Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 38

Kabanata 38

Breaking the Rocks

I woke up to the sound of an eerie machine. It was constantly beeping as if imitating my calm heartbeat. Dahan-dahan kong inimulat ang aking mga mata. A blinding light welcomed my confused mind. Isinara ko ulit ang aking mga mata at dahan-dahanng idinilat——iniiwasan na tumama iyon sa maliwanag na ilaw.

I saw a familiar figure on the couch nearby. Kumunot ang aking noo nang mapagtantong si Exodus iyon at isinisiksik ang sarili sa gilid habang ang pinsan ko at si Ayana ay nasa kabilang parte at natutulog.

What happened?

That was the question that kept running in my mind. Parang nanggaling ako sa mahimbing na pagkakatulog. Inaalala ko kung bakit ako nandito ngayon sa ospital at nakahiga sa hospital bed. I tried to sit up, careful not to make a sound but it seems like my soul was connected to Exodus that he was able to wake up in time to rescue me.

"Hey," bulong niya sa akin matapos niya akong maalalayan sa pag-upo.

I checked my arm for bruises but I found none. I'm still confused.

"What happened to me? B-bakit ka nandito? How long was I asleep?" Sunod-sunod ang aking ginawang pagtatanong. Seryoso ang mga mata ni Exodus sa akin.

"You've been out for a day. Nawalan ka ng malay after you've given CPR on Trisha."

"Trisha..." I uttered her name. Realization slowly crept into me as I gathered my thoughts. Nang dahil doon ay biglang bumalik sa akin ang nangyari kay Trisha. The vehicle, the driver, her blood and Trisha herself.

Nanginig ang aking kamay. My eyes were filled with horror as I stared at Exodus. "S-si Trisha! How is she?"

"You were both rushed into the hospital. She's safe now."

Kinagat ko ang aking labi. "H-her baby? I heard she's pregnant, Exodus. Kumusta ang baby niya?"

"The baby miraculously survived. Trisha received a fracture on the legs and ribs, and some scrapes and bruises. She's still unconscious however, the CPR that you gave her saved her life, according to the rescuers."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. I don't know what to do if ever Trisha loses her baby. Sadyang hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko kapag nangyari iyon.

I should have given it a thought when I planned to tell her what I saw and know. Sana pala ay mas pumili ako nang mas safe na lugar. If only I had known that she's pregnant, I would have been more careful. Ang iniisip ko lang kasi ay maiwasan ni Trisha na mas masaktan pa at tumagal ang panloloko ni Marcus sa kaniya.

She does not deserve all of this. I am at fault on why she's in the hospital right now and I almost endangered her baby.

Napuno kami ni Exodus ng katahimikan. Only the sound of the machine could be heard inside the four-walled room. Hindi ako makatingin nang diretso sa kaniya. I was feeling guilty that I did not tell him.

"You should sleep again. Alam kong pagod ka pa," aniya at inalalayan ulit ako sa paghiga. I was nervous, alright. Habang sinusundan ng mga mata ko ang kaniyang mukha ay hindi ko siya mabasa.

I wanted to speak and fill him in with what I know but my mouth wouldn't cooperate with me. Mas pinili kong tumahimik na lang muna at sundin ang gusto niyang gawin ko. I watched him as he pulled a chair and sat beside me.

My heart was at ease but I felt scared of what he's thinking right now. Nawala lang iyon nang hatakin ulit ako ng antok.

Nang magising ako ulit ay gising na rin sina Ayana at mukhang nagpapaalam na kay Exodus.  My cousin spotted me awake. Agad naman niyang sinabihan si Ayana na daluhan ako.