Brave the Storm (La Familia Series #1)

Chapter 32

"How are you?" a familiar voice asked. I've heard this question over and over again after dad's death pero my replies were all the same, 'Okay lang'. 

But hearing this from him right now, sounding so calm and... caring, it tapped the emotions I unknowingly buried. 

"I don't know," I honestly answered. Di ako tumingin sa kanya at nanatiling nakatingin sa langit. Ramdam ko na yung mga luha ko na nagbabadya na tumulo.  

"It has been 7 months, Kirsh," he said like I didn't know that. Bahagya akong natawa sa sinabi niya. Bilang na bilang ko ang araw since that day, and ever since then hindi nawala si Cove sa tabi ko. 

After his shift sa hospital, aantayin niya ko. Ihahatid ako sa bahay, uuwi siya, kinabukasan nandon na agad siya sa tapat ng bahay namin, with food in his hand. A smile will always be plastered on his face that I once find it annoying. Kahit wala akong reaksyon patuloy siya sa pag ngiti. 

"I already packed you some food. This is for you, Tita, and for Kais. I also labeled them accordingly. Kakainin mo na lang talaga 'to, Kirsh. Please do so, okay?" Again, those smiles! 

I uttered my thanks bago kinuha sa kanya yung food. Di ko alam bakit niya 'to ginagawa. This feels like charity. Kahit si mom sinasabihan na siya na wag na mag-abala pero okay lang daw sa kanya. 

"What time will your shift be over?" he asked that one time na hinatid niya ako sa ospital, daily routine niya na ata 'to. 

"Bukas pa ng hapon. Wag mo na ko sunduin kaya ko naman umuwi mag-isa. May shift ka rin that time." Pero he just smiled. Bakit nanaman? Kelan niya pa ba naging hilig ang ngumiti?

"I can always find time for you. Magsabi na lang agad ako kay Doc. It'll be fast anyway." He then unbuckled his seatbelt, got out of the car, and opened the door for me. 

This time tinignan ko siya ng seryoso. I didn't get out of the car kahit na he bop his head, signaling me to get out. 

"Ano? Mal-late ka na sa shift mo, Kirsh," sabi niya. 

"What are you doing, Cove?" I asked na ikinatawa niya. 

"Obviously, I'm opening the door for you and waiting na bumaba ka na riyan." But I did not laugh. Doon sumeryoso rin ang mukha niya, like he gets what I'm really trying to ask. 

"I don't want to jump to conclusion, Cove. We're not some teenagers. That's why I'm asking you directly. What are you doing? Alam kong mabait ka pero to this extent? Bakit? Do you pity me and my family?" Upon hearing that question agad siyang napailing. 

"No, Kirsche. Of course not. Bakit ko kayo kakaawan?" tanong niya na tila gulong-gulo at nainsulto sa tanong ko. 

"Then why are you so nice? Packing us food, hatid-sundo sa akin, bonding with Kais and Mom, even checking up on me sa mga co-workers ko. Why, Cove?" I asked dahil I do not want any more problems. 

I'm still not over about what happened to dad at kung balak niya dumagdag ay baka di ko na kayanin. 

He unbuckled my seatbelt, he held my hand, and guided me na bumaba sa sasakyan. He made me face him. His look soften and the way he looks at me ay tila parang bagay na babasagin. 

"Listen carefully to what I'm about to say, Kirsche," and that caught my attention. Parang kusang akong napasunod sa hinahon ng boses niya. "Una sa lahat, di ko kayo kinaaawaan ng pamilya mo. I know what it feels to lose someone you treasure so much. Believe me, I was there." Napakunoot ang noo ko sa sinambit niya. 

Did he lose someone he treasures? Oh ghad. 

"You loss someone you treasure?" I interrupted him. 

"Yes, but please listen to me first. I just want to be there for you. I just want to know how you were doing, kung kumakain ka ba sa tamang oras or if you're eating anything at all. I want to know how Tita is coping, and how Kais is doing. I want to make sure that in this time of great loss, there will be someone by your side. Was it so selfish of me na gusto ko ako yung tao na yun?" his eyes were desperate for an answer but I just stared back, "I just want you to know that I am here, that I'm finally here." Those words brought me to tears. 

He's finally here. 

He reached for my hand as he looked at me, tears welling in his eyes, "I am here now, Kirsh. And I don't have any plans to go anywhere." With that tears streamed down my face. 

He then reached to hug me. I buried my face in his chest, and there I cried. I felt his shoulders shaking as his hug tightened as if he was scared to lose me. The parking lot was filled with my cries and his.