Arch of the Centuries

11

VINCE’S POV

After that i didn't waste any seconds, i quickly grab my car keys and immediately went out of the court. I also didn't have the time to get my things so i left it there, right now i don't care if i won't be able to get in the team, i just need to know if my brother, Marco, is safe and sound. Kuya Ken’s death brought disaster to our family, i don't think losing another member will be bearable for us, especially me, hell i love that kid too much.

After getting out of the University I huriedly went to the parking area and get inside my car. I drove fast, when i am finally outside the school i saw the heavy traffic.

"Fuck." I cursed. Hindi na talaga ako mapakali ngayon, alalang-alala na ako sa kapatid ko lalo na at hindi ko sila matawagan dahil na deadbat ang aking cellphone.

The roadside is full of students in their uniform, some are looking stressed and some are looking relieve.

"Alas kwarto na nga pala s**t, students are out all over nanaman kasi tapos na mga klase" i said to my self. Nervously tapping my fingers in the car steering wheel, I looked at the road trying to examine it.

Ten minutes had past and ngayon lang uumuusad ang traffic. Noong naka usad-usad na ang mga sasakyan I had the space para makaliko pa daan sa way na lalong matagal ngunit walang traffic. I'd rather drove there than just wait here till the traffic is gone and doing nothing, plus hindi ko na kaya ang tindi aking pagaalala at pangamba na baka kung ano na ang nangyari kay Marco.

I am finally here in font of the Hospital marco is in after thirty minutes of driving. Nag park na ako at dali daling lumabas ng sasakyan papuntang entrance ng hospital.

"What room number and floor Marco Enriquez is in?" i anxiously asked the nurse.

May tiningnan pa ang nurse sa kanyang computer before answering me.

"Room 127, 7th floor sir." the nurse told me. I thanked her and went to where the elevator is. Noong nandoon na ako nakita kong puno ito at yung isa naman ay under maintenance.

Ano bang meron ngayong araw at puro kamalasan ang dumarating sakin? I had no choice but to use the stairs instead. Kakalaro lang namin ng basketball so I am currently wearing sport shoes, i dont need to remove it, in fact it will be more easier for me.

Sinimulan ko ng tumakbo pataas sa seventh floor. Nasa 5th floor palang ay hingal na hingal na ako, muka na akong asong pagod na pagod sa pagtakbo patilikuran ko ay basang basa na rin sa pawis.

Tinuloy ko na ang aking pag taas at sa wakas nakatungtong narin ako sa 7th floor. Dali dali kong hinanap ang room number ni Marco at nung nakita ko ito hindi na ako nag sayang ng oras at pumasok na ako agad sa loob nito.

"Marco!" I exclaimed.

I saw him sleeping peacefuly in his hospital bed when i entered the room. Immediately went to him, caressed his cheeks and looked for damages.

I also noticed that his head is bandaged, i quickly look at manang Ester and asked what happened.

"Anong nangyari, manang?" I asked.

"Nadulas sya Vince habang naliligo, tumama ang ulo sa sahig kaya naka bandage ang ulo ni Marco." manang Ester told me while looking at Marco.

"Napansin kong matagal na sya sa banyo kaya pinuntahan ko sya sa kanyang room, para tingnan kung ayos lang ba sya." she continued

"kumatok ako ng kumatok sa pintuan ng banyo ni Marco pero hindi sya sumasagot kaya nag alala na din ako at pumunta sa baba para kunin ang susi ng cr. Noong nabuksan ko na ang pinto, nakita ko ang kapatid mo nakahiga sa sahig, walang kamalay malay" I looked at my brother with sad eyes. hindi ko alam, wala ako doon sa tabi nya noong nangyari iyon.

"kamusta naman po? ayos lang po ba ang ulo niya? malala po ba ang condition niya? masama po ba ang pag kakabagsak?" i boombared her with question i was dying to know the answers.

"h'wag kang mag alala Vince, ayos lang ang kapatid mo. Wala namang nakitang komplikasyon ang mga doctor sa ulo ni Marco. Hindi naman malala ang nangyari at ang pag kakabagsak nya, pero kailangan ni marco ang treatment na sinasabi ng doctor at kailangan din muna n'yang manatili muna dito sa hospital ng ilang pang mga araw." she answered habang hinahaplos ang likod ko as a way to comfort me.

"Salamat manang" not gonna lie but i am really thankful that we have manang Ester. Ever since I was a kid she has already been there. S'ya ang nag palaki sa'kin, siya ang nag alaga at umintindi sa akin sa mga panahong wala si mom and dad.

Speaking of them, nasaan nga ba sila?

"Nasan po si mom and dad manang? Alam po ba nila ang nangyari? Nabisita na po ba nila si Marco?"

"Sinabi ko na sa kanila, sabi ng dad mo mamaya pa sya makakapunta dahil may trial pa sya."

"Si mom po?" i asked

It took manang minutes before answering me.

"Nasa trabaho pa siguro, may shoot ata ang mom mo, sinabi ko na sa kanya ngunit wala pa syang reply. Sinubukan kong tawagan pero ring lang ng ring ang phone nya." manang Ester told me. Tumango nalamang ako, yeah baka busy nga at baka may shoot.

Si dad naman may trial pa daw kung kailan kailangan sila wala sila dito, that has always been the case naman. nothing new.

I heaved a sigh and tried to compose myself. Buti nalang hindi malala ang kondisyon ni Marco kung hindi, ‘di ko na alam ang gagawin ko. Tumayo na ako sa kinauupuan ko at pumunta sa cr upang mag hilamos.

I splashed the cold water in my face trying to calm myself, well after knowing Marco is fine it made me feel better a bit but it doesn't change the fact na nag aalala pa rin ako para sakanya. I remember the time when kuya Ken was lying lifelessly in the floor, that was so traumatazing for me. I keep blaming my self for his death. If i just didn't asked him to go with me to buy my favorite icecream that night. If i just didn't...