Arch of the Centuries

16

VINCE’S POV

I stood outside for a few moments after exiting the room. I regained my composure, I’m relieved that I’m able saving someone's life and kept her safe.

Flaskbacks was the first thing that came to mind when I saw her laying on that ground, unconscious, bleeding, cold as ice.

I remember the same situation when I saw my Kuya, lifeless.

For a brief a second, I was unsure what to do; I considered taking her to the UST hospital because it is nearby, but I decided that bringing her here to my auntie's hospital would provide her with greater health care owing to my ties.

The sound of her calling my name was still ringing in my ears. I'm still standing outside her door, taking deep breaths in and out.

“Should I stay or not?” I’m hesitant.

What if she gets uncomfy? What if she thinks I’m weird? What if she wants to spend the night alone?

There are far too many what-if scenarios to consider.

Still, I opened the door and stepped inside. And As soon as she saw me, she smiled. With that very moment I realized, I was smiling too.

“Can I stay here? just for today.” i softly asked.

She simply smiled and nodded.

I sit on the sofa facing her direction. It’s kinda awkward and I don’t know what to say or to ask since it’s the first time I’ve spoken to her.

Patuloy ang pag nagnanakaw tingin naming dalawa sa isa’t isa. Sulyap dito, sulyap roon, at sa oras naman na magtama ang aming tingin ay agad ang pagiwas at paglayo.

No one’s starting a conversation until…

“Vince.” “Mika.”

We both uttered each other’s name at the same time.

“You, first,” I said.

“Hindi, Ikaw na mauna.”

“Ladies, first.” I insisted.

We laughed. Nagkahiyaan pa.

“Uhm, gusto ko lang mag pa salamat formally for saving my life. Utang ko sayo buhay ko.” pagpapasalamat nito.

“Pede mo bang ikwento sakin kung anong nangyari kanina matapos kong mawalan ng malay?”

“Sure.” I said.

I began the story driving my black hatchback car, which I received from my father on my seventeenth birthday. While I was passing through the carpark, a heavy rainfall occurred, causing the surroundings to darken and vision to be diminished. I open my headlights to better see things and check if there are any person on the roadway. I saw you, Mika. In the middle of the road, standing there like you were frozen, you barely even move. I waited for minutes to pass, but you’re still motionless. So I decided to bumaba na lang ng car to check you, unfortunately you’re unconscious na, bleeding and cold. I rushed you her at my aunties hospital since I believe they can provide you greater help care. Good thing you’re safe now.

I stated every single details about what happened earlier. As I was observing her, I can tell na she’s trying to remember everything that happened.

“Nga pala, anong sasabihin mo dapat kanina?” pagtatanong niya.

“What happened to you?” I curiously asked.

That’s what I was thinking the moment I saw her unconscious.

It takes her time to answer. Maybe it’s hard for her to answer.

“You don’t need to answer if it’s too per-”

Hindi na niya ako pinatapos pa dahil nagsimula na siyang magkwento.

“Naalala ko kasi yung aksidenteng nangyari sakin walang taon na ang nakalipas.” maiyak-iyak niyang sabi.

“Accident?” I asked, seriously.

Tumango lamang ito. Her pain is evident on her smile.

she continue her story, “Birthday yon ni Mama, February 12 2013. Masaya kaming lahat na nagcecelebrate noong gabing ‘yon. Sariwa pa sa aking alaala ang lahat ng nangyari bago ang aksidente. Simula sa pagka ubos ng alak nila papa hanggang sa pagbili namin sa store makatawid ng highway, sapagkat wala ng bukas na malapit na tindahan noong mga oras na ‘yon.”

Her voice were trembling so bad that you’ll feel sorry just by listening to it.

“Pagkatapos naming bumili ng alak ay agad kaming tumawid ng kalsada at-” she stopped talking.

Tears begin to fall on her eyes, “At bumungad samin ang isang rumaragasang sasakyan, itim, katulad ng gamit mo. Halos walang pinagkaiba. Kaya’t muling tumakbo sa aking isipan ang lahat ng mga ala alang iyon.”

“You mean my black hatchback car? It was gifted to me when I was seventeen by my dad.” I said, I heard this car was really popular and a good catch back then.

“Oo, ganoon rin ang kotse nina tito, sikat raw kasi yon noon.” sagot nito sakin while drying her tears.

“Nang mga sandaling yon, para bang bumagal ang takbo ng oras. Iyon din ang huling beses kong nakita ang ngiti ni mama. Habang papalapit ng papalit samin ang rumaragasang sasakyan ay niyakap ako ni mama at tumalikod ito para iharang ang kaniyang sarili upang protektahan ako. Ang tanging nasa isip ko na lang ng mga oras na yon ay, atleast magkasama kaming mawawala ni mama. Pero hindi, I survived.”

“Mas masakit pala yon, yung ikaw yung naiwan, ikaw yung nakaligtas. Habang yung taong kasama mo noong nangyayari yon ay siya namang nawala.” tuloy-tuloy ang pagdaloy ng luha sa kaniyang pisnge.

I didn't want to wait any longer after hearing that. I ran as fast as I could and held her so tightly that I could feel her heart racing. I know that feeling so well, the pain of losing someone you love. And it f*cking hurt so bad to the extent that you just want to disappear into thin air.

She sobbed so hard, I lend my shoulder for her to cry for as long as she want, to make her feel that she’s not alone, and her feelings are valid.

I pat her head, brush her hair with my fingers, and comfort her broken heart.

Now I understand, I finally understood why she was frozen on that cold rain earlier. She might have experienced flashbacks after seeing the same car that took her mother’s life which gave her trauma.

We stay in that exact position for a long time. She’s gasping for air. “After that car hit us, nawalan ako ng malay, pero after a matter of seconds I regained my consciousness.” she still continue telling her story despite having a hard time breathing.

“Alam mo kung ano yung mas masakit? Umasa ako, umasa akong isusugod nila kami sa Hospital at hindi iiwanan lang roon na para bang hayop na nasagasaan sa kalsada. Nang buksan ko ang aking mata’y, nakita ko ang pagbaba ng isang lalaking naka suot ng black leather shoes.Sinisigurado niyang wala ng buhay si Mama, habang ako inaalala ang mukha ng gag*ng yon hanggang sa tuluyan na ‘kong nawalan na ko ng malay.”

“At nang muli kong buksan ang aking mata, nasa Hospital na ako, katabi ang katawan ng aking ina, malamig at wala ng buhay.” that’s when she started crying so bad. I can’t find words to say, I know no words can ease the agony she feels, so the only thing I did is to listen and make her feel my presence.

It's difficult to think that I knew this girl, that I knew her personality, and that she's a strong woman on the outside. I didn't expect her having a tragic past similar to mine.

What's even more painful is that justice was not served to both of us, her family and my brother. Same misfortune, same faith.

That conversation lasted for an hour. It’s almost 10 o’clock in the evening, good thing she already calmed down. It’s bad for her health to cry for so long since she’s not yet on her perfect condition.

I told her to lay down on her bad while we we’re talking. I laid out a comforter on the floor incase I fall asleep.

We talked about a lot of things startint to our favorite song, artist, our childhood, friends, family, almost everything. I didn’t know I’ll be open to someone like this.

We laughed together, we cried together and we comforted each other.

Minutes turn to hours, hindi na namin namalayan ang takbo ng oras. The last time i checked its 12:05, so maybe it’s 1 o’clock in the morning now. Totoo ngang mabilis ang takbo ng oras kapag masaya ka.

Tumayo ako mula sa aking pagkakahiga, nakita kong mahimbing nang natutulog si Mika habang yakap-yakap ang isang unan ng nakangiti.

I smiled.

“Goodnight, I hope you’re having good dreams now.” bulong ko, nakangiti.

I watched how the rays of moonlight hits her flushed face. Her cheeks were red, glowing like stars, while her lips were rosy. Now I wonder what it taste like, cause she’s a thousand times prettier than a play of fireworks.

I pinched myself as I realized what I’m doing. I must be insane…

I put an earphone to her ear while the other one is on mine. Music starts…

Lift your head, baby, don't be scared

Of the things that could go wrong along the way

You'll get by with a smile

You can't win at everything, but you can try.