Castle Walls | Vicerylle

Moments

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This chapter is dedicated to Noreen (@NoreenJavei), Cleo (@iamCrowee) & Shane (@InspiredByVice)

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Karylle is now on her third trimester of her pregnancy. She's exactly 7 and 1/2 pregnants now. Pabalik balik sila sa hospital ni Vice dahil gusto nga nito ng regular check ups to make sure na everything is going well with her baby. Nagtaka naman si Vice dahil alam nitong hindi naman dapat ganun kadalas magpa appointment for check ups, but still, pinagbigyan nya na ang asawa nya since pareho din naman silang nag aalala given Karylle's cancer before.

During one of their appointments, Karylle ran into Dra Bustamante again. Karylle asked Vice to go ahead na sa kotse para makausap nya yung doctor nya. Dra Bustamante led K into her office at dun sila naupo para mag usap.

"You look well K." sabi ni Dra Bustamante.

"Do you think I can go through labor like this doc?"

"K, I told you that I'm not worried about your baby, sa'yo ako mas worried. Your body, masyado ng strained, you're ill Karylle. You need help. Let me help you."

"Help me by making sure that magiging okay ang baby ko doc." sabi ni K at hinawakan ang dalawang kamay ni Dra Bustamante.

Tumango si Dra Bustamante at binigyan ng sympathetic look si Karylle, "Karylle, there's still a 25% chance na makaka survive ka. Don't lose hope."

"I know Doc, hindi naman po talaga eh."

"I know you don't want to take meds for your cancer, but please, just this one medication to help with your fatigueness. I promise, it won't affect your baby." sabi ni Doc at may sinulat sa prescription pad nya.

"Thank you Doc, I'll take it, I promise."

"Hindi pa napapansin ng asawa mo yang kondisyon mo?"

"I just say it's the pregnancy." sabi ni Karylle at tumayo na to leave, "Thank you so much for your help again."



-.-.-.-.-.-



One week later ay nakaupo si Karylle sa may garden while watching Parker na nag s-swimming with some of his school friends. She was on her laptop organising a scrapbook na gusto nya sanang ipa-print. Gusto nya lang maging prepared at mainform si Vice sa posibleng mangyari sa kanya. After scanning through the photos ay hindi nya napigilang maiyak na naman, she tried so hard para itago ito from Parker pero being the clever and curious kid that he was, nilapitan nito ang mommy nya.

"Mom?" sabi nito habang dina-dry ang sarili with his towel.

"Hey baby." sabi ni Karylle at pinunasan agad ang mga luha nya sa pisngi, "Go back there and swim with your friends, mommy's fine."

"But you're not fine mommy," sabi ni Parker na tiningnan si K and then yung laptop where it displayed a picture of them during their wedding sa Venice. All three of them were pulling a silly face, wacky shot daw kasi, "Did daddy make you cry?"

"Haha," K laughed softly and then kiniss forehead ni Parker, "Hindi anak, daddy's done nothing wrong. Masyado lang emotional si mommy mo because of your little sister I think."

"Hopia is making you cry? But... But she's not here yet."

"She's here honey." sabi ni K na pabulong, "She can hear you, you know." sabi ni Karylle at nag ssh kay Parker.

"Is she kicking you?"

"Actually, oo. Do you wanna feel? Give me your hand." sabi ni Karylle at kinuha ang kamay ni Parker and placed it on top of her big bump.

"Oh! Wow. That's so cool!" sabi ni Parker na nag grin at tumawa, "I can't wait to meet my baby sister mommy!"

"I'm sure she feels the same Parker." sabi ni Karylle at sabay ginulo ang wet hair ni Parker, "Go back there na baby, Rhod is waiting for you o!"

"But mommy you were crying eh." sabi ni Parker at nalungkot din.

"I just can't imagine life without you and your daddy kasi."

"Why? Where you going?"

"Nowhere." K dismissed the idea at ngumiti na lang.

Parker looked confused pero he went on his tiptoes at kiniss si Karylle sa cheek, "I love you mommy."

"I love you more Parker." sabi ni Karylle at kiniss back si Parker sa ilong nito at niyakap ng mahigpit, "You'll always be my baby and my pinaka love na pogi."



-.-.-.-.-.-

Another week later... 8 months pregnant na si Karylle.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?" tanong ni Vice habang hinahatak sya ni Karylle papunta sa kotse. Pagpasok nila sa kotse ay inutusan na ni Karylle yung driver para mag drive.

"Manong, let's go na po."

"Karylle, sabihin mo nga sa'kin kung saan tayo pupunta ng hindi ako nag aalala ng ganito." sabi ni Vice na tiningnan ng seryoso si Karylle.

"Where it all started."

"Ha?" tanong ni Vice na kumunot ang noo.

"Sa Batangas... Sa Pico De Loro"

Unti unting natanggal yung pagkunot ng noo ni Vice dahil naintindihan nya yung sinasabi ni Karylle.

"Doon tayo nagkakilala... Nung 2005 diba?"

"Galing naman! Natandaan mo pa!" sabi ni Karylle at natawa lightly.

"Eh bakit nga? Anong okasyon? Monthsary ba? Hindi naman ah, may 12 days pa." sabi ni Vice while counting in his head.

"You'll find out soon," K patted his arm, "Tulog muna tayo." she said at hinatak ang ulo ni Vice to lean on her shoulder.

"Mali mommy, ganito," sabi ni Vice at tinanggal yung ulo nya from K's shoulders to put K' s on his shoulder, "Perfect."

Di na rin nag complain si Karylle at yumakap sa braso ni Vice to get herself more comfortable.



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Habang naglalakad sila sa shore ng beach ay tahimik na tahimik si Karylle. She only spoke nung tumigil sya sa isang spot where perfect ang view ng sunset. Vice stopped din at inakbayan sya and then smiled down at her.

"Ang ganda naman dito misis." sabi ni Vice.

Ayaw ng patagalin pa ni Karylle kaya naman humarap sya kay Vice at hinawakan ang dalawang kamay nito, "Vice, I'm sorry."

"Ha? Ba't ka nag so-sorry? For bringing me here? K, alam kong sinabi kong pagod ako, pero walang pag sisisi noh."

"Hindi Vice... It's not about that."

"Sige, hayaan na lang kita magsalita. Tahimik na lang muna ako." Vice said at ngumiti na lang.

"I've been lying to you..."

Vice frowned.

"Actually, it's more like I didn't tell you the truth."

"Tungkol saan?"

"Vice, I brought you here for a reason." sabi ni Karylle as she tightened her grip on Vice's hands.

"Go on..." sabi ni Vice na litong lito na.

"We met here so I want us to part ways here."

"Karylle ano bang pinagsasasabi mo?!" bumitaw bigla si Vice sa hawak ni Karylle at binigyan ng masamang tingin si Karylle, "Hindi nakakatawa yang mga biro mo!"

"Kapag wala na ako, gusto ko dito nyo ikalat ang abo ko."

"Stop!" tinakpan ni Vice ang mga tenga nya, "Hindi totoo yan!"

She nodded her head to say yes.. Vice shook his head along with her at bigla na lang tumulo ang luha nya. Karylle reached to touch his face pero tinulak ni Vice mga kamay nito palayo at tumakbo. To where, hindi na alam ni Karylle.

Karylle held onto her baby bump habang umiiyak na rin at nakatingin sa sunset, "I'm sorry Baby Hopia... Mommy is so sorry."



-.-.-.-.-.-



Mga 9:00PM na ng makabalik si Karylle sa bahay nila. She went into Parker's room to check him at naabutan nya itong pinapatugtog yung guitar nya. She went to sit next to Parker on the bed at niyakap na lang bigla ang anak.

"Why are you always crying?" tanong ni Parker at binaba ang gitara to hug Karylle back.

"Mommy just needs a hug from her favorite man in the world." sabi ni Karylle at umiiyak na hinigpitan lalo ang yakap kay Parker, "I love you baby."

"Mommy tell me what's wrong." sabi ni Parker na nag pull away at parang naiiyak na rin.

Bago pa makapag salita si Karylle ay nag burst through the door si Vice na umiiyak rin at hinatak si Karylle patayo para mayakap ito ng sobrang higpit.

No words were needed. The two just stood there hugging in each other so tightly despite Karylle's bump. Parker watched his parents hug it out while crying their eyes out. Para sa mata ng bata syempre wala syang maintindihan dahil wala pang ine-explain sa kanya either si Vice or Karylle. Ang alam ni Parker ay his mother is in pain, and hindi nya alam kung paano ito pasayahin.

"Kurba?" sabi ni Vice na nag pull away at sumingot. He stared at K's face at pinag hahalikan ito sa mukha, cherishing each kiss he placed on her face.

"Where have you been?" K asked habang pinupunasan yung mga luha sa mukha ni Vice, "Nag alala ako sa'yo."

"I went to see Dra Bustamante. She told me everything... Karylle naman eh." sabi ni Vice at napayuko sabay pag tulo ulit ng mga bagong luha nito.

"I'm so sorry." sabi ni Karylle at niyakap ang nakayukong si Vice.

"Daddy, mommy..." nag bitiw muna sina Vice at Karylle at sabay hinarap si Parker. The kid was in tears as well.

Karylle reached her arms to him at yumakap din ang bata sa kanya, "Mommy, are you still sick?"

"Hush baby." sabi ni Karylle. Vice went on his knees at pinahinto din sa pag-iyak si Parker by rubbing his back and by whispering "Tahan na pogi." sa bata.

"Mommy are you gonna die?"

Karylle and Vice looked at each other na parang unsure sa sasabihin sa bata.

"Mommy, you said you won't! Daddy you said you won't let that happen!!!" sabi ni Parker na nakatingin kay Karylle and then kay Vice. He frowned at Vice and tinulak ito lightly habang umiiyak, "You lied daddy!!! Why did you lie!!!" sabi nito habang tinutulak parin si Vice papalayo.

Vice pulled Parker in at niyakap ito kahit pilit syang nilalayo ng anak nya. Habang pinapanood ang mag-ama nya, Karylle suddenly felt a wave of dizziness kaya napahawak ito sa may bedside table ni Parker at dahan dahan na umupo sa kama ni Parker.

"Mommy?!" sabi ni Parker na nag alala bigla at lumayo kay Vice. Vice jumped up automatically din at tinabihan si Karylle.

"Karylle?" Vice wrapped an arm around her shoulder para suportahan ito.

"Vice, I..." sabi ni Karylle bago ito tuluyang mawalan ng malay.

Tumayo naman si Vice at binuhat ito para dalin sa hospital, he asked Parker to stay na lang sa bahay kasama ang mga kasambahay nila. Kahit anong pilit ni Parker ay nagpaiwan na lang ito dahil nag aalala din sya kung mapapano mommy nya. Huling bilin ni Vice sa mga katulog na tawagan ang pamilya at mga close friends nila to let them know about what happened to Karylle.

"Mommy.."

Parker was left standing sa door way habang pinanood yung daddy nyang mag drive off ng mabilis paalis ng bahay. The kid frowned at pinasok ng yaya nya na lang sa loob.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Pagdating sa hospital ay agad naman ni-rush si Karylle sa ER para matingnan ito. Vice waited outside the room na nakasandal sa pader at nakatingin sa floor na tila nag dadasal. He was there by himself for some minutes until may nag tap sa balikat nito at niyakap sya.

"Kuys," sabi ni Billy na kadarating lang kasama sina Vhong at Anne.

"We came as soon as we can." sabi Anne at nilagay ang kamay nya sa balikat ni Vice.

"Salamat." sabi ni Vice at nag pull away from Billy, "Kuys," sabi ni Vice kay Vhong at nakipag hand shake ito.

"Wala pa bang balita?" tanong ni Vhong kay Vice at umiling lang ito.

"What about K's family?" sabi ni Anne na sinusubukan tawagan isa man lang sa kapatid ni Karylle, "Hello, Coco?" sabi ni Anne at nag excuse muna sa tatlo.

"What happened?"

"Wala akong alam sa nangyayari Kuys... Hindi nya sinabi sa'king bumalik yung sakit nya."

"But that operation?"

"It didn't work... The tumour spread in other parts of her body even after the operation." sabi ni Vice na umiiling.

"Hindi nya sinabi sa'yo?"

"Hindi eh." sabi ni Vice na inis na inis sa sarili nya, "I should have known Vhong. Bakit kasi ang tanga tanga ko."

"No Vice... You should blame me."

Napatingin naman ang tatlo kay Anne na naka cross ang arms at naiiyak, "I knew."

"What?!" sabi nina Billy at Vhong. Vice just stared at Anne coldly.

"I'm sorry... She didn't want me to tell you, I promised K na I wouldn't say anything so I didn't." sabi ni Anne at yumuko, "Now it might be too late."

Naawa naman si Vhong kay Anne kaya niyakap nya ito bigla para tumahan. Billy patted her back while Vice just stared at the ER door with emptiness sa mga mata nito.

-

A few more minutes later ay dumating na yung pamilya ni Karylle. Her parents were there and her two sisters, Coco and Zia. Niyakap agad ni Ms Zsa Zsa si Vice while si Billy and Vhong naman ay kausap yung dad ni Karylle. Anne, Zia and Coco all shared comfort with each other habang nag hihintay ng resulta sa kalagayan ni Karylle at ng dinadala nitong bata.

-

Mga ten minutes pa ang lumipas bago may lumabas ng tao from the ER at nilapitan sina Vice.

"Relatives for Ana Karylle Viceral?"

"Yes, kami nga po." sabi ni Ms Zsa Zsa na katabi si Vice.

"How's my daughter?! Is she going to be okay?"

"Hard to tell at this point Sir, pero we need to induce her labor as soon as possible, mahina na po ang katawan ng patient."

"What do you mean Doc?" tanong naman ni Anne na naka kunot ang noo.

"She might not make it."

Halos gumuho ang mundo ni Vice ng marinig ang huling sinabi ng Doctor. He punched the wall beside him at umalis muna para pakalmahin ang sarili.

Bago pa makatungo si Vice sa pupuntahan nya ay tumigil sya ng may makitang bagong ina-admit sa ER. Isang batang namukaan nya agad agad kahit duguan ang buong katawan nito.

"No..."





-.-.-.-.-

A/N: Okay... Breathe. Put your daggers, knives, guns, hard items away... FIRST OF ALL... I wrote an epilogue since the supposed to be ending was too long and lacked a bit. Epilogue will be published din naman sa November 12 like the ending dapat. Next UD will on November 9. 

Hmm.... So what do you think? [nervous laugh]

But seriously. Sobrang mahal ko  kayo. Your support is way more than I expected talaga. I'm so grateful sa lahat po ng sumusuporta hanggang ngayon :')