Habang sumilip ang araw sa mga kurtina ng ospital, nagising si Aziel mula sa pagkakahimbing. Kasabay ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga, pinakawalan niya ang hiningang kanina pa niya pinipigilan. Ngayon ang araw ng kanyang paglabas, ang araw na sa wakas ay haharapin niya ang mga paulit-ulit na problema na kailangan niyang ma solusyonan at kanyang bigyang aksyon.

Habang nililigpit ni Asher ang mga gamit ay tinanong niya ang kaniyang kapatid na si Aziel. “What are your plans now?”

Aziel took a deep breath. “For the last time, I’m going to go to Ashleigh and apologize, and if she still doesn’t forgive me, I’m not going to bother her anymore.”

Napahinto si Asher sa pagliligpit at tinanong si Aziel. “Paano ang anak mo?”

“Baka hindi ko na siya maabutan dahil sigurado ako na wala nako rito sa mundo, para mayakap, masubay-bayan ang kaniyang paglaki.” hilaw ang ngiting ipinakita ni Aziel sa kaniyang kapatid.

“I’ll find the best neurosurgeon doctor for you. Kasama mo ako sa laban na ito, Aziel. Kailangan ka ng anak mo at ni Ashleigh.” Asher tapped his brother shoulder.

“Malabo ng mangyari ’yun. Kinamumuhian na niya ako. Ayaw na niya akong makita at ayaw niyang makilala ako ng anak namin.” matamlay niyang sabi at tumingin kay Asher ’tsaka ngumiti.

“Aziel, hindi na ikaw ang dati kong kilala na Aziel ’yung masayahin, maligalig at palaban. Makakaya natin ito at alam kong kakayanin mo para sa anak mo at kay Ashleigh.” sabi ni Asher at isinabit ang bag sa kaniyang balikat.

Donning his clothes, Aziel and Asher made their way to the corridors, Aziel’s heart heavy with trepidation. As he stepped out of the hospital, he was greeted by the familiar bustle of the city. Yet, amidst the chaos, his thoughts remained consumed by the one person he had wronged.

“Pagdating natin sa bahay, magpahinga ka muna, bawal pagbabawalan muna kitang pumunta kay Ashlei—” naputol ni Asher ang kaniyang sinabi dahil nakita niyang nakasakay na ng tricycle si Aziel.

“Aziel! Saan ka pupunta!” sigaw niya rito pero malayo na ang tricycle.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya at ngumiti, alam niyang hindi titigil si Aziel kakahingi ng sorry hangga’t hindi siya mapapatawad ng isang tao.

As Aziel approached the familiar white picket fence, his hands trembled with nerves. Summoning all his courage, he rang the doorbell.

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a weary Ashleigh. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of him, a mixture of shock and anger crossing her face.

“Aziel,” she uttered in a hushed voice, her tone laced with pain. “Anong ginagawa mo rito?”

Aziel took a deep breath. “Ashleigh, I’m so sorry,” he pleaded. “I know there’s no excuse for what I did, but please, just give me one chance to make things right.” Lumuhod si Aziel habang nakahawak sa kamay ni Ashleigh.

Tears welled up in Ashleigh’s eyes as she stared at him. “You hurt me, Aziel. You broke my heart. Kahit sabihin mong hindi mabigat ang kasalanang nagawa mo pero iba ang epekto nu’n sa akin dahil babae Ako. Kahit sinong babae masasaktan talaga ng husto kung harap-harapan nilang makikita.”

“I know,” Aziel nodded. “And I’ll never forgive myself for that. But I’m begging you, Ashleigh. I want to prove that I’m worth your trust again.” tumulo na ang luha ni Aziel at ang kaniyang ulo ay nasa paa ni Ashleigh.

Ashleigh hesitated, her body language torn between anger and compassion. “I don’t know, Aziel...natatakot ako na baka maulit na naman muli ang ginawa mo sa akin.”

“I understand,” Aziel said softly. “But I promise, I won’t let you down again. I’ll do anything it takes to show you that I’m sorry.” tumayo si Aziel at hinaplos ang pisngi ni Ashleigh.

For several minutes, they stood in silence, the weight of their past hanging heavy in the air. Finally, Ashleigh spoke, her voice barely a whisper. “Wala pa akong lakas ng loob para patawarin ka.” Itinulak ni Ashleigh si Aziel at pumasok ng gate ’tsaka pabagsak itong sinara.

The finality of her action sent a shockwave through Aziel, causing him to break down into silent sobs.

As he clung to the cold iron bars, the sky above opened up, and a torrential downpour began to fall. The rain cascaded over Aziel’s face, mingling with the tears that streamed from his eyes. Each drop seemed to carry with it the weight of his broken heart.

He stood there for what felt like an eternity, his body shivering from the cold and the pain in his soul. The rain washed over him, carrying away his hopes and dreams like leaves on a stormy river.

With each passing minute, Aziel’s cries grew louder and more desperate. The downpour raged around him, as if nature itself sympathized with his heartbreak. The trees swayed violently in the wind, their branches reaching out towards him as if to offer a comforting embrace.

But even in their silent presence, Aziel found no solace. His love for Ashleigh had been shattered, and with it, his entire world. The rain continued to fall, washing away the last remnants of his joy and hope.

As the night wore on, Aziel’s desperate sobs gradually subsided into a low, broken whimper. He slumped against the gate, his body exhausted by the weight of his grief. And still, the rain poured down, a relentless reminder of the heartbreak that had consumed him.

Nabalot ng gulat at pag-aalala si Asher na pinahinto niya ang sasakyan. Noon pa man ay iginagalang niya ang pagiging nalayo ni Aziel, ngunit ang pagpapakitang ito ng hilaw na emosyon ay nakakabagabag. Maingat siyang lumapit, ang kanyang mga yapak ay nababalot ng walang humpay na ulan.

“Aziel,” he called softly.

Aziel’s head snapped up, his eyes widening in surprise. He stared at Asher with a mix of hurt and desperation. “Asher, why are you here?”

“Nahihibang ka na ba! Bakit ka nagpapa-ulan?!” sigaw ni Asher sa kaniya na basa na rin sa ulan.

Aziel shook his head. “No, I'm not. I lost her, Asher. I lost her.”

Asher’s heart sank. He knew the pain that came with unrequited love. “Umuwi na tayo! Kakalabas mo lang sa hospital pero may plano ka na namang babalik? Kung gusto mong makasama ang anak mo at si Ashleigh...magpagaling ka.”

“Ashleigh,” Aziel whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “Ano pa’ng silbi ng pagpapagaling ko kung ayaw na sa akin ni Ashleigh?”

Asher felt a surge of sympathy for his brother. Aziel had always been reserved, hiding his emotions deep within himself. To see him so vulnerable was a testament to the depth of his despair.

“Kahit man lang sa sarili mo at sa amin na nagmamahal sayo, Aziel! Bigyan mo naman kami ng konting lugar d'yan sa puso mo. Nandito kaming mga kapatid mo, si Mommy at Daddy, alalahanin mo naman sila pati na rin kami.” Asher said, his voice trembling slightly. “Iwan ka man ng taong mahal nandito pa rin kaming mga pamilya mo na nagmamahal sayo.”

Aziel sighed heavily. “I didn’t either. I thought... I thought she might return my feelings. Dahil may anak na ako sa kaniya.”

They stood there in silence for a moment, the rain pounding around them. Asher wanted to offer comfort, but he knew that words would only go so far. Instead, he put an arm around his brother’s shoulders and led him towards their car.

As they drove home, Aziel leaned his head against the car seat, his body wracked with sobs. Asher said nothing, simply providing a silent presence for his brokenhearted brother.

©iKnowImNewbie