Episode 22

Worse

"Rylie, deep breaths. Text me the address. I'm on my way."

I'm still shivering from fear while finding a t-shirt to wear on my way to the hospital. Nanginginig ang kamay ko habang hinahagilap ang jacket ko at halos mabitawan ko na ang susi ng kotse ko sa kaba.

I was walking down the aisle of my condo and noticed that it was already 9 pm. Rylie immediately sent me the address of the hospital. I don't know why Tito Randy was suddenly brought to medical attention but thinking about it, only made my heart ache.

Ilang beses kong pinindot ang button ng elevator para doon nalang sumakay. I know I have the fear of riding elevators but like what my psychiatrist advises, I need to conquer my fear to move on. One of the main reasons why I chose a high-rise condominium.

Tumunog na ang elevator hudyat nang pagbukas nito pero ganun nalang ang gulat ko when I saw Valentine silently waiting for his floor to come. Nagulat din siya sa presensya ko pero noon ko lang nalaman na ang hinihintay ko palang elevator ay going up! I need to go to the lobby as soon as possible!

"S-sorry. I'll take the next one." I intertwined my fingers in fear, thinking of what is Tito Randy's state now. Hindi siya 'yung tipo nang sakitin at maraming komplikasyon sa katawan. He was actually a healthy living person. Kaya I don't know what caused him to be rushed to the hospital. Accident?

"No. You can ride here. I'll just go down with you," Valentine said with a low voice.

Wala na akong panahong magpabebe pa kaya agad-agad akong pumasok sa loob ng elevator kahit nanginginig na ako sa takot. I just remembered that I even saw Valentine earlier when he brought donuts and drink and how cliché that we're here inside an elevator for the 2nd time.

I can't stop shivering in fear habang pinagmamasdan ang numero sa elevator na bumababa. What if we'll be suddenly stuck here again? Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko kung gano'n.

Nagulat nalang ako nang biglang hinawakan ng katabi kong si Val ang nanlalamig kong kamay. His warm hand gave me comfort and safe haven in amidst of fear and chaos. Tiningnan ko siya at nakatingin lang din siya sa mata ko. Bakit ba ang bait mo Val?

"Don't be afraid. We're not going to be stuck again. I'm just here."

Tumango nalang ako nang marahan kahit hindi pa rin nawawala ang takot sa sistema ko. I gulped hardly when I noticed that we're already on the ground floor. Tumingin ako kay Val para bigyan siya ng maliit na ngiti.

"Thank you, Val. Kailangan ko nang umalis." I politely removed his hands from mine and started marching towards the exit of the elevator.

"Elara," habol niya. "Where are you going this late?" tanong niya habang sinasabayan ako sa paglalakad papunta sa parking. Good thing that I always keep my car parked in here in case of emergency.

"Pinaospital si Tito and I don't know why. I need to check on him. He's like a father to me. I can't afford to lose him."

I clicked my car remote so my Audi blinked its light twice, meaning that it was open again. "I'll go with you. Convoy." He didn't even ask for my permission and just went to his car that was luckily parked near mine. I just sighed heavily bago buhayin ang makina ng kotse ko.

Good thing that the hospital was just near Diliman that's why I arrived quickly. I was almost running down the hallway, nakakasalubong pa ang mga busy rin na doctors and nurses. Agad akong pumunta sa lugar kung saan pwedeng magtanong kung nasaan ang pasyente.

"Can I ask what room is Raindale Gustavo?"

Tinanong muna ng in-charge nurse kung anong relation ko sa pasyente and when I said that I was his family, she immediately said the details. Sinabing dinala raw sa Operating Room ang tito ko, not a few minutes ago, dahil sa isang injury.

Tumango ako at dali-daling pumunta sa kung nasaan ang sinasabi ng nurse na operating room at naghintay sa labas noon. Kitang-kita ko kung paanong umiiyak si Tita Elly habang nakaupo sa mga benches habang si Ryleigh naman ay umiiyak din habang pinapatahan ang ina.

"Go to them. Maghihintay nalang ako sa labas."

Ngayon ko lang naalala na kasama ko nga pala si Valentine dahil masyadong preoccupied and utak ko sa mga bagay-bagay. I just gave him repetitive nods and he exchanged a small smile saying that it's going to be alright. Agad naman akong lumapit na kila Tita ang walang inaaksayang panahon.

"Tita! Rylie!" I called to them. Mabilis akong nakapunta sa kinalalagyan nila and I noticed how they were both crying hardly. My tears started welling up at the corner of my eyes again.

"H-hyacinth... ang... a-ang Tito m-mo..." Tita couldn't mutter the last words because she was trembling. I'm afraid that she might pass out from too much stress.

I kneeled down in front of my Tita. "Look at me, Tita." Inangat niya ang tingin niya kaya agad kong pinalis ang luha niya. Patuloy pa rin ang paghagulgol ni Rylie sa tabi.

"It's going to be alright. Tito's gonna be okay." I hugged her tightly to comfort her. I know what she feels. Kung sino man ang taong nakakaalam kung paano mawalan ng minamahal, suking-suki na ako sa pakiramdam na 'yun. And until now it still hurts... like a knife stabbing my heart.

Naghintay kami nang dalawang oras o higit pa at nakaupo lang kaming naghihintay sa benches. The moment the operating doctor went out of the room, Tita Elly quickly approached him.

"How is he?" nanginginig pa na tanong ni Tita Elly habang nakayakap si Rylie sa bewang nito.

"Stable na po siya as of now. But the stab of knife in his stomach is too deep and he had lost too much blood. Sinemento rin ang binti at braso niya dahil nabali ang mga buto. Ano ho bang nangyari at naging ganun kalala?" nag-aalalang tanong ng doctor.

My mouth hung open the moment he said those things. Akala ko aksidente lang! Saksak? Bali ng buto? He was tortured! He was mercilessly tortured to death! Hindi kasi nasabi sa'kin nila Tita ang rason kanina dahil iyak pa rin sila ng iyak. My tears started forming again.

Nilipat na sa isang private ward si Tito Randy at ganun nalang ang tulo ng luha sa mga mata ko nang makita ko ang kalagayan niya.

Bruised eyes with broken nose, bandages all over his body and I could feel the pain of the stab in his stomach. He looked weak and about to give up. Bakit ba nangyayari sa'min 'to?

"Tita, ano po ba talaga ang totoong nangyari?" I asked while still not removing my glance from Tita Randy's position. He's still deep asleep that is a good thing. I hope he recovers soon.

"M-may... nag-report na... sa lumang bahay niyo raw, Hyacinth..." she swallowed first before continuing. "Randy and I visited your burnt mansion lately. Naghahanap kami ng ebidensya kahit alam naming delikado. And this... t-this is what happened to him..." tinakpan ni Tita Elly ang bibig niya dahil humagulgol na naman siya sa iyak.

What?! Ito ba 'yung sinasabi ni Rylie sa akin nung nakaraan na binibisita nila Tita 'yung mansyon para mag-imbestiga? Then who the hell planned this thing? 'Yung pumatay rin sa mga magulang ko? Hindi na ba sila nagsasawang saktan kami?!

I embraced myself in cold and fear as I suddenly remembered the gunshots from the night my parents were killed. Pinikit ko nang mariin ang aking mga mata para pigilan ang pagkatakot. This is not the right time to be afraid.

Be strong for once, Hyacinth. Kayanin mo kahit mahirap.

I wiped my tears as Tita Ellythia kept on narrating the whole story. Sinabi niya na may nahanap na raw silang papeles na natira noong nakaraan pero biglang pagkabalik nila ay wala na. There is a big chance that someone is watching them from afar.

Could it be the one who was texting me creepy messages ever since?

I took my phone out, to check the messages from that unknown number but my mouth draped in shock as I saw Valentine's last message.

From: Val

I'll be waiting outside the hospital.

Nakalimutan ko siya! Agad-agad akong tumayo at nagpaalam kay Tita Elly na may pupuntahan lang. She nodded and I marched my way towards the exit of the hospital where Valentine is.

Nakita ko siyang nakasandal lamang sa isa sa mga poste, proud and tall, habang nakalagay ang mga kamay sa bulsa. His features were even highlighted at the darkness of the scene that you might think he's a model, posing for a photoshoot.

"Val!" I called and run to him. Nang makita niya ako ay agad na rumehistro ang lungkot at pag-aalala sa mga mata niya. "Kanina ka pa rito?" Just thinking about how long he waited here for me, makes me want to confess my love to him. But this is not the right time. Everything's just a mess.

"Yes. How was it?" he asked with a hint of concern in his tone but his ever coldly maintained face was never-fading.

I smiled a little showing it's okay but I know he won't buy that reason. "Tito is already stable pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin namin alam kung sino ang gumawa no'n sa kanya. Tita contacted the police earlier and they've done an investigation."

Nakita ko ang paglunok nang mariin ni Valentine sa sinabi ko pero ipinagsawalang bahala ko nalang 'yun. Anyways, bakit nga pala nagkasabay pa kami sa elevator kanina? He told me that he was going somewhere important. Wala na ako sa posisyon makiusyoso roon.

Naupo muna ako sa gutter sa sidewalk while glancing at the peaceful moon and stars above us. The lamppost and the hospital lights were our only source of brightness in this dark night. Mas lalo pa tuloy lumamig ang paligid. I smiled but I was hurting deep inside.

"Elara..." Val called me before wiping a lonely tear that left my eye. Hindi ko namalayang naiyak na pala ako. Pinantayan niya nang upo ang posisyon ko sa pagkakaupo sa gutter before lifting my chin so our eyes would meet.

Hindi na siya nagsalita pa at agad-agad nalang akong niyakap. Mas lalo pa tuloy bumuhos ang mga luha ko dahil doon. Niyakap ko rin siya pabalik and I could feel the warmth of his body on mine.

Akala ko ay ubos na ang luha ko kanina pero nang niyakap niya ako ay nagragasa na naman sila. I still can't move on by the fact that Tito Randy, chose to risk himself, just to give justice to my parent's death. It pains me so much to see him suffering like that because... of me...

Valentine patted my back while still hugging. This is not the first time that we've hugged each other. We've even kissed before. But this is the most comforting hug I've ever had ever since my parents left me in this cruel world. This is the warmest hug he has given me, with all the moon and stars as our witnesses. The best feeling.

Tumagal pa nang ilang minuto ang yakap ni Val sa'kin at naramdaman kong parang huminahon na 'ko. Tumigil na rin ang iyak ko kaya kumalas na ako sa yakap nang may ngiti sa labi.

"Salamat talaga, Val. Kung alam mo lang kung paano ka nakakatulong sa nararamdaman ko sa tuwing nandyan ka 'pag nahihirapan ako. Thank you... for everything."

He caressed my cheeks and gave me back a small smile. A smile that made me fall for him. Inaamin ko na. Gusto ko siya. Ngayon ko lang nagawang aminin sa sarili ko, na nahuhulog na talaga ako sa kanya. And this is not a mere infatuation but something deeper.

"Basta ikaw, Elara. Don't worry, I got you," he even winked at me for the first time and he was so awkward doing it! I giggled at him and we just found ourselves laughing at each other.

"Hindi ka ba magsasawang pakisamahan ako? I mean..." I licked my lower lip. "I have trauma, trust issues, family issues, lahat na. Isama mo pa na ayaw ko talaga sa pangalan mo. Pa'no mo ko nagawang magustuhan?"

"It just happened... and I... liked you... since before..." pahina nang pahina ang sinasabi niya kaya hindi ko na narinig ang dulo. Pinag-kibit-balikat ko nalang 'yun bago tumingala sa langit.

Ilang minuto lang ay inaya ko na rin papasok nang ospital si Val dahil lumalalim na rin ang gabi. "Hey, you should get home now. It's getting late," I told Val when we're on the entrance of the hospital.

Tiningnan niya muna ako na parang sinusuri ang kalagayan ko bago bumuntong hininga. He patted my head to say his good bye before smiling. "Take care, Elara. Magiging okay rin ang lahat."

Tumango ako sa kanya at nagpaalam na rin. Tumalikod siya at akmang aalis na when I held his arm, still hesitating, to stop him. "Hmm? You need anything?" I took deep breaths and I felt my heart drumming loudly inside my chest. Kakayanin ko ba 'to?

"Uhm... Val..." I held his shoulders para masuportahan ang bigat ko, before leaning for a kiss on his cheeks. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pagkagulat ni Val sa ginawa ko at ako rin naman mismo ay gulat na gulat!

It was just a soft and quick peck but I felt like my heart will be drowned from too much  embarassment right now! Hanggang ngayon kasi ay bakas pa rin ang gulat sa mukha ni Val!

"E-elara..." He even stuttered!

"Bye! Uwi ka na! Ingat!" Hindi na ako nagpaliwanag pa at agad na umalis na dahil nahihiya na ako sa kaharutan ko. Luckily, when I went inside, Tita Elly and Rylie was asleep on the other bed since it's already 12 AM.

Mabilis akong nakatulog dahil sa pagod. I even dreamt of my parents, when we happily gone through travels to different destinations when I was a kid. I can't help but smile bitterly when I woke up.

Agad akong nag-text sa mga kaibigan ko tungkol sa nangyari kay Tito because they deserve to know it after all.

Hya: Guys... I'm at the hospital right now. Si Tito... biglang sinugod.

I waited for a few minutes and my phone then kept on buzzing because of the continuous messages from my friends in our GC. I can't help but give a small smile of appreciation from their texts.

Portia: Hala! Anyare! OTW NA 'KO ANONG OSPITAL! Nal Gidaryeo!

Luna: wait papunta na rin.

Sangre: luto pa ba 'ko ng soup kay tito? Sandali wawa naman 'yung ka-fling ko ngayon. #friendsfirst #landilater

Shreya: My brother is useless so I'm going alone. Text the address.

Sky: Ang gwapo ko pero ang pangit ng kambal ko. Malapit na rin, 2ll!

I just rolled my eyes at Skyler's last text before texting them the address of the hospital. Wala pang isang oras ay nakita ko na agad si Portia at Sangre na nagmamadali sa paglalakad para hanapin ang room ni Tito.

"Mamaya ka na humanap nang gwapong doctor, bruha!" Sinabunutan ni Sangre ang dulo ng buhok ni Portia habang hawak ang soup siguro na binili lang nila.

"Hya!" Portia called me too loud that even the other patients came looking our way. Nakakahiya talaga sila. But that's what I love about them.

Portia ran fast towards my direction. Nagulat pa ako nang muntik kaming matumba dahil sa bigla niyang pagyakap sa'kin. Narinig ko ang hikbi niya kaya dali-dali akong napatawa.

"Ayos lang, Hya. Magiging okay rin si Tito." Hindi ko alam kung malulungkot o matatawa ba ako sa reaksyon niya lalo na nang sabay-sabay na dumating sina Shreya, Sky at Luna. Ang swerte ko sa kanila.

"I'll call my Dad, Tita. I'm sure, she can do something about this," Shreya said before going out of the ward to contact his father about the investigation of Tito Randy's case. Nandito na kami sa loob ng ward ni Tito.

I just sat on the sofa, exhausted but relieved at the same time, because my friends were here for me. Nandito rin si Valentine kagabi and I can't help but feel like even though my parents were not here, I am loved by so many people.

Kinuwento ulit ni Tita Elly lahat nang pangyayari habang si Rylie naman ay inutusan kanina na kumuha ng essentials. Pwede naman na maids na ang kumuha nu'n but Rylie insisted because it was for her dad.

"Mga demonyo talaga sila Hya! Demonyo rin naman ako pero mas mauuna silang masunog sa'kin! Lutuin ko sila riyan eh!" Sangre said with flame and wrath in her eyes. I can feel her anger towards the person who did this to Tito. I feel the same too.

Nagpaalam nalang muna kami kanila Tita na bibili nalang nang makakain sa baba para sa tanghalian. Pero bago pa 'yun mangyari, nakabalik na si Shreya mula sa pagkakatawag sa labas.

"Hya, I'll cancel the tours muna for our trip to Aurora. I know naman na you're nahihirapan right now. We can adjust," she gave me a small smile na sinegundahan nang pagtango ng mga kaibigan ko.

"Yup. Marami pa naman ibang pagkakataon. You can stay with your Tito first," Luna said.

"Iwan na lang natin 'yan," bulong ni Sky. "Joke! Hoy, joke lang! Haha!" I just rolled my eyes at him.

Narinig ni Tita Elly ang pag-uusap namin at bago pa kami makalabas para bumili nang makakain ay nagsalita na siya. "You planned a vacation, Hyacinth? Then you should go! Masyado ka nang stressed sa pag-aaral these days. You deserve a break too!"

Umiling-iling na lang ako kay Tita. I get her point but I can't leave Tito alone.

"Ayos lang po Tit—" I couldn't continue what I was about to say nang sumingit siya. "Shush! Ayos lang din Hyacinth. Ako nang bahala sa Tito mo. He's stable now and you can still enjoy. You deserve it."

Wala na akong nagawa kung hindi pumayag nalang sa sinabi ni Tita. I just sighed before my friends and I went out of the hospital to buy some food.

We've spent the whole day chitchatting with one another and enjoying each other's company. Alam kong pinapasaya lang din nila ang atmosphere dahil kahit ako, napapagod na ring umiyak.

After that long and tiring day, nagpaalam na sila kaya hinatid ko sila sa labas ng ospital. Ang iba ay iinom pa, which they normally do, samantalang sila Luna at Portia ay may plates pa na tatapusin.

"Thank you talaga, guys. Kung alam niyo lang kung ga'no ako natuwa na nandiyan kayo."

"Ang arte! Siyempre! Ano pang silbi naming kaibigan mo kung wala kami 'pag kailangan mo?" Portia said while still laughing kaya napatawa nalang din kaming lahat.

I waved them goodbye and saw each of their cars going away from the hospital. Papasok na sana ako sa loob, when one man caught my eye.

He was wearing a black hoodie and black maong pants. He was texting and I think I saw him before. Yes! He was also the man that I saw on the restaurant of Mallari's last time! Siya ba... siya ba ang may pakana nang lahat ng ito?

I was about to approach him when he ran away and got mixed with the darkness of the night. Hinihingal man, I checked my phone when it vibrated and got my jaw dropped with the message I had received. Tears started pooling in my eyes again.

Unknown Number:

You saw me twice but never caught me. Your Tito deserved that. I warned you, Hyacinth. That was just a glimpse of something worse, if you keep on investigating the case.

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#ACM22

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