Ralph's POV
I held Gen's hand and kissed it as I missed it so much.
She's still unconscious. May bandage ang ulo niya pati na ang kamay niya. Aside sa IV na nakaturok sa kamay niya, may mga tube siya sa bibig. Katatapos lang ng operation niya at nasa ICU siya ngayon. She's very delicate. Ang sabi kasi ng doctor ay hindi pa siya magaling. After her operation, she's still responding. Kaya medyo nabuhayan ako. But the doctor also said to be open to the idea that she might not make it. Ayokong tanggapin sakaling 'yon ang mangyari.
Sinabi kasi ng doctor na critical ang lagay niya and her brain surgery made her more critical. Sinabi rin ng doctor na hindi niya masabi kung kailan ito magigising. She has multiple complications. She bled a lot and she hurt her body and head when she was hit by a car. I wanted to sue the driver who did this to my wife. I wanted to know everything about that time. I know I should not blame anyone since it's an accident, but Gen doesn't deserve this. My baby doesn't deserve to be under therapy now. Ang dalawang mahal ko sa buhay ay napunta sa alanganin ang buhay because of that careless driver.
"Why are you like this? I am not used to seeing you like this." A tear fell from my eyes. "Please fight for us or for our baby at least. He needs you. I haven't seen him yet, but I know he's adorable." I wiped the tears overflowing from my eyes. Naalala ko kasi yung araw bago mangyari lahat ng 'to. Gen was so excited to see the baby. 'Yon pala mapapaaga ang labas niya at ito pa ang nangyari. Maybe there's a purpose why Gen showed me our baby's room. She taught me everything I needed to know for the baby in that room and where things were located. Doon pa lang may kakaiba na akong naramdaman but I disregarded it.
"Please, Gen. Please fight. You'll be teaching me how to change diapers, remember? 'Yon ang sabi mo sa 'kin. You also promised me that you will never leave me."
The scene flashback in my mind instantly. Yung time na nangako siya sa aking hindi niya ako iiwan no matter what. I am still counting on that promise kahit alam kong ang laki ng kasalanan ko sa kanya. I am counting on the love she has for me.
I kissed her hand again before I put it back down. "I'll be back. I will just check our baby. Pagbalik ko, I will tell you what he looks like." I smiled.
Sabi kasi ng nurse kanina that I can peek on the window later to see my baby.
Lumabas ako ng ICU. When I finally got out, I picked up my phone and dialed my assistant's number.
"Hello, Sir Ralph?"
"I want you to get a copy of the CCTV on the area where Gen had the accident. Let me know ASAP if you have it."
"Okay, Sir. Noted."
"Thanks." I put the call off then went to the nursery section.
As I walked my way there, my heart was beating fast. I am excited to see my baby, but I am also scared to see his condition.
"Anak, mabuti nandito ka na. Kanina ka pa hinihintay ng nurse." Sinalubong ako ni mommy malapit sa nursery. She also stayed here since last night. She didn't leave my side, and I am so happy I have her with me cause I really need someone right now.
"Did you see my baby already, Mom?"
Umiling siya, "Hinihintay kita. Gusto ko sabay tayong makita siya."
I nodded at her. I was touched but I didn't have the energy to show to her how much I appreciated all her efforts.
Lumapit na kami sa window receiving area.
"Good morning, Sir. Are you here to see the baby?" I nodded. "What's your name, Sir?"
"Ralph Tan. I am the father." My heart skipped a beat when I said the word father. It felt surreal. I still can't believe that I am a dad now. Everything happened unexpectedly—when I had Gen pregnant and especially my baby coming out this early. Nevertheless, I am so proud to call myself a dad.
"Okay. This way, Sir. Follow me to the other window."
Nasa labas lang kami ni mommy while we followed the nurse na nasa loob. We saw her look at the name of a baby in an incubator, and she moved it a bit paharap sa 'min. She opened the curtains to the sides for us to get a clearer view.
My tears fell when I saw my child. "My son..." My hands landed on the window. I suddenly had that feeling of wanting to hold him in my hands. But unfortunately, I can't. All I can do is look at him from afar.
"He's so adorable, isn't he?" mom said. "He's a tough baby. I know he'll survive this." Mom was also teary-eyed.
Who wouldn't it's our first time to see him tapos hindi pa namin pwedeng mahawakan.
Hindi matapos ang pagpatak ng luha ko. He's so small. He has a ventilator attached to his nose. He is also inside an incubator with those weird lightings. My poor baby...
"I hope so, Mom. I really hope so..."
Mom hugged me after I said that and patted my back. "I'm always here for you, anak."
I let my tears flow when another nurse approached us. "Sir, kailangan niyo na pong bigyan ng pangalan si baby."
Napalingon ako ulit sa baby ko. A very cute, tiny, and adorable little gem.
I know Gen and I talked about the baby's name. If it's a boy, I'll be the one naming it, and parang sinasadya lahat kasi ako naman pala talaga ang magpapangalan because Gen isn't here to do that in case it's a girl.
If only Gen is here to witness this. My eyes settled back to the nurse. "Genoah. My son's name is Genoah Tan."
Tumango ang nurse at sinulat na ang sinabi ko. I hope Gen will be happy that I named our baby after her. She deserves it cause she is our baby's savior. She did everything to protect him. I just wish the baby will grow up just like her, sweet and funny.
That afternoon I received a call from Leo. He already has the files, so I drove to the office.
"Sir," he greeted me.
I sat on my chair and he quickly showed me his laptop. There I saw the video from the CCTV in the mall where the accident happened.
"Kita po riyan nasagasaan po si Ma'am Gen dahil tumigil ito sa gitna ng kalsada. I talked to your lawyer about this, Sir, at sinabi niyang pwede nating kasuhan ang driver kahit aksidente ang lahat."
I saw from the video that Gen was running to the street where she was hit.
"Why would she run? And she glanced at someone behind her." Malayo ang kuha kaya hindi ko makita ang mukha niya bBut I'm sure she was running from someone. Hindi makita sa video kung sino. Then a guy na nakatalikod ay tinulungan siya when she got hit. My anger built up. Ako sana ang nando'n para tulungan siya. Sana hindi ko siya hinayaang mag mall mag-isa.
"Bakit hindi po natin tanungin ang naghatid kay Ma'am sa hospital para makausap natin kung nakita niya ba ang nangyari."
I nodded. "I will talk to the nurse there."
"Okay, Sir."
I don't know what to think anymore. I clearly saw on the video that Gen was running. But who would she be running from? Whoever that person is, may kasalanan siya bakit nangyari 'to. I need to know who and have him pay for the price he has costs my son and Gen.
"For now, ikaw muna ang bahala rito. I will be at the hospital. Kailangan ako ng mag-ina ko. Call me if it's important."
He nodded saka ako tumayo. I was on my way to the door when he called me out, so I turned around to face him.
"Magiging okay rin po lahat."
It took me a few seconds before I nodded my head. Leo has been with me for years and he knows me well. Alam niya na this time, it's not easy for me.
The next days have been harder. I talked to the nurses there at wala silang mabigay na info tungkol sa naghatid kay Gen sa hospital. Hindi raw kasi ito pumasok ng hospital pero sumama lang daw ito sa ambulance na nagdala kay Gen sa hospital. They can't even remember his face.
I became frustrated but I should not give up. I let the police take care of it.
I need to be strong for my son and Geneva. Hindi pa rin kasi gumigising si Gen. She's still in coma. Sabi ng doctor baka matagalan daw. I can't imagine what will happen to the next days na mag-isa lang ako. As for my son, he's still under light therapy. They feed him milk through a small tube to his mouth. I bought the milk for infants para meron siyang mainom cause his mom is not conscious to do that.
Hindi na ako masyadong umuuwi ng bahay. I only went home when I needed to take a shower but after that, I would go back to the hospital. I spend my time watching Gen and our baby. Magkalayo pa ang ICU at nursery dito sa hospital. I have to walk to and from the opposite sides of the building.
I am tired but how can I complain? I am doing this for my loved ones.
Feeling ko pinarurusahan ako. I was mean at Gen at first and I admit na malaki ang kasalanan ko sa kanya. Baka ito ang karma ko. I lied to her that we're married. Ang totoo, matagal nang kinalimutan ang utang ng parents niya sa 'min. Dad said her father was a good friend so hayaan na. But nagipit ako, so I was looking for a prospective wife. I hate women since Rachel left me, and I didn't want to marry those who like me. Panandalian lang naman kasi at ayoko ng sabit when I dump her.
I was frustrated at naisip ko ang nagkautang kay dad. I found out that they have a daughter, and it's Geneva. Wala sa kasunduan na siya ang pambayad ng parents niya. Pinalabas ko lang na gano'n. I planned everything. Sinadya ko, so I could get the million-dollar business deal. Mas malaki kasi ang chance na makuha ko ang deal when they knew that I was a married man. I am planning to dump her after that, but things changed. I fell in love. At ngayon, ako sinisingil ng kasalanan ko. Pero bakit sa ganitong paraan pa? Bakit si Gen ang kailangang masaktan at ang anak ko?
I blame myself for all these. Kasalanan ko naman talaga. Noon ko pa sana gustong sabihin sa kanya ang totoo pero natatakot ako. She might leave me. Then she was pregnant, mas lalo akong natakot. Still, I am planning to correct everything kasi I don't want her to suffer more because of my lies. I will tell her when she wakes up. I will tell her the truth. Maghahanap ako ng tamang pagkakataon paggising niya. I know na gigising siya. She will be okay. I trust her promise.