfilled her attendance of the nine dawn masses, fervently praying for Lara's awakening. However, her heart sank a little when she saw her friend, still lying unconscious.
Once Andy and Yuan had left, her three best friends came over. They checked in on her and urged her to take care of herself. Greco also mentioned something to her about the ongoing investigation. But the details were limited, fearing that any sudden revelation might cause her to lose control and potentially go berserk.
Aware of her ability, she didn't push further even though she desperately wanted to know the whole truth. She was contented knowing that there was some progress, albeit small, and that her friends were taking care of it.
She was just waiting for Lara to wake up before she took action.
TIME continues to pass, with her enduring numerous cold nights, unable to find solace in sleep. Upon catching sight of herself in the mirror, she notices the dark circles forming beneath her eyes and the puffiness of her eye bags. In addition to that is her skinny physique. Yet, she simply ignores the changes in her physical appearance.
"Happy New Year!"
Napabalikwas siya ng bangon nang marinig ang malakas na sigaw kasabay ng malalakas na putok. Kasing-lakas ng mga putok ang pintig ng kanyang puso habang siya'y patayo sa couch.
Dahil nanlalabo pa ang paningin ay medyo nahirapan pa siyang kilalanin kung kanino ang malamig na kamay na biglang humawak sa braso niya.
"Arq! Hoy!" Sigaw nito sabay tinapik-tapik ang kanyang pisngi.
Clearing her vision with a rub of her eyes, she, at last, discerned Pearl standing before her, her face etched with concern.
"Okay ka lang?" Tanong ng dalaga.
Marahan siyang tumango-tango sabay tanong, "A-ano 'yong... p-pumutok?"
"Sorry, ang lakas pala no'ng volume ng tv. Pagbukas ko, nagulat din ako." Paglilinaw nito na medyo lumambot na rin ang itsura.
She lets out a sigh of relief knowing that nothing awful is happening. It seems that she has been traumatized by all the unpleasant events.
"Sorry, nakatulog ako." Paghingi niya ng paumanhin habang inaayos ang sarili.
Honestly, she's starting to feel tired, yet she stubbornly pushes through. But with her attempts to restrain herself from drifting away, her body finally surrendered.
"Okay lang. Nandito naman kami. Atsaka kailangan mo ring magpahinga kahit papano." Paniniyak ni Pearl sabay ngiti nang bahagya.
Ginantihan niya rin ito ng ngiti.
Kilala niyang may pagkamataray rin si Pearl, subalit hindi siya nakaramdam ng pagtataray mula rito simula nang maaksidente ang ate nito. Ganonpaman ay hindi siya nito masyadong iniimik, maliban ngayong gabi.
"Kamusta si Lara?" Tanong niya sabay baling sa direksyon ng natutulog na kasintahan.
For God's sake, new year na! Bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa siya nagigising? Lihim niyang reklamo.
"Wala pa rin, Arq. Sumubok ulit siya ng test kanina pero wala pa ring malinaw na paliwanag si Dok kung kailan talaga magigising si ate." Punong-puno ng kalungkutang tugon ni Pearl.
Para na naman siyang maiiyak. Pakiramdam niya ay nagkukulang na sa hangin ang kanyang baga at wala na siyang maibubuga pa. Napakagat-labi isiya. Hindi ganito mag-uumpisa ang taon para sa kanilang dalawa ni Lara. Hindi ganitong sakit ang iindahin nila buong taon. Gising na dapat ito ngayon. Nagsasaya sana sila sa pagpasok ng panibagong taon. Matatamis na ngiti at hindi pagluha ang dapat na reaksyon sa kani-kanilang mga mukha.
Subalit paano?
Her eyes well up as she attempts to stride towards Lara. It seems like she resembles a walking corpse, devoid of feeling yet her body persists with vitality. She can't feel her feet on the ground as she goes along.
Namamanhid na siya.
Hanggang sa unti-unti niyang nararamdaman na tila ba lumilipad na siya sa alapaap sa mabagal na paraan, at tanging naging alingawngaw na lamang ang pagtawag ni Pearl sa kanyang pangalan.
"ARQUI..."
Pagdilat niya ng mga mata'y namulatan niya ang kakambal na si Heathe sa kanyang tabi. Otomatikong lumibot ang kanyang paningin sa kabuuan ng silid, hanggang sa napagtanto niyang nakahiga pala siya sa isang kama.
Sinubukan niyang bumangon subalit kaagad din siyang bumalik sa paghiga nang biglang makaramdam ng hilo. At doon na niya napansin ang suwerong nakaturok sa kanyang kamay.
"You collapsed. I told you to take care of yourself, didn't I?" Heathe stated, concern laced her tone.
Instead of answering her sister, she counter-asks, "Where is Lara?"
"She's in the other room. In the meantime, Arqui, please, think about your health!"
Heathe must be torn between frustration and concern, apparent in the way she speaks.
A frown of vexation forms on her face as she directs her gaze towards her sister. "You should know better, Heathe. Nang mawala si Ayen sa'yo, di ba ganito rin naman ang naramdaman mo?"
Subalit ang totoo ay hindi naman siya naiinis sa kanyang kapatid kundi sa kanyang sarili. Hindi niya matanggap na bumibigay na ang kanyang katawan. Hindi siya maaaring manghina.
Muli niyang sinubukang tumayo subalit pinigilan na naman siya ng kapatid. Lalo lamang siyang naiinis dahil ramdam niya ang panghihina.
"What the fvck, Heathe? Let go of me!" She screamed while struggling to break free.
She finds herself on the brink of a meltdown, unable to suppress the turmoil raging inside her.
Heathe reaches her breaking point, her voice raised in a desperate plea. "Rogue! Please, just listen!"
Once her sister refers to her by her true name, it's a clear indicator that she's indeed mad.
"No! You listen to me! Just.. just let me go! Kailangan kong puntahan si Lara!"
"What are you trying to do with yourself, Rogue? Fvck! After my situation, here you are right now! Trying to kill yourself as well? God!"
Muli niyang tiningnan nang masama ang kakambal. Magsasalita na sana siya nang makarinig siya ng pagtikhim. Kaagad siyang natigilan matapos mapalingon sa isa pang taong kasama nila sa silid.
"Heathe, l-lalabas lang ako..."
It's Ayen. And she feels embarrassed for acting up in front of her.
Matapos tumango ni Heathe bilang kompirmasyon ay mabilis din namang nawala sa kanilang paningin si Ayen. Kung hindi lamang masama ang loob niya ngayon, siguradong mayayakap niya ang dalaga sapagkat sabik siyang muli itong makita. Wala siyang gusto kay Ayen, sadyang sobrang naging malapit lamang sila noon sa puntong parang ito na ang kapatid niya kaysa kay Heathe. Natutuwa siyang muli itong makitang kasama ng kanyang kapatid.
As soon as the door closes, she subsequently cools down. Unfortunately, her rage turns into tears all of a sudden.
Napahagulhol na lang siya sa inis dahil wala siyang ibang magawa sa ngayon. Nanghihina siya. Naitakip niya ang mga palad sa mukha.
"Arqui.." Heathe uttered gently while caressing her arm.
"I can't... I can't lose her, Heathe. Naiintindihan mo naman, di ba?" Humahagulhol niyang pahayag. Ramdam na ramdam niya ang panginginig ng katawan.
"I know. Trust me, you won't lose her. We just have to be more patient for now. And Lara, she won't leave you. Believe me." Her twin sister encouraged.
Ilang minuto pa niyang hinayaan ang sarili para umiyak nang sa gayon ay mabawasan ang bigat na kanyang nararamdaman. Habang pinupunasan niya ang luha sa mga mata'y bigla na lamang niyang nadama ang malakas na pagkabog ng kanyang dibdib. Wala siyang ibang naisip kundi si Lara.
Nagsalubong ang tingin nilang magkapatid na para bang naramdaman din ni Heathe kung ano ang naramdaman niya. Sa pagkakataong iyon ay mukhang hindi nito inaasahan ang pagtayo niya kaya napaatras ito at muntik pang matumba nang hindi sinasadyang maitulak niya.
Saglit pa siyang natigilan nang maramdamang may nakaturok pa sa kanyang kamay na suwero. Walang pagdadalawang-isip niya iyong hinila para tuluyang matanggal. Wala siyang pakiramdam sa pagdugo ng kanyang kamay, sa katunayan nga ay wala siyang naramdamang sakit.
Pagbukas niya ng pinto ay nagkagulatan pa sila ni Ayen nang sila'y magsalubong. Subalit bukod sa gulat ay napansin din niya ang pangamba sa itsura nito.
Behind Ayen, a doctor and several nurses are seen scrambling to reach somewhere. As her eyes follow them, she realizes that they are rushing towards Lara's room.
Her breath almost falters when she walks to her girlfriend's room. The more she progresses, the more elusive the door becomes, slipping further away with each stride.
God, no!
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