Hoax (VBoys Series #1)

019

EUNICE

"Here, eat this. You should eat a lot para gumaling ka na." nakangiting sabi ko kay Dain.

It's been a few days, and Dain has finally gotten out of the PICU. Though he's still admitted in the hospital, it's way better than before. Matapos ang platelet transfusion niya ay mabilis ding bumuti ang kalagayan niya. He only needs to rest for a few more days.

"I'm full, Ate." Dain said, waving his hands in front of the plate, a sign that he didn't want to eat more.

Even after the revelation that happened a few days ago, about Dain being an illegitimate child, walang naging pagbabago sa pagtrato namin sa kaniya. For years, I've treated him as my brother, and I don't regret that. Meeting Dain was among the wonders I've experienced in my life.

I also told Tito Denver what I've learned. I wanted to cry when I saw him crying in pain nang malaman niyang pakana iyon ng asawa, but he assured me that he'll still willingly take care of Dain. Sabi rin niya, he'll adopt him once he gets better. By then, Dain will officially be his son and Jaiden's brother.

"What do you want to do now? Do you want to sleep?" alok ko kay Dain matapos kong ligpitin ang pinagkainan niya.

"Okay." he answered, yawning.

I smiled before tucking him into bed. He's comfortable in the hospital now, maybe because of how long he's been here. Bilib nga ako dahil wala na lang sa kaniya tuwing ini-injection-an siya. He's grown to be a brave and smart kid. It hurts to think about the situation he is in right now.

If only they never faulted...

"Kailan daw makakalabas ng ospital si Dain?" Indigo curiously asked, seated on my kitchen island. Naka-Indian sit pa.

We were at my condo again, just like always. Si Indigo na lang ang natatakbuhan ko tuwing may problema, and it's one of the reasons why I'm lucky to have a her as my friend. She never left my side.

"In a week or two, puwede na raw siyang i-discharge. Depende na lang kung sisigla na siya sa mga susunod na araw." kuwento ko as I leaned on the island.

"Kawawa naman ang bebe," she pouted before drinking her Yakult, then she looked at me with her brows furrowed. "Hindi niyo talaga siya kapatid?"

Inilingan ko siya, hawak-hawak lang ang bote ng Yakult ko. "Hindi ko siya kadugo, hindi rin niya kadugo si Jaiden. Meaning, puwede—"

"Puwede na kayong magkabalikan ni Jaiden!" malakas na sigaw ni Indigo.

Nanlaki kaagad ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. "Huh?!"

She started making hand gestures. "Eh, 'di ba, si Dain lang naman ang dahilan kung bakit hindi kayo magkabalikan? Ngayong proven nang hindi niyo siya kapatid, puwedeng-puwede na kayo ni Mars Jaiden!"

"Anong 'mars'? Tumigil ka nga," saway ko. "At saka, magkabalikan? Sinong may sabing gusto naming magkabalikan?"

"Weh, ayaw mo?" Indigo teased. "Ano ba, arte naman nito. Ayaw mo bang magkabalikan kayo ni Jaiden? Kayo na kaya ang itinadhana para sa isa't-isa!"