A Kiss from the Beast

1:

Chapter 1:

KATALINA'S

"It was a miracle that he doesn't have any critical condition. He have wounds on his chest and ribs, fortunately hindi siya nabalian ng buto. His blood vital is also normal," Doctor's said.

After making sure that my brother is all fine, I hurried off to the Doctor's office para malaman kung nasaan o anong nangyari sa lalaking binanggit ni Jericho kanina. Gusto kong malaman kung okay lang ba ito, at sana ay oo para hindi naman masyadong ma-guilty ang kapatid ko. Alam kong natatakot siya para sa lalaking nasagasaan niya.

I also talked to the police, they are now investigating who's the responsible for the accident, and trying to check the background of the victim, unfortunately even me has no idea about that guy.

I didn't have any chance to saw him because they are still cleaning him up from operation room when I tried to approach them, that's why I decided to talk to the doctor here instead.

"Ang sabi po ng kapatid ko ay tumama ito sa windshield ng kotse niya, tumilapon to be exact, buti wala po siyang matinding tama," I manage to say recalling what my brother told me about what exactly happened.

"That's what I've heard too, that's why they hurried him in the operation room, because he looks very critical, but that's not what I saw when I look into it. It's just a wound, not so deep."

The doctor seems old enough to be look so veteran, he seems right, and he sounds so sure.

Its weird but I'm glad that he's fine, my brother don't have to worry anymore.

"Thank you Doc, at least me and my brother don't have to worry, killing someone is not something he would do."

The doctor's about to say something nang bigla na lang pumasok ang isang babaeng nurse sa opisina, mukhang nag-aalala.

"Doc, gising na po ang pasiyente sa room 28, at wala raw po siyang maalala na kahit ano, kahit na tungkol sa sarili niya."

The doctor seems calm but looks worried. He nod and looked at me.

"Iyon ang lalaking hinahanap mo, 'yong nasagasaan ng kapatid mo."

We stood up and immediately went to the said room. Nang narating namin ang silid ay naabutan namin ang lalaking tahimik lang sa kaniyang kama, he's trying to avoid the two nurses trying to talk to him.

Humakbang palapit ang doctor, habang ako ay nanatili lang sa may pinto at tahimik na nakatingin sa kaniya.

He's tanned and pale, long golden hair over his shoulder. He has bandage all over his body but I don't see bruises on his face and head.

"Bumalik na ba ang mga police para sa kaniya?" Doctor asked.

The nurse in a ponytail answered immediately. "Yes Doc, but they can't find his identity, he doesn't have any wallet or IDs to identify him."

I saw the doctor's sighed and looked at me. "I'm sorry Ms. Katalina Spear, I think you should go."

I nodded and stepped out. Nag-decide akong bumalik na lang sa kuwarto ng kapatid ko, and tell him everything I learned from that guy.

"You're lucky that you have your guardian," I said sympathetically.

"And I'm lucky that I don't have an amnesia," he said shrugging.

I shrugged. "He don't have any critical condition and even wounds on his head, is that possible for him to have an amnesia?"

"Maybe, because it's already happening."

I simply nod. "You're right, at least we don't have a huge bills. I'll pay his bills, by the way."

Sinubukan niyang umupo but he's too weak, so I had to help him, when he's already comfortable, I sat down beside him.

"I'm sorry, Ate. Binigyan na naman kita ng intindihin. Bukod sa nasagasaan kong lalaki, siguradong pinoproblema mo rin ngayon na nagmaneho ako ng walang lisensya. Hindi bale, kapag malakas na po ulit ako at kaya ko na ay maghahanap ako ng part time job para mabayaran ko lahat ng gastos mo ngayon."

I smiled and held his hand. "Thanks, but no thanks. Just promise me that from now on you'll behave, I don't want you to be in trouble anymore. Please study harder and I'll do the work for the both of us, okay?"

He fake a laugh. "That's why you still don't have a boyfriend, you're too busy working and taking care of me," he said seriously.

I maked face. "I'm better off without anyone, but just with you."

Actually I've tried dating and entertain my suitor, but I failed. I always ends up of getting tired. I don't see any spark. Maybe because I'm not just finding a partner, but also the feels, the feeling to be fallen in love.

***

I decided to go home just to get some clothes that Jericho can use since his clothes are full of blood from the accident. I'd make sure that there's a nurse around him to help him whenever he need. Ang sabi ng doctor ay puwede ko na siyang iuwi bukas, his wounds can recover at home, dahil hindi naman iyon malala.

I knocked three times at his door's room, saka ko ito binuksan at pumasok sa loob, ngunit na-stuck ang paningin ko sa kaniyang kama nang makita kong wala siya roon. Its getting late, he should've been laying in bed right now, and get some rest.

"Echo?" I tried to call him, assuming that he's in the bathroom, but no one's answering, so I opened it to saw that he's not here.

I immediately look at the door when I heard the doors opening, and saw Nurse Kayla, the nurse that I left with Jericho.

"Excuse me, Nurse Kayla, nasaan po iyong pasyente rito?"

She looked at me half smiling. "I'm sorry, Miss Katalina, pero gusto niya raw po kasi talagang makita ang nasa room 28, he said that he was the one responsible for the accident, so he want to apologise himself," she said quickly. "But don't worry po, siniguro ko pong makararating siya roon ng maayos, sinamahan ko po siya. Iniwan ko lang po sila dahil kailangan daw po nila ng privacy."

I just nod and thanked her, then I left and went to room 28 to see Jericho, and I found him talking to Him. Jericho is sitting at his wheelchair beside of His bed, while the guy is now sitting looks comfortable on his bed.

I barely opened the door, dahan-dahan lang kaya hindi nila napansin ang presensya ko.

"I'm sorry man, it's my fault," Jericho's voice sounds in dismay. Even I can only see Jericho's back, I knew the man could see the guilt from my brother's face because of the way he looked and shook my brother's shoulder.

"'Wag mo nang sisihin ang sarili mo, sapat nang nandito ka para aminin at harapin ang nagawa mong kasalanan. Alam kong hindi mo sinasadya," he assured him.

"Salamat, malaking bagay po para sa akin ang pagpapatawad mo. Pero ano nang plano mo ngayon?"

The man shook his head. "I'm just now relying on the people who said that will help me find out who's my family. Kahit anong gawin kong isip o halukat sa utak ko, wala talaga akong maalala o mahalungkat na kahit ano," he said and looked at my way, which makes me realized that he knew I'm listening. "Why don't you ask her? Maybe she has an idea what am I supposed to do next?"

"What? Who?"

Jericho was confused at what the man had said and looked at the doorway where I'm standing. Even though I was shocked, I slowly opened the door and entered, force myself to smile.

"How long have you been there listening to us?"

Sumulyap muna ako sa lalaking nasa kama saka ibinaling kay Jericho ang tingin ko na siyang ngayon ay nagdududang nakatingin na sa akin, naghihintay ng sagot ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong itatawag ko sa ksniya, of course.

"I didn't intend to listen, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay and fine, kaya sumunod ako. Isa pa, siyempre nag-alala ako na wala ka sa kung saan kita iniwan. Maybe I'm just paranoid, I almost lost you, Echo."

Nakita ko ang pagkurap niya na sinundan ng isang matamis na ngiti. "You don't have to worry, I just want to check him," he said and looked at him na ngayon ay pilit kaming iniignora, siguro ay ayaw makialam sa aming magkapatid.

Para namang natauhan si Jericho nang ma-realised niyang sinusubukan kaming hindi pansinin ng lalaki at makinig sa amin.

"She's my sister, Katalina."

Tumango siya saka ngumiti ng walang lamang nang tingnan niya ako. "Sorry, hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipapakilala ang sarili ko, hindi ko maalala kung anong-"

"Its okay," I didn't let him finish. I know how hard it is for him. "Maybe the police can help." I'm trying to light him up.

Tumango lang siya pero mukha lang naman siyang napipilitan na tanggapin ang pagchi-cheer up ko sa kaniya.

"Salamat sa pagpunta at pagsiguro sa kalagayahan ko, pero okay na ako, puwede ninyo na akong iwan ng kapatid mo," direkta niya kay Jericho.

I stared at Him for a moment, bago ko na inaya si Jericho na bumalik na sa kuwarto niya. Even though he didn't show, I knew that he was sad and confused. Alam kong umaakto lang siyang okay lang siya kahit hindi, at ang pagpapanggap na ayos ka lang kahit hindi ay ang mas nagpapahirap sa bawat emosyon ng mga tao.

Sana lang ay mahanap nila ang pamilya niya at kung sino talaga siya, because I know that his lost memories making him feel empty inside.