SEVEN AND ARROW (Montana Series 2 | BXB)

50: Hartwin

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I never thought Arrow would choose to end his life through euthanasia. I knew his illness was incurable, but the idea that he would decide for mercy killing was beyond my imagination.

"No, Arrow!" Tita Meryl blared. "Hindi ako papayag sa gusto mong mangyari. Alam kong mahirap ang kalagayan mo, pero hindi ito tama. Do you even know what we feel right now? We're trying our best to find a way, but you're giving up already?"

"Meryl, calm down," said Tito Ben, brushing her back.

"Ben, how could I calm down? My son is asking me to give him up, to give up his life! Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit ito para sa'kin bilang ina? I knew I made bad decisions in the past, but as a mother, I never asked for my son to suffer like this. Kung ito na ang karma ko, bakit hindi na lang ako ang nagkasakit?"

Bumuhos ang luha sa mga mata ni Tita Meryl. I listened with a heavy heart in each sob she made, and all I could do was stand there and watch the devastating moment.

"Arrow," she said in tears, holding her son's hand. "Mahirap, anak, alam ko. Pero huwag mong gawin 'to. Hindi mo dapat naiisip ang mga bagay na ganyan. You're still alive and breathing. You should remove the idea of giving up your life. Please, anak, nagmamakaawa ako."

I wanted to burst out my opinion, but Tita Meryl already voiced the things I wanted to say. Hindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ni Arrow, ngunit tutol pa rin ako sa nais niyang mangyari.

Dahan-dahang hinaplos ni Arrow ang communication board. We waited as he stroke his finger, giving us another message.

"P.....L.....E.....A......S.....E."

Lalo pang bumuhos ang mga luha sa loob ng kwarto, pilit inuunawa ang kagustuhan ni Arrow na tapusin ang sarili niyang buhay. I knew he didn't mean to end his life, but his suffering, but it's still unfair.

Patuloy lamang sa pagluha si Tita Meryl, samantalang si Arrow ay iniiwas ang tingin sa kanyang ina at tumingin na lamang sa bintana. The smile he kept showing us regardless of his illness suddenly faded. His eyes were firm, making me feel that we couldn't change his mind.

Sa buong araw ay hindi nawala sa aking isipan ang plano ni Arrow para sa kanyang buhay. Maging si Tita Meryl ay hindi na magawang bumalik sa office dahil sa pagaalala. Tito Ben was a doctor, and he should agree with Arrow's plan to undergo with euthanasia, but even him didn't like the idea.

When I told my friends about Arrow's decision, they immediately set a videocall.

"Don't ever agree with his plans, Seven!" Colton spat through my phone screen.

"Oo nga!" madiin namang sabi ni Maze. "Mahirap ang pinagdadaanan niya pero hindi tamang tapusin niya ang buhay niya ng gano'n lang."

"Actually, maging si Tito Ben ay hindi rin sang-ayon," sambit naman ni Dandrix na aking katabi.

"Dapat lang!" saad ni Audrey. "If I'm only there, I will difinitely nag Arrow for thinking that horrible idea!"

Ramdam ko ang magkahalong inis at pagaalala sa mukha at boses ng aking mga kaibigan. We wanted to understand Arrow's decision, but no matter which angle we looked at it, we're still not convinced that his decision was the right course of action.

"How's Tita Meryl?" asked Colton.

Himinga ako ng malalim bago sumagot. "Malungkot at iyak ng iyak. Nasa loob siya at kinakausap si Arrow."

"I hope she could still change his mind," said Audrey.

"Then let's go there and change his mind," suggested Maze.