January 2031
NAGPUNTA si Huffle sa opisina niya't sinabi ang plano nitong pagsama kay Crissa sa States. He was surprised.
"Sasama ka?" Ulit niya, "Are you sure?"
Tumango naman ito, "Theo, I can't let her stay here without doing anything. Hindi ko magagawa ito magisa and I need you with me..."
Hinawakan niya ito sa magkabilang braso, "Calm down, Baby. Okay, you want us to come with her... what are your plans?"
Huminga ito nang malalim, "We will both convince her to go and we'll both stay with her until its done"
He stilled, "We will convince... her? So, it means hindi pa siya payag?"
"T-Theo..." Her tears are already at bay.
"And will that be okay?" he asked, "Huffle, I know that you are friends and she has already accepted what's going on between us pero... seeing us together won't do her any good. She's still healing..."
"That's why I need your help"
Theo cupped her face and caressed it, "Okay. Fine. Let's do it your way, tell me everything..."
Tatlong araw.
Tatlong araw nilang kinumbinsi si Crissa na magpagamot. Tatlong araw itong tumatanggi at umiiwas sa lahat ng kakausap dito para magpagamot.
Until, "What do you want?" diretsang tanong ni Huffle rito, "Tell me what you want para magpagamot ka"
She sighed, "I just want a peaceful death, Huffle" anito habang naglilipat ng pages sa magazine, "Will you give me that?"
Umiling naman si Huffle, "No. Hindi iyon ang tinutukoy ko"
"Anong gusto mong gawin ko? Sabihin na gusto kong pumunta ng beach para makita ang sunset kagaya sa pelikula?" pauuyam nito, "kapag ba sinabi kong gusto ko sumakay sa kabayo papayagan niyo ako?"
"Iyon ba ang gusto mo?" tanong niya, "Kapag naisakay kita sa kabayo magpapagamot ka na?"
Ngumisi lang si Crissa, "Hindi niyo ba talaga ako titigilan?"
"Nope!" Huffle emphasized the letter P. Habang siya ay napapailing.
Crissa rolled her eyes, "Bagay nga kayong dalawa" she hissed, "Why not start to build a family? Mas maganda iyon!"
"Crissa!" Hindi na nakapagpigil si Huffle, "It's your life we are talking about here. Please, tell us what can we do! We are talking about time here"
"Fine" Sinarado nito ang magazine, "I have three requests, Huffle" ngumisi itong muli, "Kapag natupad mo ang isa, I'll go to States. Kapag nagawa mo ang pangalawa, magpapagamot ako"
"What's the third?" He asked. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Crissa. There's something in her eyes that speaks surprise.
What could it be?
"You'll know once the two wishes are done" She crossed her arm and leaned on the bed, "So, do we have a deal?" Nilahad nito ang kamay.
Nagkatinginan sila ni Huffle. The deal seemed pretty fair. Ano kaya ang hihilingin nito?
"Deal" Inabot ni Huffle ang kamay nito.
----
"Where are we going?" Tanong ni Crissa nang sunduin nila ito sa ospital. Pinayagan itong umalis ng doctor sandali pero agad babalik pagkatapos.
"First request, makasakay sa kabayong kulay puti" basa ni Huffle sa listahan na hawak. "May color talaga, ha?"
"I love white horses"
Nang malaman nila na iyon ang unang request ni Crissa ay agad silang namroblema. Why?
Tagaytay lang ang pinakamalapit na lugar kung saan may puting kabayo na pwedeng sakyan. They can't kidnap her and go to that place!
So, they had to think of a better solution.
"Okay, let's scratch this off the list" ani Huffle.
Nagtataka yata si Crissa nang dalihin nila ito sa mall, "Anong ginagawa natin dito?"
"Sasakay sa kabayo" Sagot ni Huffle habang tinutulak ang wheelchair nito. Nakakalakad naman si Crissa pero ayaw nilang mapagod ito nang masyado lalo na mahina ang katawan nito.
"At kailan pa nagkaroon ng kabayo sa mall?" She sarcastically asked, "Let's just go back to the hospital, or better yet, iuwi mo na lang ako--" naputol ang sinasabi ni Crissa nang makita ang tinigilan nila.
It's a carousel!
"Let's go?" Nilahad niya ang kamay rito, "This your chance!"
"Hi, Ma'am welcome. How many tickets po?"
"Two" ani Huffle at binayaran, "May puting kabayo ba kayo diyan?" tukoy pa nito sa carousel.
Nakita niya kung papaano namangha si Crissa. She didn't think Huffle could pull this off? Si Huffle pa ba?
"Yes, Ma'am! May pink pa po"
"Great!" Ngiti nito.
"Let's go" aniya, "Miss, aalalayan ko lang sila" aniya. Nauna si Huffle pumasok at naghanap ng puting kabayo.
Nang makatayo si Crissa ay inalalayan niya itong makasakay sa puting kabayo. Nang masigurong okay na ay si Huffle naman ang inalalayan.
"I'll just stand there" he said, "Pipicturan ko kayo, ha?" aniya.
Then the carousel turned. Napangiti siya nang makita ang dalawa na nakangiti. Then Crissa started to cry.
He took them a photo. Nilukob nang init ang puso ni Theo. They might have the unusal set up, but this is what God allowed them to experience.
Nagkaroon pa yata ng paguusap ang dalawa. He might not know what they're talking about, but his heart felt at peace.
"Naisahan niyo ako, ha?" sambit nito nang makababa sila. May kislap sa mga mata nito na halatado.
"It's a deal" He replied, "Did you have fun?"
Hindi maaming tumango naman si Crissa, "You're both impossible, nasabi ko na ba?"
Inalalayan niya itong umupo, "So, a deal is a deal, Crissa"
She sighed, "Fine"
Masayang masaya ang magulang ni Crissa nang mapapayag na nila itong pumunta ng States. They wasted no time. Agad na inasikaso ng ospital ang papers para rito.
On January 25th, they arrived at the States.
"Thank you, Theo.. Huffle.." Mrs. Germar said, "This meant so much to me, malaking bagay na nandito na ang anak ko"
"Tita, we still have to do the next deal with her" sambit ni Huffle, "because if we didn't she won't agree to do the medication"
Mrs.Germar nodded, "Alright, if there's anything that I could help you with. Just let me know"
Same as what they did on the Philippines. Pagkatapos maexamine si Crissa ay pinagpaalam nila muna itong muli. Her parents did pull some strings, masyado kasing mahigpit sa States.
"At saan naman tayo pupunta ngayon?" Tanong ni Crissa sa kanila nang isakay nila ito sa sasakyan, "It's freezing out here! Hindi niyo naman ako gustong patayin sa lamig?"
They chuckled, "Silly. Just stay put and we'll get there soon" he said.
"And these were your deals! Sinasamahan ka lang namin gawin!" Tugon ni Huffle, "Anyway, here we are!"
Nang bumaba sila sa sasakyan ay napakunot noo si Crissa ulit.
"Ice skating rink?" Tanong nito, "Why are we here? Kasama ba ito sa deal?"
"You said that you have experienced the snow many times but never tried to skate" aniya, "and that's what we will do now"
"What?" natigilan ito, "Baka matumba ako!" at bawal rito matumba.
"That's why we're here" sambit naman ni Huffle, "C'mon!"
Sinuotan niya ito nang skate shoes habang si Huffle ang nagkabit ng helmet dito (for safety purposes) Si Huffle ang nakaisip niyon. Paranoid lang.
"You're all set!" Sambit nito, "Let's go!" Magkahawak kamay si Huffle at Crissa na lumabas papunta sa ice skating rink.
"Hey bitches!" Napalingon sila nang makita si Catherine. Humabol nga ito! "Wait for me!"
"Cath!" Malalaki ang ngiti ng mga ito nang magkasama sama. He took his phone once again and snap them a photo.
Napuno nang asaran at tawanan ang tatlo. Mabuti na lang at wala masyadong tao sa rink ngayon.
"I'll just go to the comfort room" sambit ni Catherine nang matapos ang mga ito, "Crissa?"
"No, I'm okay. Dito na lang ako" Napagod yata ito sa nangyari kahit 30 minutes lang silang nag-ice skating.
"Sama na ako" sambit ni Huffle, "Theo, ikaw na muna bahala ha?"
"Of course. Sa sasakyan na lang?"
Tumango ang mga ito pagkuwa'y tinulak na niya papalabas ang wheelchair nito papuntang parking. Dahan-dahan niya itong sinakay sa backseat.
"You're okay?" he asked, "Did you have fun?"
"Why are you guys doing this?" tanong nito.
His brows furrowed, "Why not?"
"I'm not even worth it for you to save me..." she said, "Magsasayang lang tayo ng pera at panahon"
"I'm not saving you, Crissa neither Huffle" aniya, "We can't do that..."
"Then why are we here?" Tanong nito, "Para saan itong mga deals na ito? You wanted me to come here and agree to do the treatment"
He looked at her with sincerity, "To try" he smiled, "Gusto naming subukan na bigyan ka pa nang rason para lumaban"
"Theo, the sooner I'm gone. The faster they'll accept and move on" Paliwanag pa nito, "Iyang pagasa, minsan panira pa iyan. This is reality! I'm fine with the three things, Theo. Masaya na ako doon... I can go peacefully..."
Iniwas niya ang tingin, "Sabi ni Huffle, sa akin mo sasabihin ang pangatlo" he said, "What is it?"
She smiled and caressed his face, "Pakasalan mo ang kaibigan ko..." puno ng pagmamahal ang tinig nito, "That's my last deal, Theo. Be happy"
"Crissa..."
"It's about time" she said and held his hand, "Pakasalan mo ang kaibigan ko and make her the happiest woman in this world... and please, don't blame yourselves for what happened to me. Hindi ninyo kasalanan kung bakit ako mamamatay"
Hindi siya nakasagot. Naghahabilin na ba ito? Damn! He's not ready for this.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me, Theo. For the love that I didn't think I'll be able to feel before. Thank you for this opportunity to say goodbye..."
"Crissa..."
"Shhh" she kissed him in his cheeks and smiled, "I want to witness it, Theo. G-Gusto kong makita na masayang masaya ang dalawang taong nagpasaya sa akin ng lubos. Propose to her, you have the ring, right?"
He did.
"That's my last deal"
So, on the eve of January 28. He bended his one knee to the love of his life. And she said yes.
It was the happiest night of their lives. Little they didn't know, tomorrow will be another fall because on January 29, Crissa never woke up. She just died inside her parents arms.
Huffle's family came over to mourn with her and stayed until her cremation. Mabilis lang ang araw, hindi na rin gustong patagalin ng magulang ni Crissa dahil iyon daw ang hiling nito sa kanila.
"Huffle, pinapabigay pala ni Crissa sa'yo" Sambit ni Mrs. Germar, "T-Thank you so much for everything, I wish you both happiness" niyakap nito ang kasintahan maging siya.
Tahimik si Huffle nang makabalik sila sa hotel na tinutuluyan. Her family is staying in different hotel kaya ganun, ngunit kasabay na rin naman nila itong uuwi.
"Huffle?" nagising siya kinabukasan na wala ang nobya sa tabi, then he heard someone gagging on the toilet as if throwing up.
Agad siyang bumangon at tinignan ito, "Baby, are you okay?" nakaluhod na ito sa sahig at nagsusuka sa toilet bowl. Agad niyang dinaluhan ito, "M-May nakain ka bang hindi okay?"
Inabutan niya ito ng tissue. Sumandal ito sa kanya at tila hinang hina. Namumutla pa.
Umiling ito at tila may inabot sa ibabaw ng sink pagkuwa'y pinakita sa kanya ang isang maliit na parihabang box.
lt has two evident red lines.
"I-I'm pregnant" sambit nito. Nanginginig.
Nagkatinginan sila sa mata, both overwhelmed with the news. Napatingin siya bigla sa tiyan nito at masuyong hinaplos iyon.
"I-I'm scared..." they pressed their foreheads together, "I'm scared, Theo..."
He caressed her cheeks, "You don't have to, I'm here. Kaya natin itong dalawa." he kissed her lips and caged her in his arms.
--
"Buntis po ako" anunsiyo niya sa magulang at mga kapatid, "S-Seven weeks"
Halatang nagulat ang mga ito kaya naman agad niyang inakbayan si Huffle, "I'll marry her right away. Kung kinakailangan sa civil muna ay iyon ang gagawin namin"
Masama ang tingin ng mga kapatid nito sa kanya. Kailan ba hindi?
"C-Congratulations!" Salubong ni Tita Maricar sa kanila, "Pagkauwi na pagkauwi ay magpapacheck up tayo kaagad"
Tumango si Huffle, "Iyon po ang advice ng doctor dito nang magpacheck up kami" she said, "T-Thank you po for your support..."
Nagsilapitan sa kanya ang mga Kuya nito at hinawakan siya sa balikat. Damn.
"Kuya..."
"Alagaan mo ang kapatid namin" Banta ni Kuya Slyther, "Or you'll kiss hello to your new home at the jail"
"Kuya..."
"I've got the tickets!" Pumasok si Ate Daniella, kasama nito si Ate Abby, "Sad to say, Mahal. Hiwalay ang flight mo sa akin"
"Why?" Kunot noong tanong ni Kuya Gryffin, "Ako lang magisa?"
"Hindi, kayong mga boys" Sambit ni Ate Abby, "Same departure but different airlines. Iyon lang ang nakuha namin"
"It's okay, matatanda naman na iyang mga iyan" ani Tita Icang, "Ano ang flight details natin?"
"Our flight will be on February 2, tomorrow at 5 PM" Ate Ella said, "While the boys, February 3. Same time"
"Alright" Tita Icang said, "Mauna na muna kami. We'll still pack some things. Will you be fine here?"
"Yes, My" Huffle said and embraced them. Nang umalis ang mga ito ay agad siyang niyakap ng dalaga. Mahigpit na tila gustong sumiksik.
"Are my babies, okay?" Mapagmahal niyang tanong.
"Hindi tayo magkasabay?" Nalulungkot nitong sambit, "Gusto ko kasabay kita..."
He chuckled and kissed her head, "It will be just for a while, Baby"
"Ihhh," Daing nito, "Ayoko..."
"Kasama mo naman sila Tita" He said, "Pati ang mga Ate mo. They could be a lot of assistance since they got pregnant a lot of times"
"H-Hindi mo ako tatakasan, ha?" She pouted. So cute.
Hinalikan niya ang buong mukha nito hanggang sa makiliti. "Hindi ikaw ang tipong tinatakasan, Huffle" he said, "Ikaw ang tipong hinahanap and I will always find you"
"Promise?"
"Tomorrows are unpromised, Huffle" he said, "But, know this" he tucked the lose strands of her hair behind the ear, "Hangga't buhay ako, hinding hindi ako mawawala sa'yo. Okay?"
"Okay"
But it didn't happen. For their plane was highjacked that caused the crashed. He thought that he was saved.
Akala lang pala.