CHAPTER 35:THE SAFETY NET
596 Words
The heavy weight in the room gradually lifted as my breathing returned to normal, anchored by the steady warmth of Reuben’s embrace. I gently pulled back, wiping a stray tear from my cheek, feeling slightly embarrassed by my sudden loss of control.
Reuben looked down at me, his expression calm but filled with an undeniable resolve. He quietly reached into his pocket and pulled out his leather wallet. With calculated movements, he counted several crisp bills and held them out to me.
"Malia, kunin mo muna 'to," Reuben said softly, placing a neat stack of five thousand pesos in front of me. "Para sa pangkain niyo nina Tita habang nandito kayo sa ospital. Alam kong sagot ng Malasakit ang laboratories, pero kailangan niyo ng panggastos araw-araw para sa mga personal na pangangailangan niyo rito."
I stared at the money, and my survival instincts immediately clashed with my deep-seated pride. My hands instinctively clamped shut behind my back.
"Hindi, Reuben. Huwag," I shook my head quickly, my voice tight. "Malaking halaga 'yan. Allowance mo 'yan para sa buong buwan ng review mo, di ba? At tsaka, hindi mo naman kami obligasyon. Kaya naman namin nina Mama humanap ng paraan."
"Malia, nakikinig ka ba sa sarili mo?" Reuben let out a low, frustrated chuckle, but his eyes remained incredibly tender. He stepped closer, refusing to let me distance myself again. "Hindi ito utang. At hindi ko ito ibinibigay dahil sa tingin ko ay mahina ka."
"Pero Reuben—"
Before I could protest further, Reuben took my right hand, gently but firmly prying my clenched fingers open. He placed the five thousand pesos flat against my palm, then folded my fingers back over the bills, squeezing my hand tightly so I couldn't drop them.
"Ipilit mo na sa iba ang pride mo, Queen of Engineering, pero huwag sa akin," Reuben murmured, his tone leaving absolutely no room for argument. "Hindi ko hahayaang magutom kayo ng mama mo habang nagbabantay kay Tito Renato dahil lang sa katigasan ng ulo mo. Kunin mo 'to. Kung ayaw mong isipin na binigay ko, fine. Isipin mo na lang na investment ko 'to para hindi magkasakit ang paborito kong engineer."
I looked at my closed fist, feeling the texture of the paper bills against my skin. My throat felt thick with unexpressed gratitude. In my past life, every single centavo Mark spent on me was held over my head like a weapon. Money always came with conditions, threats, and hidden costs. But Reuben was handing me his own savings with absolutely no strings attached—only pure, unadulterated care.
"Salamat," I whispered, finally backing down, my voice barely audible over the sound of the heart monitor. "Babayaran ko 'to, Reuben. Pangako."
Reuben smiled, a genuine, relieved expression breaking across his handsome face as he gently tapped the top of my head. "Saka mo na problemahin ang repayment schedule, Malia. Sa ngayon, siguraduhin mo muna na kakain kayo ni Tita Eliza."
I opened my mouth to reply, but the ward door swung open with a sharp push.
"Ms. Roman?"
A nurse stepped in, out of breath, clutching a clipboard. "Doctor needs to see you. Now. About your father’s ECG."
The heart monitor beside Papa beeped faster.
The money in my hand suddenly felt heavy.
I looked at Reuben. He didn’t speak, but his eyes said it plainly: _We’ll face this. Together._
And my heart started racing — not because of him.
But because I wasn’t sure we could afford whatever came next.
- Writer
