KEEPING UP WITH HER CHEERFULNESS

CHAPTER 17: " ITATAKAS"

"Ate Zhy... you shouldn’t have read those things," I said as I approached her with a worried look on my face.

Hindi siya sumagot..

So I thought of taking the cellphone she was holding... and placed it on the table.

"Ate Zhy...." I said.

I immediately hugged her and gently patted her back.

"Ate Zhy.. I'm here.. kuya and I are always here for you.." I said, hoping to ease the heaviness in her heart, even just a little..

"Why is it always like this?.."

She said, still crying.

"This is just a season you're going through, Ate Zhy... and I know you'll make it through in time..

You have so much strength in you - I've always known that..

I know life is hard..

Sometimes.. heartache and pain are necessary parts of life.. because they shape us into tougher, wiser people..

In this life? Challenges will always find their way to us.. They touch every single one of us.. Each of us walks our own difficult path.. And there's no use in questioning why things turn out the way they do..

But Ate Zhy.. please trust me on this..

Everything that's unfolding right now is leading to something greater.. And that something?.. It will be more than worth all you're carrying today.."

She looked at me and hugged me again..

"I know how much pain you're feeling right now, Ate Zhy..

Just let it all out, cry as much as you need to.. I'm right here..

I won't leave you.. Kuya and I..

We won't let anything happen to you, and we'll protect you.. We'll fight through this together.. Just hold on to faith, Ate Zhy.."

As I calmed her down..

I could feel her sobs gradually softening with every word I said..

"I don't know what I would have done without you both.. I think I really would have lost my mind.. But..

I'm so incredibly lucky!.. Because I found people like you two..

I guess you're the answer to all my prayers back then, Clara..

Thank you so much.." Ate Zhy said, habang magkayakap parin kami..

IN EVERY STORY..

TRIALS ARE ALWAYS PRESENT – THEY CAN NEVER BE AVOIDED..

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TALE, EVIL MAY SEEM TO TAKE OVER..

BUT IN THE END?..

WE WILL SURELY OVERCOME IT..

EVIL WILL NEVER TRIUMPH!..

WE JUST NEED TO HAVE FAITH..

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MORNING ~ ~ ~

Zhycarich Reil POV.

Pag gising ko, napatingin ako kay Clara na ngayun ay natutulog parin sa tabi ko..

HE STAYED BY MY SIDE LAST NIGHT AFTER ALL..

JUST TO MAKE SURE I COULD FALL ASLEEP..

"Thank you...." Bulong ko ritu..

I glanced at the window..

then went over to pull the curtain up..

Nang nagawa Kona Yun.. tumanaw ako saglit..

"With every new dawn.. comes a new test of strength.." I whispered, and took a deep breath..

CLARA IS RIGHT..

EACH OF US WALKS OUR OWN DIFFICULT PATH.

"I need to stay strong..

For Mom and for the company she worked so hard for – VELOX..

And.. for Papa too.."

FIRST AND FOREMOST..

I HAVE TO GET TO PAPA – NOT A SINGLE WORD FROM ANYONE WILL SHAKE MY RESOLVE..

WHAT MATTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING NOW?..

PULLING PAPA OUT OF REACH.. FAR, FAR AWAY FROM THAT WOMAN!..

° ° ° ° °

"ate Zhy?.. you're awake.."

Napalingon Ako agad sa likud ko ng tawagin Ako ni Clara..

"Are you okay now?.."

I DON'T KNOW..

"I am.." I answered, which made her smile..

BUT TO BE HONEST?...

HINDI PA TALAGA..

IT'S STILL HURT..

PERO.. WHAT I SAID KANINA?..

I NEED TO BE STRONG!..

IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!..

~ ~ ~ FORWARD

"You want to visit your papa?..

Sure!.. No problem with that..

My only question is..

Are you really okay now??.." - Clayden

Tumango-tango Naman si Zhycarich bilang sagut..

"I'll endure everything.." Sagut Naman ni Zhycarich na ikina seryuso ng ekspresyon ni Clayden..

"If you can't do it.. don't force yourself.." - Clayden

Agad na napatingin si Zhycarich dahil sa sinabi ni Clayden..

"I can do this..

I can do it, Clayd..

I don't care what people will say! What matters is.. I get to see Papa.. Kukunin ko Siya.."

Sagut ni Zhycarich..

"But Ate Zhy..

What if those gathered people see you?

What then?.. What if..

they throw things at you?..

or maybe.. curse you?..

then they won't let you in..

then..."

"Enough Clara.." - Clayden

"If you really want to see your Papa that badly...

Alright.. we're going right now.." - Clayden

Dag dag pa nito at naunang pumunta sa Kwarto Niya, para mag bihis..

F. O. R. W. A. R. D ~ ~

Zhycarich Reil POV.

We're here..

Sa hospital kung saan nag papagamut si papa ngayun..

KASAMA SI BIANCA..

"Wait.." I was about to get out of the car, but he suddenly stopped me..

"A..ano?.." Tanong ko sa kanya..

"You need to wear this.." He said, at inabot sakin Ang sunglasses..

"To keep people from recognizing you.."

I stared at him for a moment, then eventually left as well..

"Thank you, Clayd.." Saad ko pa bagu bumaba..

"Wait.." - Clayden.

Nilingon ko Siya ulit.. at nagulat nalang Ako ng sumunod rin pala ito sakin..

"B.. bakit ka sumama?.. a.. I thought.. hihintayin mo lang Ako sa labas.." Naguguluhan ko itong tiningnan..

"I'm coming with you..

We'll face every single one of your battles together!.."

I feel like.. the heavy burden I was carrying earlier has lightened a bit..

and I've finally come to realize..

THEY ARE THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS BACK THEN..

"Shh..

don't cry.. we're here to visit your Papa..

save those tears for later.."

Anito at tumawa ng mahina..

NAKAKAINIS!

~ ~ ~ ~

"Sure Ako... nasa loob si papa..

nasa labas Ang mga tauhan Niya.."

"How will we get inside?..

If there are guards keeping watch outside.."

"Mag iisip Ako ng paraan.." Sagut ko Ritu na ikina tangu Niya..

Mabilisan kaming napatago dalawa, ng Makita namin si Bianca..

Papalabas ito, at Ang mas good news!.

sumunod Yung mga tauhan ni papa SA kanya..

"This is it!.. hurry!.." Saad ko Kay Clayden at nagmadaling pumunta sa tapat ng pinto..

"Should we open it now?.. What if there are still guard's inside?.." - Clayden

Napahinto muna Ako sa sinabi nito..

WHAT IF, HE'S RIGHT?..

I looked around first.. and thankfully, no one was watching us..

idinikit ko Ang tenga ko sa pinto para malaman kong may tao pa ba sa loob..

"I think Wala na.." I said..

"Let me open and check it first.."

Tumango nalang Ako bilang sagut..

He went in first.. I stayed behind for a bit..

I felt so nervous..

as I slowly opened the door..

As I took each step..

I could feel my hands trembling..

Unti unti konang nakikita Ang paa ni papa..

I couldn't help but close my eyes..

.....

"P...papa.."

I couldn't hold back my tears any longer..

I couldn't bring myself to look at him..

I'm so scared..

All the anger I felt towards Papa just disappeared in an instant..

"Papa... " Pinilit kong ihakbang Ang mga paa ko Ritu..

"ah..ahniya...k..."

Mas Napahagulhul Ako ng sambitin Niya Ang mga salitang Yun...

kahit na nahihirapan siyang mag salita..

NAIINTINDIHAN KO PARIN..

TINAWAG NIYA AKONG ANAK...

Huli kong natandadaan.. tinatawag Niya lang akong anak noon, back when I'm 6..

"papa...ahh.."

I broke down crying..

Walang pag dadalawang isip.. nilapitan ko Siya at niyakap ng mahigpit..

"Papa... I'm sorry... I'm sorry kung hinayaan kita Kay Bianca.. Sorry kong iniwan kita.." Saad ko Ritu habang Humahagulhul parin..

Pinilit Niyang igalaw Ang Isa niyang kamay para hawakan Ang Mukha ko..

I was surprised when I saw tears streaming down his face too.

"ahniya.. B...ban...ka... m..masha...m"

Pinilit kong intindihin Yung mga sinabi Niya..

pero Hindi ko maintindihin talaga..

"We don't have much time..

We need to get him out of here now..

Bianca might be coming back any minute.."

Clayden said, agad Naman na akong tumango sa sinabi nito..

"Papa.. aalis tayu ditu..

This is my friend Clayden.. Siya Ang gagamut sayu.. He's a doctor.. "

Paliwanag ko Ritu.. nakikita ko sa mga mata Niya.. bawat pag patak ng mga luha Niya..

nababasa ko na agad..

HE WANTS TO GET OUT OF HERE TOO!..

"Ahnnmm..nyem...m.."

"I know papa... wag Kanang mag alala ngayun.. dahil Kasama muna Ako.. Hindi na kita iiwan pa.."

I said, and wiped away his tears..

"Let's go..." - Clayden

Sabay naming binuhat ng dahan dahan si papa.. at Pina upo sa wheelchair...

"I'll take care of him..

The jacket and face mask are in the bag..

Get them first so we can have him wear them.. A lot of people outside will recognize him.."

Saad ni Clayden.. agad ko namang kinuha Ang bag at hinanap Ang jacket at face mask na tinutukoy nito..

At nakuha korin SA wakas..

"here is it.." I said..

Agad na naming pinasuot ito ka papa..

at natapos rin Naman agad..

"Let's go...." - Clayden..

Nauna akong lumabas at sunod ay si Clayden..

tulak tulak Ang naka wheelchair na si papa..