Chapter 51: While You Were Sleeping

"Aya... Aya..."

My heart totally went out to Prince as he knelt down and tried to wake Aya. She didn't respond to his gentle urgings.

"Aya ligtas na tayo, gumising ka na baby..." he pushed the blood-matted strands of her hair away from her face. "Please, Goddess..." Hindi ko rin mapigilan yung luha ko. Nakita kong lumuhod sa kabilang side si Alfredo at ginagap ang kamay ni Aya.

"Baby girl, andito na si kuya..." Hinalikan niya ang likod nito, "andito na si kuya Diosa." I went to his side and wrapped my arms around his shoulders as he shook in silent sobs.

"I need immediate evacuation. A7 is in critical condition. Bullet wounds to the chest, lacerations and a head concussion." I heard Lily send an urgent message to HQ.

"Copy that, emergency evac team will be there in thirty seconds," Reaper answered.

"Diosa, sorry... sorry..." My heart wrenched at his sobs. "Kasalanan ko 'to..." I know he's blaming himself for not being there. For not being fast enough... or not doing enough.

"Alfred, hindi mo kasalanan." I hugged him. He didn't seem to hear me.

"Med evac is here." Nagbabaan ang paramedics na lulan ng ambulansya. Agad nilang in-assess ang kalagayan ni A7.

"We need to get her to the nearest hospital," the medic said. Nilagyan nila kaagad ng pressure yung sugat ni Aya at inilagay siya sa stretcher. "Sir, kailangan po nating magmadali. She's losing too much blood."

"SASAMA AKO!" Alfredo and Prince shouted at the same time.

"Sir, kailangan po talaga kayong sumama. Humiga na po kayo," Sabi nung medic kay Prince. Patuloy ang pag-agos ng dugo sa kanyang mga tinamong tama ng baril pero parang hindi niya nararamdaman. "Sige na sir, dun na po tayo sa ambulansiya." Pumayag naman si Prince na maisakay sila ni Aya.

"Alfredo, halika na," I pulled him by the arm pero hinapit niya ako sa baywang at naramdaman ko ang pagnginig ng kanyang mga balikat at tulo ng luha sa aking leeg.

"Trixie, bakit si Aya? Bakit hindi ko na naman siya nailigtas?" I pulled away from him and cupped his face.

"No, no... hindi ganoon Alfred. You did your best," I reassured him. "Halika, sumunod na tayo sa ospital." He nodded dumbly. I led him to the passenger side dahil alam kong wala siya sa tamang wisyo para mag-drive.

"She'll be fine. Trust in the Lord, Alfred." I kissed his forehead before I started the car.

--------------

I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. Tita Delia's quite sobs drifted to my ears. Kuya Alphonse is murmuring something low to soothe her but he's not being very successful. I heard the door close and saw Maria stand up and run to follow kuya Ali.

I heaved a sigh. Kakatapos lang ng operasyon kay baby girl. Nakatulala at nakahawak pa rin sa salamin ng viewing area si Adam. Lahat kami ay halos nakatulala at hindi makapaniwala sa nangyari.

" 'Tol, okay ka lang?" Tinapik ko ang balikat ni Adam. Bumuntong-hininga siya bago umiling.

"Paano ako magiging okay? Ghad, paano nila nagawa 'to kay Diosa?" Naihilamos ni Adam ang kamay niya sa mukha. "They are going to pay for this."

Honestly I'm at a total loss. Hindi ko alam kung anong pwedeng gawin.

"At least the rape kit was negative," I heard Adam mutter as he straightened on his seat. "So much for some good news."

I would have to admit, nabawasan yung galit namin nung masiguro naming hindi na-rape si Diosa. I don't know what Kuya Ali would do. Sa totoo lang, even now those goons in custody would probably wish na kasama sila sa namatay sa shoot-out. Kuya Ali can be quite... heartless.

"Puntahan ko lang si Z," I felt Adam stand up from his seat beside mine. Oo nga pala, dito rin naka-confine si Rin. She got shrapnel embedded on her side from the blast. Pati yung ibang agents like Yhona and Edge ay naka-confine din.

"Sige," tumayo na rin ako at nagpaalam kami kay Kuya Alphonse at Tita Delia.

I went out into the corridor and sat on one of the seats. Hindi ako mapakali. Despite Diosa being only my half-sister, mahal na mahal ko siya. She was the thread that bound everyone together, the sunshine to our family, and losing her feels like being plunged into an endless night.

I fished my phone out of my pocket. I just need to hear her voice.

"Hello?" Marinig ko lang ang boses niya, gumagaan na pakiramdam ko.

"Aidan?" I held my phone tightly in my hand. The line is silent... waiting... waiting for something...

"Aidan... I'm sorry," her voice... her voice soothes me. Knowing that she's there on the other line, safe and sound.

"Sorry babycake, wala lang kasi akong maisip na tawagan," I could hear her sigh on the other end of the line. "Saka bakit ka nag-so-sorry babycake?"

"Aidan... I've been surveying their movement for the whole week. Maybe, if I'd..."

"No babycake," I grimaced when I remembered that I almost lost her too because of them. "You did what you were supposed to do. While me... I feel so useless."

"That's not true Aidan," she protested. "Ngayon... ngayon ka kailangan ng family niyo. They need you to keep them strong." Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya.

"Mahal mo na 'ko niyan?" I teased her.

"Yeah."

I stared at my phone like it had suddenly sprouted wings. What the heck?!

"Oh, shocked ka na niyan?"

"Babycake... I mean... wow..." I can't believe she'd say something... quite unlike her.

"Aidan... I realized something you see," she paused, as if searching for the right words. "You see, anything could happen in my line of work." It's true. The pain of knowing she's out there risking her life on her job keeps me wide-awake at night. "I could... anytime can be the last time..."

"So I want you to know..."

She was so quite that I feel like I'm holding my breath for her next words.

"I love you Aidan."

----------------

I closed the door gently and slowly slid down the floor. I put a hand against the ache in my chest. Sobrang sakit na parang hindi ako makahinga.

Before, I didn't believe in breaking hearts... my rational mind refused to acknowledge something so incredibly irrational.

I had to step away. Hindi ko kayang panoorin lahat ng kapatid ko na mag-break down... watching them like this...

Hurts me. Deeply.

Hindi ko pa rin matanggap. Hindi ko kayang tanggapin. Ilang beses ko nang pinapa-ulit-ulit sa isip ko ang lahat ng scenario, ang lahat ng posibleng mangyari pero paanong...?

How the hell did my calculations go wrong?

I feel like I should have done something else.

Damn it, I'm Alistair Damien Zabala. Para saan pa ang lahat ng pagiging genius ko kung hindi ko kayang pangalagaan pati sarili kong pamilya?

I've never wanted my family to get involved in this... kaya ako umalis noon. Kaya pinili ko na lumayo.

"Alistair?"

I heard her soft knock on the door. I immediately wiped my tears and tried to compose myself.

"Ali, I know you're there... talk to me, please?"

"Yes, sandali lang darling," I stood up and opened the door. Her eyes took me in before she gathered me in her arms.

"Oh, Ali..." She pushed back the hair from my face. "She's going to be fine."

"Y-you don't understand...I-I h-had to watch her die... t-twice on that operating table tonight..." Hindi ko mapigilan ang panginginig ng boses ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko nakayang maging kalmado habang ipinapaliwanag ng doctor yung chances ni Aya. The bullets were the exploding type and they fragmented when they hit her rib cage. The fragments hit her heart and getting it out would cause massive haemorrhage and kill her faster, pero kung hahayaan naman, mamamatay rin siya after a few hours.

I had to sign the f*ckin' waiver to absolve the hospital if she died.

She flat-lined twice. Kuya Alfredo walked out after the first one. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya pumunta. Halos mamatay si Mommy sa kakaiyak.

"It's not-" I held a finger on her lips.

"Don't say that it's not my fault. Please, don't say it's not my fault..."

"Pero Ali..."

"...because it is MY fault. Hindi ko siya dapat iniwan." I buried my face on her neck and sobbed on her shoulder.

"Ali, you can't be at two places at once. Wag mong sisihin ang sarili mo, please?" Maria dropped kisses on the top of my head. "Please? Hindi mo gusto yung nangyari. Alam ko mahal mo ang pamilya mo."

"Maria, I won't forgive them." I lifted my face and touched our foreheads. "They'll wish for death for a very long time."

------------

I slipped inside her room as quiet as possible. She's deeply asleep, probably the after effects of anaesthesia in her system. They wouldn't have been able to keep her down if she wasn't drugged.

I sat down on the chair beside her bed and took her hand in mine. Pati kamay niya may benda from all the shrapnel. I pushed some of the hair covering her face. The moonlight made her features almost delicate.

I want to protect her, isn't that what a man needs to do for his woman? A father to his daughter, a husband to his wife...

A brother to his sister.

Yet, I wasn't able to do that. I wasn't able to protect anyone. Until now I can hear Aya's cries ringing in my ears. I can hear Kuya Alfredo's rage when he stormed out of the operating room. I could clearly picture Prince's anguish as the paramedics pried him away from Aya so they could start operating on him too.

Too much blood. Too much pain.

This is something right out of a telenovela. Except I'm not sitting in front of the TV, and it's my family and friends that are involved.

How did it ever come to this?

When Kuya Aidan got hurt during the last mission it was devastating for everyone. With Aya...

It's revisiting that nightmare again.Only this time it much, much deeper. Just thinking about how much my little, innocent sister had to suffer. Almost raped, attacked, stuck in a barrel, then shot to the chest... my fingers itched to hurt someone.

"A?" I looked up to see her watching me with a sad expression. How lonely it must be. Hindi man lang pwedeng malaman ng pamilya niya yung kalagayan niya. She has no family but the agency.

"Irina," I stroked her cheek and she leaned on my hand.

"A... si A7?" I smiled bitterly at her.

"She's alive." I saw her nod.

"Good. I guess... I guess I didn't fail then," she smiled at me. She looked so beautiful and brave. All banged-up and bruised, yet ang unang nasa isip niya ay kung ligtas ang ibang tao.

"Yeah, you did good Irina," I kissed the back of her bandaged hand. "Really good."

"Are you okay?" She asked. She seems really mellow. Malayo sa mainitin ang ulong babae na kilala ko.

"I... I don't know yet." The truth is, I don't think anyone in our family would be okay until Diosa wakes up.

"Oh...um..." I was surprised when she sat up and gathered me in her arms. "She's gonna be fine." She patted my back awkwardly.

"I hope so," I clung to her. "I don't know what Kuya Ali or Alfredo would do."

"Let's just pray for her," I nodded at that.

"Irina?" I still held her in my arms. I feel like I need to tell her. I just can't let this opportunity pass.

"Hmmm?"

"If... if it's okay," I paused and disentangled from her. I took both her hands on mine. "Can I be your home?"

-------------

Fire. I feel on fire. I tried to move pero parang napakabigat ng katawan ko. I tried moving a finger, a toe... sobrang hirap.

'Prince ko...'

Kilala ko ang tinig na yon. Tinatawag niya ko. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang kanyang boses.

Aya?

'Sabi mo hindi mo 'ko iiwan di ba?'

Hindi kita iiwan, bakit kita iiwan?

'Promise?'

Aya, bakit mo sinasabi yan? Nasaan ka baby?

Pero walang sumasagot.

Aya? AYA?!

I woke up in cold sweat.

My body felt alien to me. My whole upper torso is covered in bandages. Blood is seeping through on my left shoulder where I must have strained it too much. Madilim ang paligid pero naaaninag ko ang taong nakatayo sa may pintuan at pinagmamasdan ako.

"Kuya Alphonse..." I whispered hoarsely. His eyes were the only things not covered in shadow. I saw him move to sit on the chair beside my bed.

"Kuya si Aya po?" I tried to sit up but he put a restraining hand on my chest.

"It's better if you get some rest," he said in a gentle tone.

"Kuya Alphonse, si Aya po? Kamusta na po siya? Pwede ko ba siyang makita?" Ang tagal niyang sumagot. Bakit ang tagal niyang sumagot? "Kuya-"

"She's alive. Nasa ICU si Aya." I breathed a sigh of relief. Mabuti naman, akala ko may nangyari na sa kanya.

"Okay na siya di ba? Pwede ko ba siyang puntahan?" I smiled hopefully at him, "pwede po kuya?"

He shook his head. I could see tears in his eyes at kinabahan ako, "kuya bakit po? Ano pong nangyari kay Aya?" The cold fingers of fear started gripping my heart.

"It's better kung magpagaling ka muna," he nodded and patted my hand awkwardly. Lalo lang nanlamig ang aking pakiramdam. Parang kakapusin ulit ako ng hininga.

"Kuya... sandali kuya Alphonse," I caught his arm and grimaced at the pain lancing on my shoulders.

"Prince, kailangan ko nang umalis." I shook my head vehemently. Lalo kong hinigpitan ang hawak kay Kuya Alphonse.

"Kuya ano pong nangyari kay Aya? Parang awa mo na kuya, please?"

"You've been asleep for two days..." he breathed deeply. "Masama yung pagkabagok ng ulo ni Aya. She... she had brain haemorrhage."

Para akong tinamaan ng kidlat sa sinabi ni Kuya Alphonse. Bigla kong nabitawan ang braso niya.

No.

"She's in a coma, Prince."

---------------

Two weeks later...

I nodded to the bouncer as he let me inside the club. Maingay ang tugtugan at maraming ilaw ang malikot na umiikot sa dance floor. Sweaty bodies danced to the loud beat of the house music. I let my eyes roam around the room to find who I'm looking for.

I spotted him slumped over a bottle of scotch in a private booth. I counted four... no five empty bottles on the table. Damn, alas-diyes pa lang.

"Hey there..." his husky voice still send shivers down my spine despite being slurred by his heavy drinking. He pulled my hand and I lost my balance and fell on his lap.

"Hi, Love..." I could feel him bury his face on my hair. "You smell good Trixie." He started kissing the side of my neck and I pulled away and pushed his face with my hand.

"Ano ba Alfredo!" Tiningnan ko siya ng masama pero nginisian niya lang ako. His hand slid around my waist.

"Na-miss kita eh, di mo ba ako na-miss Love?" He pouted like little kid. "Miss na kita..." He started to pull me closer and I pushed his hands away.

"Tumigil ka nga, mag-usap tayo." I said seriously.

"Inom na lang tayo?" He waved his half-empty bottle of Jack.

"Alfredo, kelan ka pa last umuwi?" I asked him and he frowned at me.

"Mabaho na ba 'ko Love? Kaya ba ayaw mo magpa-kiss?" I breathed deeply. He is really trying my patience.

"Oo," he genuinely looked abashed. "Pero hindi yun ang importante. Alfredo, stop this please?"

"Stop what?" He looked away from my gaze. Alam kong alam niya ang ibig kong sabihin. He hasn't been himself since...since the incident.

"This! Yung paglalasing mo araw-araw... napapabayaan mo na ang sarili mo, ang restaurant... Alfredo," I pulled his face to gaze at his blood-shot eyes. "Wag mo 'tong gawin sa sarili mo, please?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," medyo galit na ang boses niya. Binawi niya ang kanyang tingin.

"Umuwi ka. Maligo ka. Puntahan mo ang kapatid mo." I gritted my teeth. Naiinis ako sa ginagawa niya. "Matulog ka nga. Mukha ka ng zombie."

"I can't sleep Trixie..." I swallowed the hard lump on my throat. I saw the tears on the corners of his eyes. "Tuwing ipipikit ko yung mata ko nakikita ko lagi yung pagkamatay ni Aya sa operating table."

"Alfredo, buhay si Aya. Ano ka ba?" I shook his shoulders. "It's been two weeks since the incident. Hindi mo ba siya pupuntahan?"

"Hindi ko kaya..." he closed his eyes. "Umalis ka na Trixie."

"Alfredo, akala ko ba mahal mo si Aya?" I tried to pull his face towards me.

"Hindi ko siya kayang tingnan na naghihirap." The tears are falling freely now. Parang nadudurog ang puso ko na makita siyang umiiyak. All of the Zabalas have been far from okay since the incident. Lalo na si Boss. If he was vicious before, now he's a total monster.

"And this... this helps?" I pointed at the bottle on his hand. "Akin na nga 'yan. Ang aga-aga lasing ka na!" I tried to pull the bottle pero mahigpit ang hawak niya.

"Shut up, Trixie." He pushed me away at tumama ako sa lamesa. The empty bottles fell on the floor and broke. Nagtinginan ang mga tao na naroon.

"No, you shut up! You're a mess..." Hinawakan ko ang balakang ko. Ang sakit!

"YES I AM! NOW GET OUT!" He smashed the last bottle against the booth and it broke into pieces as well.

"Tuwing tahimik naririnig ko yung boses niyang humihingi ng tulong sa'kin..." Sapo niya ang kanyang mukha at napahagulgol. I can feel how miserable he is. I knelt down beside him and gathered him in my arms.

"Alfred, tama na please? Tama na..."

"Wala akong nagawa Trixie. I promised I won't let her down again," he sobbed.

"Hindi mo kasalanan... Please, puntahan mo si Aya. Talk to her," I pulled his hands away from his face and kissed his forehead."Baka hinihintay ka lang niya para gumising siya."

"Paano kung di na siya magising?"

"Bakit, kapag di siya gumising... iiwan mo na siya?" I saw the glint of anger in his eyes.

"NO!" He shouted at me. Lumapit yung bouncer pero I just shooed him off with a hand. "What the h*ll? How can you say that?" Sinampal ko siya.

"Hindi ba inaabandona mo siya ngayon? Ano bang tawag mo dito sa ginagawa mo? Nakakatulong ba to?!" Hindi ko na rin napigil na maiyak.

"Trixie..." he caught my tears in his fingers. "I'm sorry..."

"Alfredo please, please... kung mahal mo si Aya wag mo 'tong gawin. Do you think she wants you to destroy your life?" He shook his head as he pulled me closer and held me tightly like I was the only lifeline he had in the middle of a storm.

-------------

Two months later...

The lone light swung in a slow arc and illuminated the garish blood painting the walls.

I stopped what I'm doing and dipped my hand on the cold water in the basin. The water immediately turned a dark rosy color as I washed away some of the blood. I wiped my hands clean on a towel as I surveyed my handiwork.

Velasco hung by the skin of his back on metal hooks suspended from the ceiling. I took the basin of water and dumped it on his head to wake him up.

"Please..." he whispered hoarsely as he looked up at me with bleary eyes. "Patayin m-mo na ko..." He barely had any voice left after what I did to him. I narrowed my eyes and took the whip that I left on the table.

"No." I smiled at him before I flicked the tip on his cheek.

"Lahat ng gusto mong ikaso, ikaso mo na..." he cried at mas lalo akong nabwisit sa pagmumukha niyang nagpapaawa. "Lahat ng kayamanan ko kunin niyo na... parang awa mo na, pakawalan mo 'ko."

"Akala mo ba tungkol to sa pera?" I pulled back my arm and gave him two sharp whips. "This. Was. Never. About. Money." I emphasized my words with each blow. He didn't even have the strength to cry out. Napaihi na siya sa sakit.

I heard someone enter the room and I paused on what I am doing.

"Sabi ko walang papasok di ba?" I snarled.

I heard the sound of the arrow as it wooshed past my face and felt the sting as it grazed my cheek. A wet thud behind me and a croaking sound meant it reached its target.

"P*tangina Rika," I cursed softly at the figure by the door. She looked really angry as she marched to where I am.

"Is this what you should be doing?" She whispered harshly at me. "What the h*ll Alistair?"

"Hindi mo dapat pinapakialaman ang mga bagay na wala kang pakialam." I gripped her arm and glared at her.

"Do you think Aya will be happy at the monster you've become?" I went rigid at her words. The wounds have never really healed, more like festered and now they feel fresh again.

"Rika... you don't know what you're saying..." I licked my upper lip.

"They hurt her, I understand and you're taking your revenge," She touched my hand. "But Ali, you can't succumb to the darkness."

"It's too late now, Rika..." I smiled bitterly.

"Nothing's too late Ali." She gently shook her head. "Maraming nangangailangan sa'yo. Please, stop this."

I shook my head at her. "Alam ko... pero hindi ako santo Rika."

"Ali, by doing this you are not honouring Aya. In fact you are tarnishing whatever the h*ll it is that she stood for. Tama na Ali..." I swallowed hard and tried to stop the tears.

"Your family needs you. The agency needs you."

"Your child needs you."

I let go of her hand at that last statement.

My... child?

"Rika?" I raised wondering eyes at her. She nodded and gave me a smile.

"Yes Alistair. You're going to be a father."

----------------

Eight months later...

"At saan ka na naman pupunta?" Nakakunot-noo si Mama nang halikan ko siya sa pisngi.

"Kay Goddess po," pagpapaalam ko.

"Prince, maupo ka nga at mag-usap tayo." Ibinaba ni Mama ang magasin na hawak niya. Napilitan naman akong maupo sa harap niya.

"Bakit po Ma?"

"Anak," panimula niya at hinawakan ako sa braso. "Hindi sa nakikialam na naman ako pero hindi kaya makabubuti kung lumabas ka naman kasama ng mga kaibigan mo? Parati ka na lang tumatambay sa ospital. Baka mapano ka anak."

"Ma, okay lang po ako." I rose and kissed her cheek, "iniintay na po ako ni Aya."

Napabuntong-hininga si Mama, "Hay nako Roman, ikaw nga kumausap diyan sa anak mo." Napatingin ako kay Papa. Simula nung makidnap ako, mas madalas na nila akong pinapauwi dito sa bahay. Parang napaparanoid na rin sila at madalas tumawag sa cellphone para i-check kung kamusta ako.

"Prince, hindi kaya... magandang subukan mo lumabas at makakilala ng ibang tao," Hindi ko gusto yung pinapatunguhan ng usapan at di ko mapigilan sumimangot.

"Pa, kung si Mama ang nasa ospital, kaya mo ba siyang iwan?"

"Asawa ko ang mama mo, magkaiba yon. Anak bata ka pa. It's been eight months," he breathed a sigh. "Perhaps, you need to find new inspiration."

"Papa si Aya ang dahilan kung bakit ako nagpupursige. I'm doing all I can to graduate on time kasi gusto ko pag-gising niya makita niya na hindi ko sinayang ang panahon ko. Gusto kong tuparin yung pangako ko sa kanya." I turned my back without waiting for their answer... or their blessing.

"Paano kapag hindi na siya gumising? Habang buhay kang maghihintay?" I stopped on my tracks. Alam kong nakatingin sila at hinihintay ang sagot ko.

"If that's what it takes." I answered them bitterly.

"Nababaliw ka na." I heard Mama say. I opened the door and closed it behind me.

"I'm not giving up." I refused to let them see me cry.

I got on my bike and rode back to the hospital. Kilala na ako ng mga nurse dahil araw-araw naman akong narito kapag tapos na ang klase ko. I high-fived the nurse na kalalabas lang mula sa kwarto ni Aya to check her.

"Hay, andito na naman si Prince Charming," she pinched my cheek. "O sige, iniintay ka na ni Sleeping Beauty." She giggled.

"Goddess siya, hindi Sleeping Beauty." I corrected her and she laughed. "Gigising na kaya siya today?"

"Malay mo," she patted my shoulder. "Mahal mo talaga siya, noh?" Napangiti ako sa kanya.

"She's gonna be my wife when she wakes up."

"Goodluck." Tinapik niya ang balikat ko bago ako tuluyang pumasok sa kwarto ni Aya.

Lumapit ako sa kama kung saan siya nahihimbing at hinalikan siya sa noo,"Hi Goddess, kamusta na baby ko?" I took the bouquet of carnations and roses na dala ko at pinalitan yung flowers sa vase na naroon sa side table niya.

"I have good news for you," I sat down beside her and took her limp hand. "Graduation na in three weeks. Best in thesis ako." I kissed her hand. "Happy ka ba?" I think I imagined her smiling at me with her special smile. "I love you Aya."

"Sana, sana makita mo kami ni Adam. Summa cum laude yung kuya mo," I told her. Ugali ko ng kwentuhan siya ng lahat ng nangyayari sa paligid niya. Sai kasi ng doctor kahit daw tulog siya, maaring naririnig niya kami.

"Bibinyagan na nga pala yung mga pamangkin mo next week. Ang cute nila Astrid at Altair. Sobrang proud sila Kuya Ali at Maria." Maria gave birth last month. Medyo napaaga dahil first baby nila at twins pa. Noon ko lang nakitang halos mabaliw ulit si Kuya Ali sa pag-alala.

"Goddess, miss na kita." Pinisil-pisil ko yung kamay niya. "Miss ko na yung kiss mo."

"Wow Goddess nga..." I turned at the sound of that loud whisper to see a girl of perhaps eight standing by the door. Bigla niyang tinakpan yung bunganga niya at sinarado ang pinto.

Tumayo ako at sinundan siya. Nakita kong pumasok siya sa kwarto na katapat nung kay Aya.

Kumatok ako at napansin kong bukas ang pinto kaya pumasok na ako.

"Hi," bati ko sa kanya.

"Hi po," nag-blu-blush siya habang nakaupo sa ibabaw ng kama.

Biglang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok yung nurse na nag-ro-rounds. "Isabelle, andito ka na pala. Kanina pa kita hinahanap!"

"Sorry po!" She grinned cheekily.

"Andito ka pala Prince Charming," bati sa akin nung nurse.

"Ah, opo. Pumasok kasi siya sa kwarto ni Aya." I smiled sheepishly.

"Ah, oo kahapon pa nga niya ako kinukulit. Sino daw yung anghel sa kabilang kwarto."

"Ang ganda niya po eh! Asawa niyo po?" Baling ng bata sa akin. Natawa ako sa kanya.

"Magiging asawa. I'm just waiting for her to wake up." Bumaba siya sa kama at niyakap ako.

"Kuya, bagay na bagay po kayo. Ang gwapo niyo po saka mahal na mahal niyo siya."

"Hay naku bata ka, tama na nga yan. Ito uminom ka na ng gamot mo." The nurse scolded her.

"Basta kuya bagay po kayo," she insisted.

"Sige, tama na kakabola mo kay Prince." I said goodbye to them and went back to Aya's room.

I let my gaze roam around the room. Andaming pictures ng mga kapatid niya doon. Araw-araw din kasi silang nagpapalitan ng pagbabantay. Pero may sari-sariling buhay din sila at masaya akong makitang unti-unti din silang nakakabalik sa buhay nila. May mga panahong masakit at nakakalungkot pero mas nananaig yung pag-asa ko na gigising si Aya at babalik sa akin. I filled the room with photos, paintings and messages kasi ayokong ma-miss niya ang mga importanteng moments sa pamilya niya.

Mali sila papa at mama. Hindi tumigil ang mundo ko nung mahimbing si Aya. In fact, I appreciated my life more because now I lived her life in every canvas, every panel, and every pixel frame.

Aya, hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa.

"I non relinquam vos."

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Ten months later...

Naalimpungatan ako sa malamig na simoy ng hangin na dumampi sa aking pisngi. Hindi ko napansin na naiwan ko palang bukas ang bintana. I stretched and stood up to close the window. I sat beside Aya's bed and fixed the covers around her.

"Kuya Prince," I turned and saw Isabelle by the doorway.

"Hi little girl, okay ka na?" She walked close to Aya's bed and held her hand. Isang linggo ng malala ang sakit niya at pabalik-balik siya sa ICU. Sabi ng nurse wala daw lunas ang sakit niya.

"I will pray for her Kuya. I will ask God to return your Goddess to earth." She said as she touched Aya's face.

"Thank you Isabelle," I smiled at her. She took a step back.

"Aalis na po ako kuya Prince," Pagpapaalam niya sa akin. I waved at her as she slipped out the door.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na ako. Nagising ako sa tunog ng cellphone ko. Tinignan ko ang screen at nakita kong tumatawag si Adam.

"Hello?"

"Hoy ano ba?! Mamaya late ka na naman. Bibigwasan ka na ni Kuya Alphonse," he shouted at me. Tinignan ko ang oras at nakita kong quarter to seven na. Sh*t, lagot ako. I've been working in Kuya Alphonse's construction firm with Adam and Aidan.

"Opo, sige papunta na ako," I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Pagtayo ko ay nagulat ako.

Wala si Aya sa kama. Lukot ang kumot at halatang may humiga doon. I gazed around the room. Kumabog ang dibdib ko ng mapagtanto ko na wala nga talaga siya.

Aya.

Pabalibag kong binuksan ang pinto. May nagkakagulo at umiiyak sa corridor.

"Ano pong nangyayari?" I caught a nurse by the arm.

"Naku yung nariyan kasi sa kabilang kwarto, namatay na kaninang madaling-araw." Kinilabutan ako sa narinig ko.

Si Isabelle...

"Na-nakita niyo po ba si Aya?" Nakakunot-noo ang nurse sa akin.

"Ha?"

"Si Aya, wala po kasi sa kwarto..." I started to explain before I stopped kasi lumabas na ang magulang ni Isabelle sa kwarto nang umiiyak. The nurse turned away and went to them.

I stood there with thoughts racing through my head.

Asan si Aya? I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. She couldn't have gone on her own or very far.

I need to find her. My feet seemed to have a mind of their own as I started to walk.

I found myself in the nearby hospital garden. A familiar figure is sitting on a stone bench and gently touching the tiny santan flowers on a shrub.

"Goddess..." she turned and that familiar smile ignited a flame in my heart. I ran to her and pulled her into my arms.

"Prince ko..." she whispered softly to my ear. I touched her face and laughed.

"G-gising ka na..." Hindi ako makapaniwala. Parang sasabog ang puso ko sa saya.

"Andito na 'ko. I non relinquam vos." She whispered to me before she reached up and kissed my lips.

I realized there are no more tears to shed, no more pain in my heart, no more darkness in my soul. Everything has been washed away by the light... by my Aya.

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A/N:

Salamat sa pagsuporta sa It Started In The Library! Ikaw, oo, IKAW na mambabasa ay naging inspirasyon ko para isulat ang kwentong ito. XD One more chapter before the epilogue.

Happy New Year! Aya and Prince on the media box. :D