Seventeen

Chapter 32

Chapter 32 : "Fireworks."

I woke up a little more cheerful than usual this morning despite of the fact that I wake up early, maybe because I was excited for New Year's countdown that will happen this night. I also had a great time talking with my father over breakfast this morning. After talking to him I decided to start unboxing the Christmas gifts that I received. I got new pair of cute strawberry designed sneakers from Kuya Ivan, butterfly designed mugs from lola, knitted sweaters from lolo, hand-written letters from Rachelle and lastly, seashells accessories from Kuya Trek and Trevor. At naalala ko pa na kaagad kong sinuot ang isa sa binigay sa'kin ni lolo na sweater because I think they're really cute, same with the starfish designed hair clips that Kuya Trek and Kuya Trevor gave.

I also talked with Theo for hours over the phone that morning, making my morning blissful than it already is.

Everything is perfect that morning until I received a call from Kuya Ivan saying that they rushed lolo to the hospital.

I don't know what happened all I know is that I hastily went to the hospital the moment Kuya Ivan ended the call. Hindi ko na rin halos alam kung paano ako nakapunta sa hospital ng ganon mabilis. I was oblivious with everything around me that moment, ang gusto ko lang ay makita si lolo. Nang makita ko si Kuya Ivan at lola no'n ay hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili ko na maluha. I hate hospitals. I hate being here. Pakiramdam ko sa tuwing nandito ako sa lugar na 'to may mawawala sa'kin.

I was trembling and sweating bullets while waiting for the doctor to tell us about Lolo's condition. After hours of waiting, lumabas na ang doctor sa ER. He explained everything. He said medical terms that I didn't understand while explaining lolo's condition that's why I just patiently wait for him to say that my grandfather is now fine and we shouldn't worry anymore. Natigil lang ang panginginig ng buo kong katawan dahil sa kaba ng sabihin ng doctor na maayos na ang kalagayan ni lolo at maaari na itong ilipat sa private room.

"Sweetheart, you need to eat something.." pakiusap sa akin ni Dada habang nakapatong ang kamay niya sa kaliwa kong balikat.

I shook my head then I gently squeezed lolo's hand. Nakaupo ako ngayon sa mababang upuan na nilagay ko katabi ng kama ni lolo para makatabi ko siya. I'm still worried about him, kahit pa doctor na ang nagsabi na maayos na ang kalagayan ni lolo. Hindi pa rin kasi ito gumigising magmula ng ilipat siya rito sa private room, ang sabi ng doctor kaya daw ganon ay dahil sa pampatulog na tinurok nila para mas makapagpahinga ang katawan ni lolo ngunit kahit pa ganon, hindi ko talaga maiwasang mag-alala. Mapapanatag lang ako kapag nakausap ko na si lolo.

"Ang huling kain mo ay nung almusal pa, hapon na ngayon. 'Tay will surely understand if you leave his side for a couple of minutes to eat. C'mon sweetheart, let's eat." Marahan pang pinisil ni Dada ang balikat ko.

Tumingin ako sa kaniya pagkatapos ay binalik ko ang tingin ko kay lolo. I rub the back of his hand using my thumb.

"Dada.. hindi naman po ako iiwan ni lolo 'di ba?" I asked, stifling a cry then I look back at him.

"Sweetheart," he said then he scrunched down in front of me. "Remember his promise? He promised to walk you down the aisle on your wedding day, be the one to teach his grandchildren how to ride a bicycle and to be there the moment you finally achieve your goals in life. And to answer your question, no sweetheart, hindi ka niya iiwan. He hates breaking promises, you know that."

When a tear escaped from my eyes Dada immediately embraced me and let me cry on his shoulder.

"I'm so scared Dada.. Akala ko po iiwan na niya ako.. Ayaw ko pa Dada."

Dada starts rubbing my back to comfort me.

"Shhh, he's not going anywhere. He's fine now."

Nang kumalma na ako at tumigil na sa pag-iyak pinainom muna ako ni Dada ng tubig bago siya umalis sa tabi ko para kunin sa lamesa ang take-outs na binili niya para sa'kin. Hindi na ako pinilit pa ni Dada na umalis sa tabi ni lolo dahil sinabi nito na susubuan na lang niya ako. Nanatili lang kaming tahimik habang sinusubuan ako ni Dada. I missed this. I missed being a big baby when Dada is around just like now.