Every Line Crossed

ELC41

ELC41

"Are you already a big boy?"

"Yes!"

"Aw, then I can't carry you anymore?" Kuya Cell asked with a sadder tone than what he was using a while ago.

"You can try, Tito! I'm not that big yet, though..."

Kuya Cell chuckled and rumple Aza's hair. "Next time, buddy. You have to be well first, okay?"

"Okay, buddy!" Aza answered cutely while playing with his bunny toy's long ears.

There is a big smile playing on his lips but I still cannot feel even a slight happiness while watching it. I was just staring at him, imagining the things inside his head. If only... if only I can just enter his mind and put away all the memories that are making it hard for him, I already did. If only I could be the one to suffer in place of him, I would gladly accept it all.

"Happy birthday, Az..."

"Thank you, Tito. It's Mr. Bunny's birthday too! He's four like me!"

"Happy Birthday, Mr. Bunny!" pakikisakay ng kapatid ko.

"Happy Birthday!" Aza joyfully repeated.

A tear fell from my eyes and I immediately wipe it away even before anyone can see it. I felt someone's hand caressing my back so I gazed at Six beside me. I saw his eyes looking seriously at me. Mukhang kanina pa siya nakatingin. My lips quivered even if I tried to give him a smile.

"We'll get through it..." he whispered.

I bit my lips and nodded at him before I shift my eyes back to Aza.

How can an innocent young boy like him face a challenge that even elder people are struggling to win over? He's too young to experience everything! And trauma! My god!

Tahimik lang si Mama at Kuya Rift sa kabilang gilid habang nakatingin lang rin sila kay Aza at tila malalim ang iniisip. I felt my side emptied when Six stood up from his seat.

"Papa..." Aza immediately tried to sit on his bed when he noticed Six's actions. Even though Kuya Cell is trying his best to entertain him, a single move made by his father triggered him again.

I closed my eyes tightly to stop my tears and frustrations.

"I'm not going away, Az. Papa's just gonna get water for Mama." Six explained lowly to Aza.

"Hmm 'kay..." Aza's voice relaxed.

Silence covered the whole room once again. My breaths became heavy. I only opened my eyes once again when I felt Six's presence back beside me. He handed me a glass of water from the dispenser here in Aza's room.

"You don't want me to run out of tears to shed, huh?" I tried to lighten up my mood as I whispered sarcastically to him.

He didn't return my sarcasm. He just stared at me seriously.

"I don't want you dehydrated."

Hindi na lang ako sumagot.

After a call from Mama, we rush back here as fast as we can. Sa labas pa lang, rinig na namin ang iyak ni Aza noon. He was crying loudly and calling for us. There were already nurses and a doctor inside, trying to calm him down. But it was no use. He just calmed down when we appeared on his side. He just cried in my arms until he finally calmed down.

The doctor's guessing that he became hysterical when we both went out. Ayos naman kasi siya noong umalis si Six. But when I followed Six and leave, he started freaking out. Now, he's thinking that if one of us leaves, the other one will follow too. He recommended us to see a Psychiatrist for a proper check-up. But for now, we have to stay on his sight, or at least he knows that we're not leaving.