🐱

Dos heaved a sigh as he closed the door of the room. It pains him to see Georgina hurting that way. Kaya nga for the past ten years ay iniiwasan niyang makita ang babae dahil hindi niya kinakayang makita itong lumuluha.

"Tulog na?" Jarvis asked which he answered with a nod. "Good. It's the first time I saw her cry since the day they called her about Arika. George and her were really close kaya nasisiguro kong nagpipigil lang siya."

"Yeah." Tumango siya before heaving a sigh. "The last time I saw Aki she lectured me about George. They were really close."

Tahimik na umupo sila sa bakanteng upuan hindi kalayuan. Then he stared at the while casket in front of them.

Who would've known that Arika would go first? Na ang babaeng parang pinaglihi sa energy drink—as Inno would usually say, ay may lihim palang problema na dinaramdam.

When the two of them talked last time, hindi niya nahalata ang lungkot o problema nito. She was way too positive and happy for him to doubt her. Iyon pala'y peke lamang ang sayang pinapakita nito.

"Alam mo, Isidro, sobrang nakakabanas ka na," the girl confronted him—more like cornered him at his own home. It was the day he saw them at a restaurant and he got too scared to approach them. "Clearly eh mahal mo si Horhe pero bakit ayaw mo man lang lapitan?"

"She doesn't want me to," sagot niya—more like excuse.

"Sinabi niya ba 'yon?" tanong nito sa kanya. "I mean, did she say that she doesn't want you near her?"

"No," mahina niyang sagot. "Ang sabi niya ay bumalik ako sa kanya kapag handa na akong magkaron ng kinabukasan kasama niya."

The girl squinted her already chinky eyes at him. "Oh, tapos? Bakit di ka bumalik?"

That made him heave a sigh.

"Because I can't give her a future," aniya. "George deserves the world and more. Ano ba ang kaya kong ibigay sa kanya? Ni hindi ko nga mabigay sa kanya yung 'future' na gusto niya."

"Teka nga," anas ng babae sabay pamaywang. "Mahal mo pero di mo mabigay yung kinabukasang gusto niya? Naghihirap ka na ba? Alam kong maluho si Georgina kasi walking designer 'yon pero sigurado naman akong makakapag-adjust 'yon. Saka, kumikita yon ng sapat."

Hindi niya alam kung matatawa ba siya o seseryosohin ang sinabi ng babae. But, he shook his head and found himself telling the girl one of his secrets.

"I'm dying, Arika," aniya na nakapagpasinghap sa huli. "Cancer. I've known since I was in high school."

"High School? Ang tagal na ah. Bakit buhay ka pa?" Diretsong tanong ng babae na nakapagpataas ng kilay niya. "I mean, no offense pero, may gamot ka naman diba? Saka yung chemo ba 'yon?"

"Gamot, meron," sagot niya. "I had treatments before. Around first year high school I had to stop for a year to receive treatments. Kaya nga nakasabay ko pa noon gumraduate sina Jarvis at River. Anakala naming lahat na okay na. Nawala na yung sakit ko so I had started to live normally again but it returned.

"I was in college nung bumalik yung sakit ko," he continued. "My CLL was recurrent so I had no choice but to do all treatments again and that was frustrating for me. Knowing that this illness wouldn't go away, I had to save George from the pain and suffering I may cause her one day."

"Wait," anas ng babae. "Bakit hindi mo 'to sinasabi kay Georgina? I mean, I get that you want to save her all that bullshit, pero hindi mo man lang ba 'to sinabi sa kanya? You just pushed her away for... for ten years without giving her any reason at all? Aba Isidro the second, kagaguhan ang tawag diyan."

"Mamamatay ako, Arika," paguulit niya. "If I told her about it, then what? She'd pity me? She'll waste her life and all her opportunities for me? Kilala ko si Georgina. She might look selfish for other people but she's actually selfless. I've loved her all my life—"

"Then be selfish," putol naman agad sa kanya ng babae. "I mean, sa mundong 'to, hindi lang dapat puro selflessness. Dapat may selfish din para mabalanse. If she loves you selflessly, then love her back selfishly. Gets mo ba? Wala kasing mangyayari sainyo sa ganyang klaseng atake eh.

"Not that being selfish is a good thing but, sa pag-ibig, kailangan  mo din minsan maging sakim eh," patuloy nito. "Kasi limitado na nga lang ang oras niya sa isa't-isa, nag hahabulan pa kayo. Georgina's a big girl, Dos. Kaya niya 'yan. If you keep pushing her away ay mas lalo mo lang siyang sinasaktan."

Hindi siya nakasagot. He did stop pushing her away. Seeing her with someone else made him take the chance. It made him selfish at sandali siyang nakalimot. And those days were the best days of his life.

Kaso, may mga bagay talaga inilalagay saharapan ng tao para magising ito sa katotohanan. Seeng that pregnancy kit shook him in the most violent way.

What if he did get George pregnant? Hindi lang ito ang iiwan niya. Maging ang bata, mawawalan ng ama. He would be abandoning his own child and Georgina would be alone. Hindi niya gusto iyon. So, he panicked. And he lost his happiness again.

"Hay naku! Nakakastress naman kayo!" bulalas ng babae sabay tayo mula sa kinauupuan. Nakita niya ang pinsan na si River na naglalakad papalapit sa kanila. "Kung ako lang masusunod, I'd give days of my life sayo para naman sumaya si George. Yung parang sa movie ni Justin Timberlake? She deserves to be happy. You deserve to be happy too."

Bigla siyang kinilabutan habang inaalala ang mga katagang binitiwan ng babae sa kanya. Was that a premonition? He had no idea. But one thing's for sure. Tama ito. Limitado na lang ang mga araw sa buhay nila kaya't dapat ay sinusulit nila iyon.

Pero, kailangan niya munang labanan ang sakit niyang iyon. He needed to go abroad and sign himself up for some clinical trials. It's worth the shot. Tulad ng sinabi nito sa kanya noon, babalik siya dito kapag may kinabukasan na siyang maibibigay dito.

"Are you sure about this, Isidro?" tanong sa kanya ng kanyang tiyahin na si Saturnina Montecillo.

He just handed her his official resignation letter. Effective immediately, ay aalis na siya ng bansa para magpagaling muli sa Amerka. He found out that not all Recurrent CLL's are refractory. Na may pag-asa pa siya. Ilang buwan na rin ang nakalilipas mula nang huli niyang makita si Georgina.

"Then if that's the case, I will support you," anito at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. Kahapon sa kaarawan niya'y inanunsyo niya na rin ang pagreretiro. "Kelan ang alis mo?"

He flew to America that very day. He had undergone a few clinical tests and some therapies. Pero kinailangan niyang umuwi dahil kinailangan ng tulong ni Inno.

Their company was compromised when one of their board of directors, Renato Ibañez, threatened the company and Inno's position as the CEO.

"Tangina ka. Kapag ito ang unang pumatay sa akin, Inno, mumultuhin kita," aniya nang mapalibutan sila ng mga tao ng corrupt official. Sumugod kasi sila sa kuta nito when they finally acquired a warrant of arrest with the help of the man's daughter, Renalea. "Ni hindi ko pa napupuntahan si Georgina."

"Hindi ka naman kasi kasama, pabibo ka masyado," singhal naman sa kanya ng panganay na Montecillo. "Sabi na kasing sa bahay ka na lang. Di na kaya ng tuhod mo makipagbakbakan."

"Hindi lang ikaw ang black belter dito," anas niya. "And by the looks of it, you need all the help you can get."

Kinailangan  nilang malampasan muna ang mga tauhan nito para tuluyan nang mahuli ang lalaki. Things got a but messier when Renato Ibañez took his gun out and was about to shoot Inno.

They all did not expect Renalea to come in between and save his cousin's life. Dinala nila agad ang babae sa ospital na agad namang naagapan. Renato Ibañez was now behind bars and Inno can finally breathe.

"What are you doing here?" singhal agad sa kanya ni Georgina nang pagbuksan siya nito ng pinto.

When all of that was settled, the only thing he wanted to do was find Georgina. Ni hindi niya na naisipang mag-ayos o kung ano pa man.

"Did hell finally kicked you out for trying to overthrow Satan?"

Hindi niya napigilan ang sariling mapangisi. Georgina looked cute being pissed and all.

"How you doin', princess?" he teased because she was wearing a Disney princess shirt. But the girl did not answer and instead stared at him. Mas lalo pa tuloy lumapad ang kanyang ngisi. "Stop staring or I might kiss you. At alam na alam mo kung saan tayo hahantonh the moment I get the chance to taste those lips pf yours."

Baka makabuo sila ngayong gabi ding ito.

"B-Bakit ka nga andito?" Georgina stuttered. Nagiwas din ito saglit ng tingin bago muling bumaling sa kanya. "At bakit ganyan ang itsura mo? I heard River's back. Nag-away nanaman ba kayo?"

Dagling napakunot ang noo niya. How'd she know about that? Yes, he and River got into small arguments whenever he visits the mansion after flying to somewhere. Basta na lang kasi nitong iniwan ang ospital with no one to handle it. Buti na lang at nandoon si Jarvis. But the guy's also busy with his family now.

Jarvis. Tama. She kept tabs about him and his family through Jarvis or Naia.

"Ikaw, hindi mo na inintindi 'yung pinsan mo eh may pinagdaraanan 'yon—"

He ignored her lecture and went straight inside her unit. Agad niyang napansin ang pagiiba ng mga dekorasyon doon.

"You changed the accents again," he tried to change the subject. "Were you really that bored?"

George sassed him again and it was quite entertaining seeing her like that. He then tried to tease her na mas lalong kinainis ng babae. Hanggang sa nauwi nanaman ang argumento nila sa huli nilang paguusap.

It was at his birthday party when he announced his plans on leaving. They fell into an argument that day too.

"You're leaving?! Ganon na lang 'yon?! You're such an asshole, Dos!"

"And you're the brat who left after one argument. Sino ngayon ang nangiiwan?"

He didn't really mean that. Sadang masama lang ang timpla niya nung araw na yon dahil nagpatong-patong na ang frustrations at inis dahil aa sunod-sunod na tanong ng kanyang mga magulang. He even tried to call her but she wouldn't answer.

So, as payback, he decided to tease her today.

"Ganito?" he leaned in closer to her at kitang-kita ang pamumula ng mga pisngi nito. "Hmn? Pa'nong ganyan?"

He leaned even closer that made Georgina close her eyes. Hindi niya tuloy napigilang matawa.

"Pfft."

"I fucking hate you!" George screamed. "Nakakabwisit ka!"

He laughed even more dahil namumula ito sa sobrang inis. But his laughter vanished when he saw tears stream down her cheeks. Napatingin agad siya dito.

"George—"

Georgina flinched at his touch. Tumayo ito ng tuwid at nilayuan siya.

"Tapos ka na? Tapos ka na bang paglaruan yung feelings ko?"

Hindi siya nakasagot and sat there dumbfounded. Paglaruan? She's not playing with her—

"Ako tapos na," deklara nito. Pain dominanta in her eyes. "Ayoko na. Hindi ko na kaya 'to, Dos. I'm sick and tired of you playing with me. Nakakapagod na. I'm done."

"Georg—"

Georgina ran towards the room and slammed the door shut. Napabuntong-hininga siya. This was all his fault. If he hadn't let his fear get in the way, hindi niya sana nasaktan ng ganito si Georgina.

If only he wasn't a coward. If only he trusted Georgina enough and din't treat her like a porcelain doll. If only...

He sighed. Now, Georgina's in pain. Again. At dahil nanaman iyon sa kanya. Wala na talaga siyang ibanh naging dulot kundi sakit at pighati sa babaeng mahal niya.

"Ayoko na... Hindi ko na kaya 'to, Dos..."

Biglang nanikip ang kanyang dibdib. And then he felt blood ooze out of his nose.

Shit.

He needed to leave. Hindi pwede dito siya abutan ng kanyang sakit. Kailangan niya nang makaalis.

But before he could even reach halfway towards the door, he fell on the hardwood floor and blacked out. He was too late.

🐱

"Please hurry, Vis. Please."

Nagising si Dos dahil sa mga hikbi ni George. As he opened his eyes, his vision started to focus on a crying Georgina with her phone on her ear.

He silently cursed. Mukhang nag-panic ito at tinawagan ang pinsan niya. Napaka-OA pa din naman ng mga iyon pagdating sa sakit niya.

"Ang ingay mo," he spat making the girl turn towards her.

"Dos!" George yelled as soon as she saw him sit upright. Agad siya nitong niyakap kaya muli siyang natumba sa sahig kasama nito. "Oh my God! I thought... I thought—"

"Nahilo lang ako," agap niya dito. Dizziness was one of the side effects of the drug he's been taking. "Kung makaiyak ka, parang patay na ako."

Hinampas siya nito bigla sa dibdib that made him chuckle a bit. Umiiyak pa din ito.

"You were lying unconscious on the floor!" she ranted. "Tapos your nose was bleeding pa. Of course I'd panic! I thought... I thought..."

He sighed and decided to just make up an excuse. He's not sure if he can just drop the bomb at her like that.

"Shh..." He hugged her tighter and kissed her on the forehead. "Tumama lang dun sa eskaparate yung ilong ko kaya dumugo. I'm fine. Tama na ang iyak."

"Pero—"

"I'm fine, George." He cut her off. "Call Jarvis and tell him I'm fine. Huhugasan ko lang mukha ko at kinalat mo pa ata lalo yung dugo kakapunas."

Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo. George wanted to help but he refused. Kaya nang humakbansiya, muli siyang nabuwal at natumba sa sahig.

"Dos!"

Shit. He felt that sharp stirring pain on his side again. He cursed.

"Wait here. Ako na lang ang kukuha ng pamunas—"

"I told you, I'm fine!" bulalas niya in frustration. Nagulat si George sa inasa niya kaya't napaatras ito ng kaunti.

Nagulat siya sa nagawa kaya't napabuntong-hininga siya't nag-iwas ng tingin. He shouldn't have reacted that way. Hindi niya dapat binunton dito ang inis sa sarili at sa sitwasyon.

Damn this illness!

"I'm fine." Then he wiped the remaining blood off his nose and turned towards her.  "George I—I'm good. Kulang lang ako sa tulog so don't worry too much. Just... Just stay, okay? Dito ka lang sa tabi ko and I'll be fine."

"But Dos—" he sensed frustration in her tone too. Kaya he had to do the only thing he knew that would shut her up. The thing he's been dying to do since the last time he saw her.

Kinabig niya ito at pinagsakop ang kanilang mga labi. It didn't take long for her to respond and kiss him back.

"I missed you..." bulong niya as he cupped her face. So much...

It didn't take long for them to finally give in to their feelings. Paunti-unti na ring nalalagas ang suot ng babae while he kissed her senselessly.

Miss na miss niya na ito. God knows kung gaano siya kasabik na muling mahagkan ito—

Natigil sila nang biglang may sunod-sunod na katok na nanggaling mula sa pintuan.

"Rhi! It's Jarvis. Andito na kami ng doktor—"

He groaned as he rolled back and laid on the floor with his arm shielding his eyes. He muttered curses while George chuckled.

"I panicked," pagdadahilan nito bago tinakbo ang pinto at binuksan iyon. She already had her top back on.

"Where is he—shit. Dos!"

Agad itong pumasok kasunod ang doktor at nilapitan siya. He was already okay kaya agad niya itong pinigilan.

"I'm fine," he said with finality. Gusto niya lang ngayon ay ang umalis na ito para magawa na niya ang gusto. "Nag-over react lang si George—"

"This is the second time this week, Dos," Jarvis slipped, shocking George. "We told you to stay still. Kaya na namin ni Kuya at River si Tito Renato but you insisted. Ayan tuloy napagod ka—"

"Vis." He cut his cousin off. If he was going to tell Georgina, gusto niya ay sa hindi ganitong paraan.

"Jarvis mentioned that your nose bled," bigla nanamang singit ni Dr. Zamora. He's one of his physicians since they first found out about his condition. "Your condition's not getting any better, hijo. You need to—"

"Let's talk about it tomorrow," putol niya agad dito. "I'm fine. Dito na lang muna ako magpapalipas ng gabi—"

"No."

Agad siyang napabaling kay Georgina. She looked serious and wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

"Why talk about it tomorrow kung pwede naman ngayon? Talk."

He could sense tension in her voice. Agad naman umagap si Jarvis. But he too was cut off.

"Rhi—"

"What condition po? His condition's getting worse? W-What condition?" Georgina asked Dr. Zamora. But couldn't answer for him. Bumaling ito sa kanya.

He sighed. Wala na siyang magagawa. Naririto na ito so might as well just come clean and tell her about everything.

"Georgina," said and squeezed her hand gently. "I have cancer."

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