Remember (MaiDen Fanfiction) | Wattys 2019 Winner

Chapter XXIII

MENG opened her eyes. Pakiramdam niya ay napakahabang panahon siyang natulog. At kahit na kagigising lamang niya ay tila pagod na pagod siya.

Iaangat sana niya ang kamay nang maramdamang may nakahawak doon. She looked at the man who's holding her right hand. Tulog na tulog ito. Halata ang puyat dahil sa eye bags. She's wondering how long has he been there looking after her.

Dahan-dahan ang ginawa niyang pagbawi sa kamay para hindi ito magising. Ngunit isang galaw pa lamang niya ay nagmulat na agad ito ng mga mata. She looked away immediately. Naramdaman niyang pinakawalan nito ang kamay niya kaya ipinatong niya iyon sa ibabaw ng tiyan.

"How are you feeling?" tanong nito sa kanya.

Hindi siya sumagot. Pinili na lang niyang muling ipikit ang mga mata. Ayaw sana niyang makipag-usap muna. Lalo na ngayong bumalik na lahat ng alaala niya.

She's confused as to what she should feel. Hindi niya alam kung paano pakikitunguhan ang binata. Masyado pang magulo para sa kanya ang lahat.

"Maine," he called her. 'Yung tono ng boses nito ay tila malapit ng sumuko. It was like he was at the edge of a cliff, ready to jump anytime.

Hindi niya ito pinansin at nanatili lang na nakapikit. Ayaw niyang gawin ang bagay na 'to dahil sa huli alam niyang pagsisisihan niya pero wala siyang ibang choice. Ayaw na muna niya. Hindi pa sa ngayon.

"I want to explain my side. Why I turned to Julie even though I know that she's the one who ruined your relationship with my brother. It's because---"

She opened her eyes and looked at him. "I know that the reason was your nephew." She cut him off. "I just don't want to talk about that now. Just leave me alone. Pwede?"

It was harsh and she knew that. Ayaw lang talaga niya na pag-usapan iyon sa ngayon. She's hoping that they will understand her. Hindi niya pa kayang harapin ang lahat sa ngayon. She needs more time to absorb everything. Kasi kung ngayon, hindi niya maiintindihan kahit na ano pa mang gawing paliwanag ng kahit na sino sa kanya.

"Okay," he said in defeat. "I'll just wait for Paolo or Jake to come back then I'll leave."

Hindi na siya sumagot. She just kept looking at the walls of the hospital.

Tumayo si RJ at may kinausap sa cellphone. Base sa mga narinig niya ay ang doktor iyon. He was telling the doctor that she's already awake. Hindi na siya nag-abala pang pakinggan ang kung anumang sinasabi ng binata. As much as possible, she wants to be alone.

The door opened. Pumasok doon ang doktor, kasunod ang isang nurse. He looks a bit older than RJ. Siguro ay nasa early 30s ito.

The doctor smiled at her. "How are you feeling?" propesyunal na tanong nito. Bahagya na nitong tiningnan si RJ na nasa kabilang panig ng hospital bed. Napansin niya ang pagtaas ng sulok ng labi nito na tila nang-aasar.

"I'm good, Doc," she answered. "I just feel a bit weird. Para kasi ang tagal kong natulog that my back hurts."

He smiled. He has a perfectly white teeth. May dimples ito, both cheeks. More likely a Tom Rodriguez vibe. He looks and acts cool, too.

Sigurado siya na magiging bet ito ng Kuya at pinsan niya. She smiled at the thought.

He smiled wider. "You've been unconscious for four days. That's why." He explained.

"Four days?" Di makapaniwalang ulit tanong niya.

He nodded. "Let me just check your vision."

The doctor did what he had to do. He asked her several questions. May pinagawa na kung anu-ano sa kanya. Just to check if everything is okay.