I watched in confusion as all color from his face seemed to drain off.

"Gabriel?" His chest heaved heavily, and with this I felt nervosity grip my being. "B-bakit? Anong nangyari?"

Laking gulat ko nang bigla siyang tumayo at kumaripas ng takbo papunta sa main road. Agad naman akong tumayo at hinabol ito. Hala, ano kayang nangyari?

"Gabriel?" Sambit kong muli, watching his worry-tainted face from where I stood. Never had I seen him show such intensity, and the more he remained silent, the more I felt fearful. "Gabriel, anong nangyari?"

He lifted his palm to his forehead, shutting his eyes forcibly as he did, "Y-yung kapatid ko," He breathed, "Nabangga ng jeep. Nasa ospital siya ngayon."

Napa-singhap ako nang marinig ang sambit niya. For a moment I didn't know what to do. I took in a breath, pacing the ground with my gaze as I thought. In a snap I lifted my head, finally coming up with a logical action.

Nagsimula akong maglakad at nagtingin ng bakanteng taxi. Hindi pa lumipas ang isang minuto ay may natanaw akong isa mula sa kabilang intersection. Mabilis akong tumakbo papunta sa kabilang side ng kalsada at sinenyasan ito. Laking tuwa ko naman nang tumigil ito sa harap ko. Agad na ring sumunod si Gabriel, getting in the car in haste as soon as he reached it.

"BGH po," sambit ko sa driver.

Tumango ito at nagsimulang mag-drive. 'Di nagtagal at nakarating narin kami sa ospital. Malapit lang ito sa Burnham kaya wala pang ten minutes eh nakarating na kami.

We walked past the people filled entrance, making our way through the busy corridors swiftly.

Kitang-kita ko ang pag-aalala sa muka ni Gabriel, at hindi ko mapigilang mag-alala rin sa bawat pagsulyap ko sa kaniya. I released a heavy breath.

I know how terrible this feels. Noong na-aksidente ang papa namin noon, grabeng kaba at takot rin ang naramdaman ko - it was the worst, cause it eventually lead to his death. I shook my head and refocused my gaze as I saw a familiar man approach us halfway across the hallway.

"Nasa'n siya, Pa?" Agad na tanong ni Gabriel. The smell of alchohol immediately filled my nose as his father drew near, the same worry was painted in his eyes.

"Nasa emergency room siya," His father informed. "Hindi ko rin alam ang nangyayari. Thirty minutes na kaming nandito nung driver na nakabangga sakaniya,"

Immediately I saw Gabriel's face marred with rage. Dali-dali siyang naglakad papunta sa matandang naka-upo sa gilid, taking him by his collar and throwing a fist towards him.

"Uk*nnam!" His curse resounded along with the screams from the people who saw the old man fall. I felt as though my heart broke as the driver lifted his head, his lip bloodied whilst he looked at Gariel with pleading eyes.

Instinctively I stepped forward and held onto his arm, "Gabriel,"

He lowered his gaze upon me and hissed another curse. Thankfully, lumayo siya mula sa driver bago nagsalita. "Kung may nangyari lang sa kapatid ko," His voice dripped with ire, "I will kill you myself."

Napalunok ako nang marinig ang sambit niya. The anger in his voice was evident, and all the more the old man lowered his head. I understand his worry, pero angsakit naman pakinggan ng mga sinabi niya. I could sense remorse from the old man - it had been an accident.

"P-pakawanen dak, anak*." The old man spoke, asking forgiveness in his tongue, "Handa akong bayaran kung ano man ang gastusin niya dito."

Gabriel paid no heed and paced the floor once more, uneasiness evident from his movement. I bit my lip in apprehension. Lord, Lord please keep his sister safe - deliver her Lord, heal her from any injury she may have had.

"Sino siya?" Narinig kong tanong papa niya. I lifted my head and forced a smile.

"A-ako po si Grace," pakilala ko, "Kaklase po Gabriel, Uncle." Ngumiti akong muli, nodding in acknowledgement as his father briefly smiled back.

A whimsical look gleamed from the man's eye as he stared at Gabriel, "School practice pala ha?" He whispered.

My eyes narrowed in confusion. Bakit? School practice naman talaga ah?

Nagkibit-balikat nalang ako sinundan si Gabriel nang nagtungo siya sa mga upuan sa harap ng emergency room. Tension filled the air we breathed, and with each passing minute I felt the urge to pray - so I did.

Pinanatili kong nakababa ang tingin, uttering silent declarations of healing as I did. Maka-ilang beses na rin nagbukas at sara ang pintuan ng emergency room, but none was heard of Gabriel's sister. I fought back the doubts in my head and continued to declare - taking in a breath with each time I spoke.

Sandali kong sinulyapan si Gabriel, nakayuko lang ito't nakapikit ang mata. I felt a mixture of emotions rage as I gazed at him. Be strong, you will get through this. I wanted to say the words out loud, but I kept my mouth shut, trusting that the Lord will somehow see him through.

Ibinaba kong muli ang tingin at nagdasal, suppressing the nervosity as I began to pray in tongues. Sabi ni Pastor Melchour noon from Corinthians, when we pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit who searches and knows all things prays within us. Hindi ko alam ang nagyayari ngayon sa kapatid ni Gabriel, but I'm sure the Holy Spirit knew exactly what was going on - and at this time I felt that praying in tongues would be most effective.

I shut my eyes in surrender, releasing a long breath as I sought to feel His peace, despite the nervosity.

Lord, kumilos Ka ngayon sa buhay ni Gabriel. Use this pain, use this tragedy... to show him you don't treat people like trash. Panginoon, I beseech You. Use this accident to draw him close instead.

Lord hindi ko po alam ang klase ng sakit at nakaraan na dinanas Niya, but Lord You know all things! And I know that you can heal Him. Just as how You've healed his sister.

Yes, Lord.

I believe You've already healed his sister. You said in Your word that when we ask something, we must believe that we have it and it shall be ours. I cling to Your word, I know You did not lie when You said that, and I trust you with all my heart.

Warm set of tears tainted my cheeks, and as soon as I felt it fall the emergency room's door opened once more. Sabay-sabay kaming tumayo at hinarap ang Doktor na palakad sa aming direksiyon.

"Mr. Daw-as?" The doctor asked, tumango naman ang ama ni Gabriel. "Okay. So thankfully, no major organ had been affected by the blow she had suffered,"

Naka-hinga kami ng maluwag sa nasambit ng doktor, but the relief was soon dulled when the doctor continued to speak. "Unfortunately, it's her bones that's been damaged. She broke three of her ribs, Sir. It may take a while for her to regain the ability to sit up and stand. Kailangan pa siyang ma-obserbahan."

I lowered my head in dismay, questions surging my mind as I thought. Nagpatuloy sila sa pag-uusap, rinig ko ang mga boses nila, pero hindi ko magawang mag-focus sa mga sinasabi ng doctor. My mind seemed blank, dismayed of how the events turned out.

Lord? What do I do now?

Ipinikit ko ang mata at huminga ng malalim, clearing my mind from all thoughts. Peace began to replace the doubts, and with this I heard a familiar voice ring in my head.

Pray...

Inimulat ko ang aking mga mata, taking in a breath as I saw Gabriel turn. "Salamat sa pagsama dito," Sambit niya, "Mag-aalas tres na. Maglalaba ka pa hindi ba? Tara na sa labas para maiparahan kita ng taxi."

Umiling ako at tinignan siya ng maigi. "Nakatransfer na ba sa private room ang kapatid mo?"

"Oo," Kumpirmasyon niya. "Kakalipat lang daw siya kanina."

"Okay lang ba kung puntahan muna natin siya bago ako umalis?"

"Ah," tumango siya, "Sige. Tara muna." He stretched his hand and motioned me to walk with him. After a few turns on the hallways, we finally reached the private room area.

"Nasa room 107 daw siya," sambit ni Gabriel, his eyes upward in search of the said room number. With a few more steps we finally came in front the room, the number 107 boldly printed on its top. Dahan-dahan itong binuksan ni Gabriel, peeking inside as he took the first step.

A young lady lay asleep on the bed inside the room, her comely features becoming clearer sa bawat hakbang namin. It wasn't hard to notice how pretty she looked even in the situation she was in. Despite her bruised cheeks, one can still trace out the comely features that adorned her face. Kamukha niya si Gabriel, pero she was probably two shades lighter. She lay peacefully asleep, and with her sight a heavy sigh escaped my mouth.

Here goes, Lord.

"Gabriel?" I lifted my gaze towards him, "Is it okay if I pray for her?"