Behind That Mask

Family

KABANATA APAT

Ang sakit ng ulo ko. May naririnig akong mga boses ngunit hindi ko maimulat ang aking mga mata. 

"Kumusta siya dok?" Narinig ko ang boses ni Daddy.

"Okay naman ang vitals niya. We have to schedule her brain surgery as soon as possible. We lost a lot of blood." What brain surgery? 

Hindi ko mabuka ang aking bibig. Nanunuyo din ang aking lalamunan. Water. I need water.

"Do it doc. I can't lose my daughter. Please do your best." Naririnig ko ang iyak ni Mommy.

Anong nangyayari. Nasaan si Leo? Hindi ko marinig ang boses niya. Sumasakit na naman ang ulo ko.

Bigla akong inaantok. Hindi. Leo.

"Wake up baby. Mommy's here." I wanted too Mom, but I couldn't. 

"Nurse Vicky, prepare for the surgery room and call an anesthesiologist." I heard the voice say.

I don't want to sleep but my mind is spinning. Sinubukan kong alalahanin ang nangyari.

I remember a car crashed. A terrible one. It was the car that Leo rented for us when we landed in Cebu. Iyon ang huling bagay na naalala ko, pero nasaan si Leo?

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"Doc it's been eight days since the surgery. Kailan siya magigising?" Narinig ko ang boses ni Mommy.

Sinubukan kong buksan ang aking mga mata. Kailangan ko ng magising.

Come on!

"We just have to wait for Mr. Lopez. Naging maayos ang operasyon. We had removed the blood clot in her brain, she can't open her eyes or move her body but she can hear us. Have more faith. She's improving." I heard the doctor's response.

Yes I can hear you guys.

I need water. I'm so thirsty Dad. My head's okay, I think. No more headaches. But I can't feel my body. I'm all dumbed.

"Baby we love you. Please wake up. Gusto ka na makita ulit ng mga kapatid mo." I heard my Mom whisper in my left ear. I will try my best to wake up.

"Salamat Doc." I heard some footsteps.

"I'll be going Mr. Lopez. Kung may kailangan kayo, just push this button and Nurse Vicky will be here." Sabi ng doktor.

"Okay. Salamat ulit." sagot ni Daddy.

I still don't know what happened to Leo. Sana talaga ayos lang siya.

Narinig ko ang pagbukas at pagsara ng pinto.

"Hon, kailangan mo din magpahinga. Umuwi ka na, ako na muna ang bahala sa anak natin." Narinig ko si Mommy.

"No darling, I won't leave her side. This is my fault. I spoiled her too much. She could have died." I heard the sadness in my dad's voice. 

It's breaking my heart.

"Sshh. You spoiled her because you love her. This is not your fault. Yung Leo Montes na ‘yon ang may kasalanan nang lahat ng ito. If he didn't kidnap her, this wouldn't have happened to her. My only daughter." I heard Mom cry.

Hindi. Hindi niya ako pinilit. No Mom, don't blame him.

"Our lawyer already filed a case against him. Cindy is still a minor. The court will be on our side." Dad said.