Her Unheard Weeps

Pregnant

Chapter 16

Nang makarating sa condo, we both tucked ourselves in the bed and he was just silent the whole time. We laid flat whilst looking at the ceiling.

Tinitigan ko lang siya ng ilang minuto bago tumabi sa kaniya ng higa. I positioned my head on his chest. And Slowly caressed his stomach in a comforting way.

"Baby?" I heard him whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry"

"Ilang beses ko mo na 'yang sinabi. At uulitin ko, wala na 'yon sa'kin. What's important right now is that you have to rest. I know you're exhausted"

Natahimik ulit siya ng ilang minuto. Tinawag niya ako ulit. I hummed as response.

"I tried my best...i really did" he said almost a whisper.

Tinaas ko ang tingin ko at bahagya siyang nginitian. Bahagya ko ring hinawakan ang kaniyang panga.

"Sure you did"

"I'm her doctor...nakokonsensya ako"

"Oliver..hindi mo kailangang makonsensya. You did your best. I have seen myself how badly you wanted to save that sweet child. It's just that...hindi mo hawak ang buhay ng bata."

Hindi siya nagsalita kaya bumuntong hininga ako.

I felt bad for him. Dinidibdib niya talaga.

"Is this your first time na namatayan?"

"No"

"Maybe it's a good thing...na gano'n ang nangyari. At least she doesn't have to suffer any longer"

"Don't fret, your child is in safe hands, the operation will be successful, i will make sure that she will get out of the O.R and begin again with a normal life." He uttered randomly.

"Huh?"

"I made a promise ash"

Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Mukhang alam na ang ibig niyang sabihin. "You what?!"

He just continued to look at the ceiling.

"Nagbitiw ka ng salita sa mga magulang?" Hindi makapaniwala kong saad.

"I'm a jerk. Alam kong hindi dapat"

Hindi pa din ako makapaniwala.

Being a doctor...surgeon comes with ample amount of rules. And that includes to not promise the patient's relative for a successful operation. That will give them hope. And when everything turns out the way you at least expect, it will backfire on you.

"Sinisisi ka ba nila?"

Hindi siya tumugon. I already know the answer to that.

"I blame myself more. You know? Before we sedated her for operation, she held mine with her tiny little hands. And she said, mister...kuya? Doctors are heroes without capes...you're my hero" aniya, muntikan pa siyang pumiyok. "She said i was her f*****g hero ash..."

I know i still have an important exam to deal with later in the morning. But that moment, hindi ko na sinaisip iyon, what truly important is just right beside me.

He needs me.

"Magagalit ka ba sa'kin kung hihilingin 'kong na 'wag ka munang pumasok sa trabaho? Kahit ilang araw lang?"

"Ash i'm fine"

"Kailangan mong magpahinga. You had a rough weeks. You deserve the rest. Please? Do it for me."

He didn't said anything, didn't assured me, his head is still in the clouds. Magulo pa ang utak niya ngayon, kaya hinayaan ko na lang muna. I just closed my eyes in a stressed manner. Next thing i knew, nakatulog na ako. Habang nakayakap sa kaniya.

Ilang oras pa lang ata simula ng makaidlip ako ay kaagad naman akong nagising dahil sa alarm ng phone ko.

I heard a groan beside me. It was a sigh knowing na nakatulog din ang nobyo. He still is.

I turned off the alarm in a haste at kinusot ang mahapding mata. I was still sleepy, But nevertheless, i have to force my body to get up.

Oliver's POV

I groaned a little hearing the loud sound of the alarm. I slightly stirred and half opened my eyes only to see astrid sitting on her side of the bed, facing her back on me.

She got up at pumunta sa paanan ng kama. I lazily watched her as she sat on the study table a few meters away from the bed and placed her textbooks and laptop.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

Napatingin ako sa night stand.

The clock says 4 a.m

Isn't this too early? I wanted to ask her pero walang lumabas na boses sa aking bibig. I was too exhausted. Kaya ilang segundo pa ay nakaidlip na naman ako. Whilst feeling a heavy heart for my girlfriend.

"Oli?" I heard an angelic voice trying to wake me up, slightly tapping my cheek. "Baby?"

I hummed. I felt my eyes sting every time i would move them kaya hindi ko na muna iminulat ang mga mata.

"Mmm"

"I have to go. I still have mid terms." She whispered.

"I'll drive you" i hoarsely whispered.

Even though my eyes were closed, i can sense she shook her head.

"No. Magpahinga ka na lang dito. Magji jeep na lang ako. Gusto ko lang magpaalam. Babalik ulit ako mamaya, okay?" I felt her plump lips met the skin on my cheek.

I just hummed again as a reply. Still felt tired and sleepy.

"Okay. I love you" at ilang segundo pa ay nakarinig na ako ng pagbukas at pagsara ng pinto.

Ash's POV

"Hays! Natapos din sa wakas!" Malakas na buntong hininga ni tori.

"Hindi pa. First day pa nga lang ngayon. Meron pa bukas"

Nissy said earning a groan from tori.

"Alam ko. Pero hindi mo naman kailangang ipaalala" she rolled her eyes. "Kailangang nating mag celebrate"

"Celebrate?"

"Because, my dear friend, we managed to survive the first day of hell week. Ano? Tara! Inom!"

"I don't think that's a good idea"

Umirap na naman si tori. While whispered. "Party pooper"

Bago pa sila makabaling sa akin ay kinuha ko na ang bag ko sabay tayo. "Pass ako"

"Another party pooper"

"Kailangan ako ni oliver ngayon. Tsaka kailangan ko pang umuwi"

Naglakad na ako palabas ng room.

"He's not your obligation you know!" Rinig ko pang tawag ni tori.

Liningon ko siya. "He's my boyfriend" i simply stated at nagmamadaling umalis na doon.

"Mommy. Magpapaalam sana ako" i said back fingers crossed.

"At saan ka naman pupunta astrid?" Taas kilay niya.

"I'm going to nissy's house. I'll stay there for three night kung pwede? We're working on our thesis"

Hindi ako makatingin sa kaniya. My gaze was on the floor the whole time.

Hindi siya nagsalita ng ilang minuto pero napabuga ako ng hininga ng umoo siya. I nearly shrieked mabuti na lang ay napigilan ko. I hugged her bago tumakbo papuntang kwarto. Magri-ready ng damit.

"Babe?" Katok ko sa pintuan. I forgot that i didn't have a key. Ilang minuto na akong kumakatok dito pero wala pa ring sumasagot.

"Oliver? Si astrid 'to. Pakibukas ng pinto please?"ani ko sa malumanay na boses.

Wala pa ring bumubukas.

Baka natutulog? Isip ko. Kaya nilabas ko ang phone at tinawagan siya na sana kanina ko pa ginawa.

Habang nasa tenga ang phone ay dinikit ko ang kabilang tenga sa pintuan to hear if he's phone is in there ringing.

Kumunot ang noo ko ng matantong wala akong naririnig na ring.

I grunted when the call ended.

Isang tawag pa ay mabuti na lang ay sinagot niya.

"Nasaan ka?"

"I-i'm...somewhere"

The slight nervousness on his voice made me raise a brow.

"Where exactly is that somewhere oliver?"

I heard him mutter a small curse, and at that same time, i heard a paging call in the background.

Napaawang ako ng labi.

"Seryoso ka ba?! Diba sinabi kong magpahinga ka?!" Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagtaas ng boses.

Pinikit ng mariin ang mga mata. "Nandito ako sa labas ng condo mo"

I heard him cuss once again. "Baby...i'm sorry. Nakalimutan kong sinabi mong babalik ka pala. You—you can just hand the phone to the guards downstairs, i'll speak to them to hand you the spare keys of the roo—"

"Hindi ka talaga makikinig sa akin ano?" I cut him.

I heard the exhaustion in his deep sigh.

"I'm sorry ash but i have work piling up"

"Which you can get back to once you finish your three day off! Kahit tatlong araw lang sana oliver! Pero hindi e! Hindi ka pa nga tuluyang mabuti!"

"I'm okay now" he said. "And...i still have to face izzie's parents."

"Oliver"

"Ash, i'm sorry. Mag-usap na lang tayo mamaya. I promise, i'll be home early than usual"

"Okay...fine!"

"Thank yo—"

"I'm staying at nissy's" i spat.

"Wha—"

Binaba ko na ang tawag. Kung hindi siya uuwi! Edi wag niya! Basta ako...hindi din ako uuwi...dahil baka magtaka ang ina dahil nakapagpaalam na ako.

Now where am i supposed to stay?

"Nissy...sorry talaga sa abala"

"For the hundredth time ash, okay nga lang!" She laughed.

"Talaga?"

"Oo nga! Mabuti nga na nandito ka ngayon dahil may kasama ako dito sa bahay."

Hindi ko na tinanong kung nasaan ang mga magulang niya dahil alam ko na ang isasagot niya.

"This will be fun! A girl's sleepover!" She excitedly clapped her hands.

I sighed. "Mabuti na lang talaga hindi alam ni oliver kung nasaan ang bahay mo"

She just looked at me smiled slightly.

"Sana nandito din si tori. Kung tawagan kaya natin?" She changed the subject.

At tinawagan nga niya.

"Funny. Hindi niya sinasagot" taka niya pagkatapos mag end ang call.

"Baka busy?" Wala sa sarili kong sabi. Nakahiga lang ako sa kama niya, nakatingin sa kisame habang siya ay nakaupo sa tabi ko.

"Baka nga" she just shrugged it off.

When dinner time came, napatingin ako sa katabi ng tapikin niya ako.

"Tinatawagan ako ng boyfriend mo" aniya sabay pakita sa'kin ng screen ng phone niya.

Napatigil ako sa pagsubo.

"Should i answer it?"

"Oo. Sabihin mo lang wala ako dito"

"Okay" at sinagot niya na nga.

My eyes were just darted at her the whole time. Tumigil na din ako sa pagkain.

Kung tutuusin, hindi naman talaga ako galit sa kaniya, nagtatampo oo. Maybe because i'm just disappointed and sad na kahit para sa kaniya ang sinasabi ko, hindi pa rin siya nakikinig sa akin. I was just slightly hurt.

"Hello?" Ani ni nissy. Nakatingin siya sa akin na tila nakalimutan ang sasabihin.

Tinawanan ko lang siya.

Her chinky eyes widen ng pinanlakihan niya ko ng mata which made me laugh more.

"Put it on speaker" i mouthed.

Tumango siya.

"Hello oli?"

"Hi venice—nissy, good evening. I was wondering if—"

"Wala siya dito e" Agad na sabi niya kahit wala pa namang sinabi si oliver.

Napatampal ako sa noo.

"I haven't said anything yet"

"Oh" she said innocently. "Pero wala talaga siya dito...Promise"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. A hundred percent" she glanced at me. I gestured for her to continue. "Have you tried calling tori?"

"Yes, i did. And she told me to call you"

"Oh okay. How about her mom?" She asked nonchalantly na kinalaki ng mga mata ko.

"Nissy!" I hissed in a whispery manner. "Don't give him ideas!"

"No! I m-mean..."

"Sadly, i don't have her mother's number. And she's not answering my calls."

Napabuntong hininga naman ako. I left my phone turned off upstairs in nissy's room.

"Siguro nakauwi na din 'yon. 'Wag kang mag-alala. Tatawagan ko siya pagkatapos nito. Tsaka ko na lang ipaalam sa'yo"

"Okay. Thank you very much nissy"

"No problem"

I gestured for her na ibaba na ang phone, which she was about yo do when oliver spoke again.

"And baby?"

"Hmm?"

Wait!—DID I JUST f*****g ANSWERED!? WHAT THE ADTUAL HELL!?

I heard a loud chuckle from the other line. Wala na. Nabisto na ako!

Nissy looked at me amazed while stifling a laugh. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.

"That was actually me. Sorry. Nasanay kasi ako na tinatawag ako ng daddy k—"

Before nissy could even finish her explanation, pinatay ko na ang tawag.

Kaagad kong sinapo ang noo while nissy burst out laughing.

"Ikaw kasi e. Marupok ka din sa baby" she laughed.

I groaned loudly. Napaayos ako ng upo ng tumunog ulit ang phone niya na nasa kamay ko pa. But this time, it was only a text. Tiningnan ko ang screen nito.

: Take care of yourself while you're there baby. I love you...

"Awwww!!" Ani nissy pagkatapos niya itong basahin.

I just tsked.

Three nights were just fast for me. It was time to go home. Dahil kung hindi, i know it'll be a trouble with my mother.

When i entered the house. Umaga iyon, so i expected a peaceful house, walang ingay dahil walang tao dapat dahil pareho sila ni mommy at ate na may trabaho.

But instead, i heard yelling, which is something unexpected.

It was a voice so unrecognizable. First my mother's, followed by my sister's.

Nag-aaway sila? Ang unusual nga dahil minsan lang din sila mag-away. Mas madalas pa nga akong pagalitan kesa kay ate diba? So bakit sila nagsisigawan?

Kaagad akong tumakbo papunta sa sala at iniwan lang doon ang bag sa may pintuan sa sobrang pagkakataranta.

"KAILAN PA 'TO HA DIANNE!! KELAN KA PA NATUTONG MAGSINUNGALING SA AKIN!? MAGTAGO NG SIKRETO!?"

The loud scream stopped me in place.

"Mommy, i'm sorry" rinig kong hagulgol ng kapatid. It was the most painful sob i've ever heard from her.

The fight was that severe?

"Hindi kita pinalaking ganito dianne! Bakit mo 'to ginawa!! Saan ba ako nagkulang?!" Piyok ng mommy.

All i hear from my sister are sobs.

"Paano na 'to? May sakit ka! Hindi mo man lang ba iyon naisip!?"

"Mommy..."

"Kakagraduate mo lang! Hindi ka pa nakatagal doon sa trabaho mo! At si astrid!—ang kapatid mo? Paano na ang pag-aaral niya?"

"Gagawan ko ng paraan my—gagawan ko ng paraan. Pangako—"

"PAANO! paano mo gagawan ng paraan! Hindi mo kakayanin! Hindi ako papayag!"

"Basta gagawan ko ng paraan my. Kaya naman naming buhayin ni tom ang bata e. May kaya siya, tsaka...ang pag-aaral ni ash, pwede ko pa naman iyong pagtrabahuan—"

Napasinghap ako. Bata? Buntis si ate!? Kelan lang? Kelan pa!

At naalala ko ang mga pagsususka niya tuwing umaga, ang pagkahilo, ang pamumutla, tsaka ang mabilis niyang heartbeat.

Oh God! bakit ko ba iyon pinagsawalang bahala lang!? Bakit napakawalang kwenta kong kapatid?!

Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagsakit ng dibdib. This turned out least i expected it to be.