*Present*

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

It should be him.

"We're engaged!" Ressler said, happiness written all over his face.

"I love you," he said, kissing me nonstop on my cheek like a kid.

"I love you too," I responded as I kissed him on his lips to stop him from kissing me on my cheek.

I paused the video and turned off the television.

Buong magdamag kong pinanood 'yong mga video namin ni Ressler. Paulit-ulit ko ring tiningnan ang mga pictures naming dalawa.

I miss him.

I really do.

Agad kong kinuha ang phone ko at sinubukan ko siyang tawagan. Hindi ko inaasahang sasagot agad siya.

Hinihintay niya ba ang tawag ko? O naiinis lang talaga siya kaya sinagot niya na agad dahil alam niyang kukulitin ko lang siya kapag hindi niya sinagot agad?

"Yeah?"

Tumulo muli ang luha ko nang marinig ko ang boses niya.

"Ressler, c-can we talk?"

"We're already talking," he scoffed.

Huminga ako ng malalim at pinunasan ang luha ko bago ako nagsalita ulit.

"I just finished watching our videos together," pagkukuwento ko. Hindi siya nagsalita at nanatiling tahimik lamang ang kabilang linya.

"You used to smile a lot because of me," dagdag ko pa. Hindi pa rin siya nagsalita.

"I—I miss your smile, Ressler," I said, trying to stop myself from sobbing. I don't want him to hear me crying.

And without saying anything, he ended the call.

I felt my nose starting to bleed again. Nagmadali akong pumunta ng banyo saka ako nagsimulang sumuka. I tried my best not to vomit but I couldn't. Sunod-sunod ang pagsuka ko hanggang sa dugo na ang lumalabas sa bibig ko. Ang sakit-sakit din ng gilagid ko.

May narinig akong sasakyan na bumubusina sa labas, kasabay no'n ay ang pag-ring ng phone ko sa bulsa ko. Nanghihina kong kinuha iyon at nakita kong si Diego ang tumatawag.

I thought it was Ressler.

But then I suddenly remembered he doesn't know anything and he doesn't care anymore.

"Y-Yeah, G-Gazino? What do you . . . uh," I paused, coughing nonstop.

"Hey, Morris? Are you alright?" tanong niya sa kabilang linya.

"I-It hurts, Gazino," pabulong kong sabi hanggang sa mabitawan ko ang phone ko dahil tuluyan nang nanghina ang buong katawan ko.

All I can see was blood all over the bathroom while I was sitting on the floor.

Until someone came in . . .

He breathed heavily, his eyes wide, not expecting that he'd see me like this. I think he ran so fast just to get here on time. Wait, what is he even doing here?

"Gazino . . ." I called him. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa 'kin at binuhat ako.

"Good thing I was already outside your house when I called," he said, letting out a sigh of relief.

* * *

Zild

I went inside the house, leaving my car door open. I don't care about that damn car. All I think about is Tam. As soon as someone called me using her phone, pumunta talaga agad ako dito.

Tumakbo ako paakyat sa taas at kusa akong napatigil. I saw her, coughing blood.

There are doctors, nurses and police around her, taking care of her.

Exhausted, she stared at me. Her eyes dilated with pain and fear. I felt pain in my chest. Hindi ko kayang nakikita siyang ganito.

I know, she's tired fighting her f*cking leukemia. Hindi niya man sabihin sa 'kin, alam ko gusto niya nang sumuko. Ayaw niya nang lumaban.

Tears welled up my eyes and began rolling down my cheeks.

My eyes landed on the man standing right beside her, rubbing her back, not knowing what to do. His eyes met mine, letting out a sigh of relief, he approached me.

"You're Zild, right? 'Yong kausap ko kanina?" he asked, scrutinizing me.

"Yeah," I replied, wiping my tears away. "Thanks for taking care of her," I said, acknowledging what he did for her when I wasn't around. He just nodded and handed me her phone.

"She has lost a lot of blood. The doctors said they need to get platelets and fluids into her," he paused, letting out a heavy sigh. "They said she needs to stay in the hospital," he stated, clenching his jaw. "I didn't know she has a cancer. If I only knew, I should've been good to her," he said, regret obviously eating out his face.

I gave him a half smile. "You helped her, that's enough for me to think that you're a good man," I said, showing him my deepest sincerity.

"By the way, I'm Diego. Morris and I are on the same department, and we're partners when it comes to work," he said, glancing at her.

"I was about to call her husband because he was on the top list of her contacts, but she stopped me. She told me to call you instead," he explained. "I'm sorry for saying this but, don't you think it's a little selfish? I mean, they're married. They should be staying together to take care of each other. But look at her, she has no one to look after her. Not even you. You weren't around," he paused, thinking if he should continue talking.

"No offense meant, man. But the fact that you weren't here when she needed you, means you're not the right person to take care of her. I'm not that stupid to not see what's happening right here. I know her husband knows nothing that's why you're taking care of her. But he's her husband. He has the right to know. He should be the one taking care of her," he stated, sincerity all over his eyes.

He's right.

It should be him.

No matter how hard I try, I know I can't give her the protection and the comfort she needs. She needs him.

She needs her husband.

She needs Ressler.

_____

Tiana: Ziiiilllddddd gusto kitang yakapiiiin. Actually, gusto ko rin yakapin sina Tam at Ressler. Masyado niyong pinahihirapan mga sarili niyo. :(