First, sorry po kasi super late update! Midterms namin and sobrang dami ko minememorize. Di ko matapos tuloy agad.
Second, super ultra mega thank you po sa inyo! To all the ones who sticked to Nathan and Gianna all along. Pati sa mga nagfan, vote, add nito sa RL at comment.
Third, sorry di ko na masagot mga comments but always remember, I'm always thankful to you.
Lastly, last chapter na po to at Epilogue nalang natitira. For soft copies, I'll be making it and just PM me if you want to have a copy.
Thank you and Godbless. :)
Dedicated to my dear kambal who stayed, trusted, loved and have always looked forward to whatever story I write. :")
**
It's been three days and it feels like hell.
"Gi, try mo muna kayang magpahinga?" sabi nila Ashley sa akin.
I smiled and shook my head. "Hindi. Ayos lang ako."
"Gi, baka naman ikaw yung magkasakit sa ginagawa mo." paalala ni Denice.
Tumango-tango si Des. "Oo nga, Gi. Gigising din sina Gian. I'm sure, ngayon sila gigising."
I smiled at them. Sana nga.
Tumayo nalang ako tapos pumunta sa kwarto nila Nathan at Gian. Hinayaan naman nila ako. Siguro naiintindihan lang nila yung kalagayan ko. Ayokong iwan yung mag-ama ko. Ang gusto ko, ako ang una nilang makikita pag nagising sila.
Pero kelan kaya yon?
Lumapit ako kay Gian para pagmasdan sya. Parang kailan lang nung ang saya nya talaga kasi nakakasama nya na yung daddy nya. Tapos, bigla-bigla, nangyari to.
I brushed some strands of Gian's hair away from his face then kissed his forehead.
Please, please Gian, wake up. I can't lose you, too, like Angel. I just can't.
I took a shaky breath to calm myself. Despite of wanting to cry, I forced myself to be strong. I need to be strong for the two of them.
Gently squeezing Gian's hand, I turned to Nathan. Lolo Martin specifically asked the hospital management to let Gian stay in Nathan's room, thinking it would help them both.
I took Nathan's hand and kissed it. Then, I gently caressed his face. "You must wake up. You're yet to know that Gian's your son. You're yet to tell us you love us. I still have to marry you in the church. Y-you can't l-leave us. Yo-you promised you'll s-st-stay f-forever by my s-side." and before I realized it, I was crying. I can't stop the tears that were richly flowing from my eyes. Because, I just can't lose him. I can't lose Nathan and Gian. I just can't. Just thinking about it makes my heart clench and beat fast painfully that I can hardly breathe. "Y-you t-t-told me that f-fo-forev-ver f-feels too short i-if I'm w-with y-y-you. Yo-you c-can't leave m-m-me ag-again. Y-you j-just can't."
Watching Nathan's face made me think about the times when we were together. Like when we signed the contract that lolo made for us.
Remembering it made me smile. It seems like it was only yesterday when we signed the contract. Wagas pa kami mag-away no'n. He's still an idiot that time that calling him 'handsome idiot' really justified his annoying attitude. And, right, he even kissed me that time! Two times pa! What an idiot. Really. Haha. Pati nung nag-date kami. Grabe lang. I think that was the first time where we dated. Nakikipaglandian pa sya sa una nung iba tapos, titino rin pala. Kaya lang, grabe lang nun. Iniwan ako! Parang baliw lang pala to. Hahaha. Tapos yung mga time na nag-aaway kami, grabe! Sa sobrang daming beses naming nag-aaway, di ko na matandaan kung kelan at ano yung mga dahilan ba't nag-aaway kami. Pero sure ako, kasali sa mga dahilan yung pakikipaglandian nya at pagtawag sa akin ng 'ugly stick'.
Napangiti nalang ako tapos napahigpit ng hawak sa kamay ni Nathan. "Right. You're still going to call me 'ugly stick' endearingly. Ikukwento pa natin kay Gian mga kalokohan natin noon. Kaya g-gumising na kayo."
Really, Nathan. Marami pa tayong dapat gawin. Marami pa tayong dapat ikwento kay Gian. Wag nyo akong iiwan. Ikukwento pa natin nung nagpakasal tayo kahit nag-aaway tayo. "Marami pa tayong ikukwento kay Gian. So, p-please, N-Nathan. Wake up. I don't know what I will do if I lose you two."
I held Nathan's cheek. I think my heart is in trouble beating. Seeing both Nathan and Gian like this is too much. Every beat of my heart feels like there are needles that have been piercing it a million times.
"Gianna?" I turned around and saw lolo Martin standing by the door.
I wiped the tears that made my face wet. "Yes, 'lo?"
Lumapit sa akin si lolo. Then, he hugged me assuringly. "Don't worry, dear. Gigising na sila. I promise I'll do anything to wake them up."
I patted lolo's shoulder. "I know, 'lo. I have hope on them."
Binitiwan ako ni lolo tapos hinarap at nginitian. "I'm sorry, Gi."
Napakunot ako ng noo. "Bakit, 'lo?"
Bumuntong hininga muna si lolo at linapitan si Nathan. "Ang dami kong kasalanan sa inyo. Kung sigurong hindi ko pinilit si Nathan sa kagustuhan kong mabuntis ka, hindi magmumukhang ginamit ka lang nya para makuha yung kumpanya. Kung di ko kayo pinakasal agad, di siguro kayo aabot sa ganito. Kung san--"
"'lo," I interrupted. "Relax, 'lo. There's nothing we can do." I told him then smiled. "You were just worried and acted a little childish. You're not perfect so it's normal to have mistakes. Just smile and relax 'lo. Everything will be fine."
Lolo smiled and held my cheek. "But, most of all, Gi, I want to thank you for taking care of Nathan even though he was a big idiot before, for loving and understanding him despite of everything and for helping him forgive me."
I smiled and brushed some strands of Nathan's hair that fell on his face. "I should be the one thanking you 'lo." I told lolo then, I kissed Nathan's forehead. "For giving me someone that is worth living and loving. For giving me the love that is worth all the pain I experienced."
"I just hope they both wake up." sagot naman ni lolo.
I help lolo's shoulder and squeezed it. "They will, 'lo. I trust them."
Lolo Martin just smiled and nodded. But, as much as I try hard to convince lolo Martin that they will wake up, I just can't seem to fully convince myself. There's a part of me that's really hurting because I don't know if they will survive this. All I can do is hope and wait. I really hate this. Not being able to do something while seeing your love ones in pain is just simply hell that's in earth.
"Ang drama nyong mag-lolo." I turned around and saw tita Marian watching us. "Pangteleserye lang te."
Hearing tita Marian joke about lolo and I made me chuckle. But when my eyes caught Gian, I froze.
It can't be... But... Oh, God.
"M-Mam-mee." Gian called, his voice husky.
I slowly reached for him. To touch him. To feel him again.
"Ma-Mamee. Me hungwy (hungry)." Gian said again.
Slowly, I smiled when he responded at my touch. Gian's awake. He's finally awake. He's really finally awake. "I-I'll buy you ice cream."
Gian cheered rather weakly. He's weak but he's awake. He'll be fine. I know he will be.
"Elow, lolo. 'low, lola Mayan (Marian)." he greeted lolo and tita Marian like nothing happened. But what he asked next made my heart clench tightly. "Mamee, w-why dadd-dy in't (isn't) waking up?"
There was a long silence while they wait for me to answer. But, should I tell a kid that his father is fighting for his dear life?
"He fell asleep waiting for you to wake up." it was Sam who answered.
"Elow, daddy Sam." Gian greeted. Lumapit si Sam kay Gian but lolo, tita Marian and I just watched him.
"Hello, tough guy." Sam greeted back then pinched the nose of my son. "What's this that I've heard? Suddenly crossing the road without mommy or daddy's help. Tinuro ko ba yun? Look how worried mommy is."
Gian turned stared at me. Tapos bigla na lang syang mukhang iiyak. "S-sowee (sorry), mamee. It shan't happen again."
"Gi," tita Marian called. "Pinapasabi pala nila Ashley na bibili silang makakain ng matino. Kaya nga pala pumunta ako dito."
Tumango nalang ako at ngumiti. Tapos hinawakan ni lolo yung balikat ko at tinapik.
"Maiwan muna namin kayo ng anak mo." lolo said then went and pulled tita Marian with him.
No one talked after lolo and tita Marian left us. Gian was only staring at us while Sam was ignoring me. Maybe he was angry because I decided things on my own. Or maybe there was a tiny bit of hope that we will both fall for each other but I went and broke his heart. Or maybe both.
"Sam." I called.
He smiled but, he continued on ignoring me. "I've brought you something." he told Gian.
"What?"
Sam lifted the plastic bag he was holding. "Something you love."
"Yay!" Gian cheered.
Sam went and pulled something from the plastic bag. "Grapes!"
Gian continued cheering as he held up his hands and reached for them. Tumatawa namang inabot ni Sam kay Gian yung mga ubas. Seeing Gian full of energy made me smile but the fact that Sam was ignoring me made me feel terrible.
I reached out and held Sam's shoulder. "Sam. Please."
Sam didn't answer. Instead, there was silence except for Gian's grumbling about his grapes.
"Sam, can we talk?" I tried again. It broke my heart when he removed my hand on his shoulder.
Sam leaned to Gian and kissed his forehead. "Ok, tough guy. Lalabas lang kami ni mommy. We'll go call a doctor so they can check you up. Behave, ok?"
Gian nodded while being preoccupied on eating the grapes that Sam gave. When Sam started walking, I followed. I don't know where we will be going but I just followed him. Because, we seriously need to talk.
Dumaan muna kami sa may nurse station para masabihan gising na si Gian. Ewan ko ba ba't di nalang ako nagsisigaw kanina.
Pagkatapos namin sa nurse station, nagpatuloy si Sam sa paglalakad. And we're currently standing at the rooftop of the hospital. The wind was a bit strong but that didn't bother us.
Now, Sam was standing with his back facing me a few feet away. I decided to be the one to speak. "Sam." I called. "I'm sorry."
There was silence. Maybe he was too mad at me.
"Why?" he asked, breaking the silence. And it wasn't even a comfortable silence.
"For not contacting you when I was with Nathan. For not considering your feelings. For holding unto you even though I don't love you romantically." I answered while staring on the floor. I was too guilty for all the things that I said that I couldn't even look into Sam's eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Why, Gi?" he repeated. I glanced up and saw him coming over.
It pained my heart when I saw his broken expression. All I could think was how horrible I am. How can I hurt someone who's so pure and true? How could I hurt Sam; my own bestfriend?
I almost fell on the ground due to devastation for seeing Sam like this. And when he laid his forehead on my shoulder.
"Why can't I get mad at you? Why?" he asked.
I gently ran my fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you even apologizing? I'm not mad. I can't even get mad at you. You don't have to apologize, Gi." he told me. Oh, Sam. How can you be so kind? "I do love you, Gi. I really do. But I'm not going to chase after you when I know you're happy with Nathan. I can't even think of stealing you and Gian from Nathan when you both love him so much."
I don't know but hearing Sam tell that to me made me smile sadly. I hope Sam would meet his other half soon.
Pinanuod ko lang si Sam nung tumayo na sya ng maayos at diretso. Smiling at me, he pushed my hair behind my ear. "You will always be my biggest what if, though." I looked at him questioningly so he smiled and continued. "Like, what if we both fell in love with each other? What if you never fell for Nathan? What if you never met Nathan again? What if you never forgave him? What if-- what if I was the one who got married to you?"
I smiled at him. "I understand you, Sam. But there are things in life that are meant to be unknown."
"Maybe." sagot nalang ni Sam at ngumiti. "Tara? Hinihintay tayo ni Gian."
I nodded and together, we made our way back.
**
I continued on staring at the cross of Christ while sitting alone in this quiet chapel. I know I'm not a super religious person but, I just kind of ended up staying here whenever I feel scared. It's been exactly 5 days since that accident happened. At alam ko na rin ba't hindi pa nagigising si Nathan. Syempre daw kasi, sabi ng doctor, napuruhan yung ulo ni Nathan. Ipagdasal nalang daw na kahit na napuruhan ulo nya, he won't suffer with a serious head injury.
I guess we turn to God when there's something that is impossible to be done by us. But I realized that we should always turn to God whatever happens, even if they're not going the way we want them to be.
Hay. I just hope Nathan will wake up.
"Gianna." napalingon ako at nakitang papalapit sa akin si tita Marian. "Why the long face?"
I just gave her a slight smile but didn't answer.
Naupo sa tabi ko si tita Marian paglapit nya. Then, she placed her hand on my leg. "How are you? Sa dami ng mga nangyari, di na tayo masyado nakapagkwentuhan." tita Marian said. Then, she chuckled as if she remembered something funny. "Silly me. How could I ask how are you when I already know the answer?"
Nanatili lang akong tahimik pero inihiga ko yung ulo ko sa balikat ni tita Marian at hinayaan ko syang magsalita. "It hurts, isn't it?" she asked. "It just simply hurts that sometimes, you become numb."
I nodded. Kahit hindi sabihin ni tita Marian kung anong tinutukoy nya, alam ko naman. Kasi nararamdaman ko. I can feel the pain of the uncertainty if Nathan will make it.
"It's like there's a large hole in your heart." she continued. "There's even a point where you don't know which is scarier; the pain or the numbness you feel. It hurts so much when the one you love is in pain that you can't feel yourself anymore. Seeing someone you love in pain is like being in your own personal hell, isn't it?"
Napatingin ako kay tita Marian. She knows what I'm going through. She knows how painful to see someone you love in pain. She knows what personal hell feels like. She understands what I feel so much that I can still feel sadness in her voice. But, she was just staring to the cross of Christ.
"I know dear." she told me. "I know. I lost my husband and child in a painful way. I hope it won't happen to you."
I hope so, tita. I really hope.
"But, remember, dear. There's no happy ending in this world." tita Marian said, then, she took my hand and squeezed. "Just trust Him and Nathan."
There's no happy ending in this world. What a scary sentence. But, tita Marian is right. I should just trust God and Nathan.
Di na nagsalita ulit si tita Marian. Instead, we sat there quietly, trying to escape the reality of tita Marian's husband and child's deaths and Nathan's fight for his life.
But our silent sanctuary was invaded when Sam came rushing over.
"Best..." he muttered.
His expression scared and I don't know why. "What's wrong?"
"It's... It's Nathan." he told me.
Napatayo ako nung sinabi nya yung pangalan ni Nathan. "What's wrong with Nathan?"
"His heart." Sam said. And what he told me next broke my whole being. "It stopped beating."
Not hearing another word, I ran to Nathan's room. I didn't even take notice to Gian who was sitting outside his dad's room. But, I almost fell down on the ground when I saw the cardiac monitor showing a straight line and giving off an unending beep sound.
"No. It can't be. It just can't. What's wrong Nathan? You can't leave me. You can't leave Gian. He's waiting for you to come home. He's already outside so you just can't l-leave us." I think I heard my voice break, but, I just want Nathan to hear them.
I think there was a commotion because I heard unfamiliar voices. Maybe they were doctors. Maybe nurses. I don't really care. I just want Nathan to hear my voice.
"Nathan. Please. Don't leave me." I begged him while holding his hand like it was his life. "I'm going to punch your face if you die like this."
Napapikit nalang ako nung tumulo na yung mga luhang di maubos-ubos kahit halos araw-araw kung umiyak ako.
Please wake up. Please, Nathan. Hear my plea, please.
"Whatever did I do to be punched?"
I think my tear glands stopped producing tears when I heard that familiar voice. Napabukas ako agad ng mata para lang makita si Nathan na pinapanood ako.
"I... I..." I stammered. It can't be. "I... Di ba... Di ba p-patay ka na?!"
"Pinapatay mo ako?"
"But the cardiac monitor..." I said. But, I never got the chance to continue what to say when doctors enterd Nathan's room.
"EXCUSE ME-- Ma'am..." napahinto din yung mga doctor.
How can they not be? The cardiac monitor was still showing a straight and giving of a loud beep.
"What happened to the cardiac monitor?" I heard the nurse they were with asked.
"Ha?" sabi naman ni Nathan. "Connected ba yun sa something na nakalagay sa katawan ko?"
The nurse nodded.
"Tinanggal ko eh. Nangangati eh. Di ko alam na importante." dagdag pa ni Nathan.
...
Silence covered us. I saw tita Marian and Sam watching us by the door.
And when what Nathan said sinked in, there's only one thought running on my mind: what the heck is wrong with this idiot?!
"SIRA KA BA, NATHAN?! ALAM MO BA KUNG GAANO KAMIP NAG-AALALA TAPOS MINSAN MO LANG AALISIN YUNG SOMETHING NA SABI MO?! OO, SOMETHING KASI HINDI KO ALAM ANG TAWAG DUN PERO, BALIW KA BA?!!?" I screamed at him. No, really! How can he be such an idiot?!
"Iwan nyo po muna sila. Baka madamay pa tayo." I heard Sam say but I didn't looked over them.
"Relax lang mahal." Nathan said while trying to calm me. "I woke up but there's no one in the room. Kaya nga nadatnan mo akong natutulog kasi natulog ako uli."
"I don't care! How can you be such an idiot!?"
He stared at me. "Do you want me to die?"
"Of course not, you crazy idiot!" I screamed. I don't know but I just can't help but scream at him.
But, seeing him like this; alive and all, made my heart so happy.
But I really just can't stop making him realize how idiotic he is!
"I've been crying and begging you for days to wake up!"
"You were crying?"
Ay hindi man! "I've been waiting for you so that I can marry you again! I've been telling you that your son is waiting for you! I have already prayed to God and all the saints to wake you up but you'll just do something stupid as that! I've--"
"Gi,"
"WHAT?!?"
"Relax."
"How can I do--"
"Just marry me!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'MARRY ME' WHEN I'M STILL-- mad... at... you..."
Marry me.
Marry me.
He's asking me to marry him.
Asdfhgkhka.
Huh?
"She can't marry you." we turned and saw lolo (whenever did he arrived?!) and tita Marian eavesdropping at us.
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T MARRY HIM?!" I groaned. I mean, oh come on. I've beem waiting for him to tell me that for ages!
"Yeah. Why? What about my son?" tanong din ni Nathan. "We need to get married. Besides, we signed a contract before so we have to marry each other."
"Teka." I said slowly. "You know that Gian's your son?" I asked. Nathan nodded. "How?"
"You told me earlier. So that's why I really like him!"
"Oh." nasabi ko nalang. Ang dali lang maka-move on ng mokong.
"Anyway," Lolo grinned mischievously at us. "What Gianna signed was the original copy of divorce papers. What you signed was an agreement that you will never marry any other girl except Gianna. Aren't I too intelligent?"
I groaned. "Lolo naman eh."
Tita Marian made a face. "Hala. Yabang mo, kuya. Tinuruan lang kita."
"Shh. Wag ka nga." sita naman ni lolo.
But in the end, we just ended up laughing.
God, I'm so glad You didn't took Nathan away. I really am. I'm just so happy that I'm already satisfied.
"That's great. Let's get married again, Gi." Nathan told me while smiling.
I can't help but smile. But, I prevented myself from doing it. Pahirapan muna natin. Iyak palang ako ng iyak dahil sa kanya. "We're already married so why do I have to marry you? Isn't it a waste of money and time? We're married and that's that. It's already fine. We don't need to--"
And I found myself kissing Nathan. How I wonder how he can make me feel like I'm the most beautiful and most loved person in the world.
Oh, God. How I missed him.
"Shut up and marry me again, ok?" he told me after ending the sweet, short kiss.
I touched the tip of his nose. "Ok."
"I love you."
"I love you more."
"I love you to infinity and beyond." he smiled. I can't help but smile to. It feels like all the worry and pain were gone when I heard his voice earlier.
Napatingin ako nung marinig kong tumikhim si lolo. But, they were just smiling at us.
"Maiwan na muna namin kayo at nilalanggam na kami dito." tita Marian chuckled. "And, Gi. What I said was true, right? Happy endings don't exist because true love never ends."
I nodded in agreement for what she said was true. Happy endings will only exist in fairytales after all.
**
inuulit ko po, may Epilogue pa. XD