Even If It Means A War (Chaotic Series #1)

Kabanata 47

Even If It Means A War

Kabanata 47

I was trembling so hard. Marami akong natamong galos sa braso sa lakas ng pagkakasalpok ko kanina sa puno. The veins in my head were pulsating violently, and the throbbing ache was intense. But I'm more concerned about the elderly woman in the emergency room.

I hit the old lady on the road! Fuck!

I was sitting on a cool bench, praying that the elderly person I accidentally hit would be okay. I was in tears, fearing that my unintentional mistake might have cost someone her life. I was distracted by the car behind me na hindi ko na napansin na may tumawid pa lang matanda! It was too late to brake and steer my car away!

"Ate Yary!"

Nag-aalalang nilapitan ako ni Rems.

"Oh my god! Ang dami mong sugat! Ano bang nangyari?! Ayos ka lang ba?! Bakit nandito ka sa labas?!"

"Ayos lang ako. Rems, may nabangga ako," mangiyak-ngiyak kong sabi. "May nabangga akong matanda. H-Hindi ko sinasadya."

"Kritikal ba? Nasaan 'yung matanda?"

"Nasa emergency room pa," umiiyak kong sabi.

Pumasok si Simon na alala rin. Bago pa ni Simon matawagan si Zame, inunahan ko nang huwag na.

I'm fine. I can bear my bruises and wounds. Zame would worry, and I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to come home. I don't want to bother him just because of this.

Habang naghihintay sa balita ng doktor, nag-away pa kami ni Rems dahil ayokong papalitan ang benda sa aking noo. Sa huli, napapasok niya ako sa room at inasikaso ako ng nurse. The bandage couldn't absorb any more of the oozing blood. However, I'm not worried about myself. Mas ikahihimatay ko pa ang pag-aalala sa matanda.

Nagulat ako nang maya-maya, dumating si Papa at Ate Kris. Walang salita, niyakap agad ako ni Papa nang mahigpit. My hands braced against the bed as he embraced me forcefully.

"God... thank God you're okay," humiwalay siya sa akin at sinakop ng mga kamay ang aking pisngi. "How are you feeling, Yary? What hurts?"

Nagpasalin-salin ang tinginan namin ni Dad. His eyes were filled with concern. Sawi 'yon na tila nagpapakababa.

Lumunok ako at tumango, medyo gitla pa rin.

"I'm fine, Dad," I said in a small voice. "Nothing else happened to me. I'm not injured."

My head was spinning a bit but I can endure it.

Mababaw siyang tumango. Sa pagtango niyang 'yon, atsaka ko lang napagtanto ang pisikal niyang kaanyuan. He's aging. His wrinkles were already visible as I observed every angle of his face. Papa is growing older.

"Mag-iingat ka sa susunod," he ran his fingers along my arm to inspect the long and circular bruises. "Are you feeling any other pain?"

"Wala naman, Dad,"

"Leon."

We both turned our heads as someone speaks from behind. Hindi ko napansin na narito rin pala si Mom. Blangko ang kaniyang mukha habang pinagmamasdan akong may obserbasyon.

"Buy something for Yary to eat outside," ani Mama at walang ingay na naglakad tungo sa inuupuan kong kama.

Saglit pang hinaplos ni Papa ang braso ko atsaka umalis sa aking harap. . Mom took his place, now in front of me. She lowered her gaze to my arm. Dahang malalim ang kaniyang paghinga habang tahimik na sinusuri ang hitsura ko.