Mountains To Cross

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Hindi ko alam kung paano mo iintindihin ang mga ganoong klaseng desisyon. Hindi ko alam kung saan magsisimula. Paano ka iintindi? Paano mo tatanggapin? I cannot seem to understand how cruel Tito Havriel is by saying that to his friends and to his family. How do you even accept death? It's probably easy for the person who wants to succumb to death but how about the people who loves them?

"Please respect my decision."

"Havriel!" Mommy exclaimed this time. Tumayo siya, puno na ng luha ang mga mata, "The least thing you could do for us is to fight for you!"

"I will still die, no matter what I do, Taline!" Tito said.

"Pero paano kung hindi?" Mommy asked, "Paano kung gumana ang gamot? Paano kung gumana ang operation? We have the means and the money to help you, kahit saan at kahit anong proseso. Hav, paano kung gumaling ka? Paano kung may paraan naman para hindi ka mamatay?"

"Do you think that I want this?" Tito Hav asked her back, "Do you think that I want to leave Tiara alone?"

Napatingin ako kay Tita. Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata habang lumuluha. She held onto Tito's wrist. Kitang-kita ko kung paano hinawakan ni Tito ang kamay niya, "Do you think that I want to leave Tain and Tanya? O kayo? Ang akala niyo ba, madali para sa akin na iwan kayo? But, Taline, kahit anong ipagawa niyo... there is no cure for this... I am just hurting Ara more once I do that..."

Umiling si Tita.

"It will be more painful..." He said.

"Hav..." Mommy sobbed, "Mahal ka namin..."

Tumayo si Tita Ara nang biglang nag-nosebleed si Tito Havriel. Napatayo rin si Tain at umalalay. The night ended with that.

Umakyat na si Tito dahil kailangan na niyang magpahinga. It is evident that he's sick when you look at him. He's a very active person, even in simple conversations, pero ngayon ay halata na mabilis siyang mapagod.

"Hindi mo sinabi na umuwi ka na..." Tain said. Naiwan kami sa balcony ng bahay nila. Gabi na pero hindi pa sila nag-aaya na umuwi. Daddy and the other Titos remained and talked to each other. Kanina pa sila nag-uusap. Hindi kami kasama doon. We will never understand how hard this is for them, anyway.

"Sorry," I gave him a quick smile. He smiled back. Tain pulled me closer to him for a tight hug. Yumakap ako pabalik sa kanya, "Tain..."

"Let's stay like this for a while." He whispered. Hindi na ako sumagot.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga tamang salita na dapat sabihin sa kanya. I want to comfort him but I know that it won't be enough dahil kahit anong sabihin ko dito, it won't change the fact that he's about to lose his father. No words can lessen the pain.

"Tain..." Sampung minuto yata ang lumipas bago ako nakapagdesisyon na magsalita. Humiwalay kami sa yakap at tumingin ako sa kanya.

"Sorry," He lightly chuckled, "I just... needed it tonight..."

"Let's get married..." I told him, "A civil wedding. Or a small one. Whatever is easier to do."

"Risela..." He called, "We don't have to get married immediately for this... we-"

"Tain..." I stopped him from talking, "I want you to not regret anything. And besides, we will still get married in the future. Ngayon... o sa mga susunod pang taon, it won't make a difference for us. But for you, as a son, it will."