Capturing Hue

Episode 13

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"Like a photo, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

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Episode 13

What if you're about to lose someone that you loved dearly?

"North! Kapit lang, ah. . . P-please. . . Don't give up. . ."

I was holding North's hand while he was in a stretcher, still unconscious. Walang lumabas na luha sa mga mata ko. I feel numb. Wala akong nararamdaman kun'di takot at kaba. 

Nanginginig ang kamay kong napahiwalay sa pagkakasalikop nang sinabi ng nurse na bawal nang pumasok sa Emergency Room.

Napaupo na lang ako sa malapit na bench habang umiiyak pa rin dahil hindi ko na talaga alam ang nangyayari. Bakit siya hinimatay? Bakit niya gustong makipagkita? Anong sasabihin niya?

Cycles of questions ran through my mind for almost three hours while I'm sitting near the Emergency Room. My hands are stuck together for a prayer. I am not that faithful when it comes to the Lord, but for some reason, I know that He will be the only one who'll grant my wishes.

God, I know that I haven't been a good child all my life. Even though I'm obeying my parents, I know that You know that there's something wrong with me, and deep inside, I wanted to hate them, but I can't. But Lord, I wish for North's safety and his fast recovery. I don't know what happened to him, the reason why he fell unconscious, but I pray that you'll keep him safe. In Jesus, Mighty name We pray. Amen.

I closed my eyes to take a nap for an hour. I immediately dozed off to sleep because of tiredness.

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"Guardian of Mr. North Lacuesta?" 

Pupungas-pungas pa ang mata nang dumilat ako at may nagtatawag na nurse na mukhang kakalabas lang sa Emergency Room. Agad akong tumayo at lumapit sa nurse.

"Ako po ang nagdala rito kay North. K-kumusta na po siya?" Hindi ko napigilan ang pagkautal dahil sa kaba. The nurse smiled at me.

"Matagal na pong pasyente rito si Mr. Lacuesta at may room na po siya for his personal use. He's stable now and within this day, gigising na rin po siya."

Tinanguan ako ng Nurse kaya dahan-dahan akong pumunta sa ward na sinasabi ng Nurse kanina. I stopped in front of its door like I'm about to enter the gates of hell. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinakabahan.

After three weeks of no communication with him, we've met again and this is what had happened. Papasok na sana ako sa k'warto nang maunahan ako ng isang babaeng mukhang kasing tanda na rin nila Mommy.

"Excuse me. . . This is my son's room. Anong kailangan niyo?" she politely asked me.

My eyes widened when I didn't easily recognized her face. She looked exactly like North! 

"Uhm. . . s-sorry, Ma'am. . . I'm his. . ." napahinto ako at napaisip. Anong sasabihin ko? Kaibigan? Eh totoo namang magkaibigan lang kami. Ano bang mga iniisip mo Tanniah Hazelle?

"Kaibigan niya po. . ." nahihiya kong tugon.

Tumango ang Mama niya bago ako iginiya papasok din sa k'warto ng anak niya. Mukhang hindi siya mahirap pakisamahan kagaya ni North na approachable rin sa lahat ng bagay.