Twisted Fate

Stay

REID SIERRA

As I paced outside the operating room, each minute felt like an eternity. The sound of medical equipment hummed in the background, amplifying my worry. I couldn't shake the image of Lily lying on the table, vulnerable and exposed. All I could do was wait, my heart heavy with anticipation.

"f**k, Reid! Can you stop?! Nahihilo na ako kakaikot mo!" Sigaw ng pinsan kong si Errol. Masama ko naman siyang tinignan ng mapahinto ako.

"Did I tell you to stare at me?" I furiously asked while glaring at him. Huminga naman ito ng malalim at napatayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa tapat ng operating room.

Lumakad naman ito papunta sa pintuan ng operating room.

"Where are you going?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Huminto ito at tumingin saakin, "Sa loob. Sasama ka?" Nanghina ako sa tanong niya. Kaya ko bang makita si Lily na nakahiga sa loob, habang inooperahan siya?

"Edi 'wag." Sabi ni Errol at papasok na sana ito nang pigilan ko.

Sabay kaming pumasok doon at napunta sa viewing area. We can actually do this as we are the owners of the hospital. Well, Errol is the one who managed the Sierra Medical Group.

The doctors and nurses are carefully operating her. Nanghihina ang tuhod ko nang makitang walang malay si Lily habang tinatanggal ang bala sa katawan nito.

"Do you love her, Reid?" Natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Errol, kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

He's looking straight at Lily, as both hands are in his side pockets.

"Do you think I can love her in that short period of time, Errol? You know I love Luxury." Napatawa naman si Errol sa sinabi ko at hinarap niya ako.

"Maybe you can fool us, Reid, but not yourself." Ramdam ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko sa sinabi ni Errol.

"You're not someone who typically gets involved in other people's affairs, especially in situations like this." he said. Hinayaan ko nalang ang sarili na makinig sa kanya.

"All your life you've been too focused on Luxury, Reid. At nakakapanibago na makita kang ganito. Saving someone's life because of what?" Natahimik kaming dalawa. Naikuyom ko naman ang kamao ko sa sinabi niya. He's right. This is not me.

"She's the one who ruined your wedding, Reid, yet you saved her." Lumingon ito saakin, tsaka ngumiti.

"Now tell me, hindi mo siya mahal? Because of what? Dahil kakakilala mo palang sa kanya?" Tanong niya.

"Your actions speak louder, Reid."

"Hindi ba pwedeng nag-aalala lang?" Tanong ko sa kanya, tumawa ito ng marahan.

"Sa ganitong lebel ng pag-aalala, Reid? You even involved our Elite team just to save her, do you know how furious lolo is?" Umiwas ako ng tingin kay Errol. He then chuckled again, and tapped my shoulder before he left.

Am I really in love with her?

***

Lily is now peacefully sleeping inside a VIP room after getting out of the operating room. There's still bruises on her skin. And every time I laid my glance on it, nakakaramdam ako ng kirot.

Why would she involve herself in dangerous situations when she appears thin and weak? What motivates her to take such bold actions?

But then I realized that she is a unique woman. Her small size doesn't stop her from doing things, even if she knows there may be consequences. She has a fearless spirit that allows her to face challenges head-on, regardless of her physical limitations. She refuses to let her size hold her back and embraces risks with courage and determination.

"Please! Tama na! Tama na!" Napatayo ako ng sumigaw ito. Nakapikit siya, pero tumutulo ang luha niya, kitang-kita sa kanyang ekspresyon ang takot habang gumagalaw ito para protektahan ang sarili.

Naikuyom ko ang kamao ko dahil sa nangyayari sa kanya. What did they do to her?

Kung sana inalam ko na ang pinaggagawa niya, hindi sana siya aabot sa ganito.

"Lily, wake up." Marahan kong pagtawag sa kanya, pero hindi siya nagigising at patuloy lang sa pagsigaw. Hinawakan ko na ang magkabilang braso niya para gisingin siya.

"Lily!" Sa pangalawang pagtawag ko sa kanya ay naimulat niya ang mga mata niya at napaupo bigla. Bakas sa kanyang mukha ang takot at pagkalito.

"Na-nasaan ako?" Tanong niya, hindi ko siya sinagot, kaya napatingin ito sa kamay niya at tinanggal iyon.

"Lily, stop!" Pero hindi ito nagpaawat saakin at bumaba sa higaan paro kaagad din itong napahawak sa tagiliran niya. Nagdugo ito, kaya kaagad akong tumawag ng doctor.

Lalapit na sana ako, pero kaagad ding natigilan nang sumigaw siya. Her words pierced through the air, filled with a sense of urgency and fear. "Don't come any closer," she pleaded, her voice trembling with a mix of anxiety and desperation. My heart was constricted with a pang of sadness and concern as I witnessed her in such a vulnerable state.

In that moment, Lucas swiftly made his way to us, sensing the distress in her voice. His presence brought a glimmer of reassurance, as if his arrival alone could provide some comfort amidst the turmoil. Following closely behind him were a few nurses, their expressions reflecting a blend of empathy and readiness to assist.

Tears welled up in her eyes, cascading down her cheeks as she continued to implore, and her voice choked with emotion. "H-huwag kayong lalapit, please. No." Her words were a desperate plea, a plea for space and distance, as if she feared the consequences of any further proximity.

The room seemed to hold its breath; the weight of her anguish was palpable. It was a moment that demanded sensitivity and understanding, a moment where every gesture and word carried immense significance. As I stood there, witnessing her vulnerability, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy and a desire to provide solace in any way possible.

"Damn." Mahinang bulong ko nang makitang ganon si Lily. Para akong dinurog sa nangyayari sakanya. Did they hurt her? Or... r***d her? Hindi ko mapigilang magalit nang maisip ko iyon.

"I'm a doctor, Lily. Calm down." Sabi ni Lucas at dahan-dahan na lumapit kay Lily. Pero napatingin ito sa paligid at nahuli niya ang baso, binasag niya iyon at tinutok saamin.

"Lily, it's me, Reid." I gently said while walking slowly towards her.

Tumawa ito ng marahan at napayuko. "Don't hurt me, please. G-gusto ko nang umuwi." Her voice cracked. Kaagad itong napahawak sa tagiliran niya. At habang nasa sugat niya ang atrnsyon niya ay kaagad ko siyang nilapitan at niyakap.

"You're safe now, Lily. You're safe now." I gently said while caressing her back. Napahagulgol naman ito at ramdam kong bumaba ang kamay niyang may hawak na patalim.

"Gusto ko ng umuwi, Reid." Bulong niya saakin. "No, you need to heal first." Natahimik siya at ramdam kong bumigat ito. Napatingin ako kay Lucas ng may tinurok ito kay Lily.

"Pampatulog." Ngumiti ito, kaya sinamaan ko siya mg tingin. Tumawa lang naman ito.

"Baka gusto mo nang ilapag sa kama, Reid." Natatawang sabi nito. Napaismid ako pero gumalaw din para maayos kong mabuhat si Lily at mapahiga sa kama.

Kaagad niyang nilinisan ang sugat ni Lily. Napatingin naman kami sa pintuan ng pumasok si mommy, nag-aalala itong napatingin saakin at bumaling ang kanyang tingin kay Lily.

Napatakip naman siya ng bibig nang makita ang kalagayan nito. Lumapit siya at tumabi kay Lucas habang nililinis pa ang tahi ni Lily.

"Oh my god." Napasinghap si mommy ng makitang puno ng pasa at sugat ang katawan ni Lily.

Kaagad akong lumapit kay Lucas, at hinila siya palabas ng kwarto nang matapos itong linisin ang tahi ni Lily.

"Check her genital area, see if she has been touched." Sabi ko.

"Bakit ako? Kay Mira mo sabihin!" Kaagad ko siyang binatukan dahil sa pagiging oa nito.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit ka nag doctor e." Inis kong sabi sa kanya. Tumawa naman ito.

"Hoy! Mas matanda parin ako sayo ng anim na taon! Makabatok ka parang magka-edad lang tayo ah!" Muli ko siyang binatukan sa inis.

"I meant for the examiner to come and check her, idiot! Hindi ko sinabing ikaw mismo!" Napakamot naman ito sa batok dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Hindi mo naman sinabi ng maayos." Napapikit ako ng marahan sa naging sagot nito.

"Alam mo, nawawalan ka na ng common sense ano. Ano ba pinaggagawa ni Ayane sa'yo?" Napairap naman ito sa sinabi ko.

"Dali." Tipid kong sabi. Napaismid naman ito at kaagad ding umalis.

***

Mommy didn't leave Lily, she was there all the time. Kahit na alam niyang hindi buntis si Lily, she was still there.

"How can I leave? Look at her, she's too fragile." she said while her voice cracked. A small smile plastered on my face, after she said that.

Ilang oras bago nagising ulit si Lily, nagulat ito nang may kamay na nakahawak sa kanya. At pagtingin niya, nakita niyang hawak siya ni mommy na natutulog na nakayuko sa kama. Ayaw bitawan ni mommy si Lily.

I've never seen mommy like this to Luxury, kaya hindi ko alam kung may favoritism si mommy or wala. Or maybe iba lang talaga ang buhay na meron si Lily at naaawa si mommy.

"Gising ka na pala, iha." Napaupo si mommy ng maayos at nakatitig lang si Lily hanggang sa umiyak ulit ito, kaya napaupo si mommy sa kama para yakapin si Lily.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanila.

"Lily," lumingon ito saakin, malungkot at takot parin ang ekspresyon sa mukha.

"Did they touch you?" I asked as soon as I went to their side. Umiwas ng tingin si Lily, kaya naikuyom ko ang kamao ko. f**k.

"I need you to tell the truth, Lily. Did they—"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore, Reid." Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng boses nito.

"You should, Lily. We will make them pay." Umigtim ang panga ko sa galit dahil sa pagiging matigasin niya.

"Sino ka ba? Bakit mo pinapakialaman ang buhay ko?" Matapang nitong sabi, pero iniiwasan ang mga titig namin sa kanya.

"Anak," mommy interfere, may pag-aalala ang boses niya. Napatingin naman si Lily sa kanya gulat nang tawagin siyang anak.

"Reid was so worried about you, Lily." Marahang sabi ni mommy sa kanya.

"Why?" She asked, dumbfounded. Napatingin si mommy saakin at muling binalik ang tingin kay Lily.

"Dahil special ka sa kanya." Nagtataka lalo ang mukha ni Lily sa sinabi ni mommy.

"But I ruined his wedding. Kaya siya iniwan ng long-time girlfriend niya. So, paano ako naging special sa kanya?" Tanong ni Lily dahilan para mapatawa ng mahina si mommy.

"Trust me, he wouldn't involve himself into this kind of situation if he didn't treat you as his special someone, Lily." Mom said and before she could utter a word, mommy stood up and tapped her shoulder.

"Uuwi muna ako, bukas I'll bring you some foods, you should eat more, Lily. But for now, eto muna kainin niyo, hindi kasi ako nakahanda kaagad ng makakain as soon as I heard the news." Nakangiting sabi ni mommy. Tumingin siya saakin at tumango tsaka kami iniwan ni Lily.

"Are you okay now?" Umiwas siya ng tingin saakin.

"Bakit mo iyon ginawa?" she asked. Napaupo ako sa kama niya habang tinatanggal ang plastic na nakapatong sa lamesa.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"Why did you save me?" This time, nakatingin na ito sa mga mata ko.

"Hindi pa ba klaro ang sinabi ni mommy sa'yo?" Kalmadong sabi ko sa kanya habang nakatitig lang kanyang mga mata. Halos mahulog ako sa lalim ng kanyang tingin.

"Paano kita babayaran?" Tanong nito nang mag-iwas siya ng tingin ulit.

"No need to pay me—" she cut me once again.

"No, hindi basta-basta ang two million, Reid." She said that, which made me chuckle a bit.

"Kaya nga, hindi basta-basta ang two million, Lily. How can you pay me? Do you think you can pay me with your side hustles? It takes you your whole life to pay me, do you still want to pay me?" I calmly asked, galit naman itong napatingin saakin.

"Yes. I will still pay you kahit na tumamda na ako kakabayad ng utang. Or kapag mabenta ko lang ang lupa ko, ibibigay ko kaagad sa'yo ang kikitain ko don." Matapang niyang sabi kaya muling napatawa ako.

"Paano ba 'yan? I bought your land. Does it mean you just returned my money?" She was shocked by what I said and started looking around, seemingly for her cellphone. I caught her hand, causing her to stop and look at me, our eyes locking together.

"Just pay me with one thing, Lily," I said to her seriously. She swallowed hard, her confusion clearly written on her face. The tension in the air was palpable as she tried to comprehend my request, her eyes searching mine for answers. The seriousness of my tone seemed to weigh heavily on her, leaving her speechless and visibly uncertain.

I pulled her closer to me, closing the distance until there were only a few inches left between us, filling the gap that had kept us apart.

"Just stay with me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. As the words left my lips, I found myself swallowing hard. My gaze dropped, almost involuntarily, to her rosy and dry lips. The sight of them made my heart race and my throat tighten.