Second Chances

CHAPTER FIVE

Daniel's POV

Since that day, hindi na 'ko bumalik ulit sa Jones Bridge. I can't help but reminisce about what happened. Hindi ko alam kung ano pumasok sa isip ko at bakit ko naisipan tumalon sa tulay.

Baka tinamaan lang ako ng alak....

It was never my intention to end my life just like that. I mean, I admit that I've been having a hard time lately and there are times when I just feel like running away from all my problems. Sometimes, I even feel like just wanting to end things para mapadali ang buhay ko at hindi na maging pabigat sa ibang tao but then again, what I'm going through right now, everything that has led me to this point shouldn't lead to me to the point where I have to give up even my own life.

Nahihirapan ako pero hindi ibig sabihin gusto ko na agad sumuko.

I still want to make up for things that I've done. I want to make things right.

Which is why I tried visiting Dannilyn. Well, more likely sneaking my way inside the hospital without Dad seeing me.

"Dad's doing an on going operation," Sabi ni Kuya Dylan nang makapasok kami sa room ni Dannilyn. "You can stay here for a while. I'll let you know kapag parating na si Dad."

"Don't worry, Kuya. I won't be long. Aalis din ako agad. Gusto ko lang makita si Dannilyn." Mahinang sabi ko habang nakatutok sa kapatid kong natutulog.

He nodded. "Okay. I'll be outside." He left the room, leaving me and my sleeping sister.

I slowly approached Dannilyn and held her free hand that wasn't attached to the machines. She had a bandage wrapped around her head and oxygen in her mouth. Her eyes are closed shut and seeing her right now makes me reminisce about the times when we used to play together.

She's only 7 years old yet here she is....fighting even at her critical condition.

And here I am...nearly about to give up because of the consequences I've done.

"Hi, lil Danni," I spoke softly and stroked her hair. "I'm sorry. Kasalanan ni Kuya kung bakit nandito ka ngayon. I don't know how I'm gonna make it up to you and Dad. Galit na galit sa 'kin si Dad dahil sa ginawa ko. But it's okay. I understand. Kahit ako galit sa sarili ko," I said, tears slowly welling up in my eyes yet I smiled. "But don't worry. I'm going to make things right. Babawi ako sa 'yo, kay Mom, kay Dad, and everyone I've disappointed,"

"So, please. Gumising ka na. So, we could play together again." Tumulo ang mga luha ko at pinatong ko ang noo ko sa likod ng palad niya.

I wiped my tears and took a breath a few times, calming myself. I couldn't bring myself to cry in front of my sister. I don't deserve to cry.

Instead, I silently and internally prayed to God. Please, God, don't take my sister away but help her get better. Please. Don't let her suffer from my faults. She didn't do anything. If there's anyone who should suffer, it should be me. Just make my sister better. Please. I promise babawi ako sa lahat ng kasalanan ko. I'm sorry for turning away from you. I'm going to make things right just please help my sister.  

I opened my eyes and raised my head to Danni. I let out a heavy sigh as heavy as my heart. That's the first time I've prayed after a long time. 

"You know, Danni," A small smile crept on my lips while playing with her little fingers. "There's this new place that your Kuya Theo's parents built. Parang siyang park pero it's near by the river. Diba I promised you before that someday, we'll get to play near the waters. Guess what, Danni? We'll get to do that very soon! Kaya dapat, gumaling ka agad at gumising ka na."