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Kabanata 3

"LARS, may nagpadala pala sa 'yo." I stopped reviewing a patient's chart when my colleague approached me.

"Ano 'yon?"

"Food. Galing sa guard, may nagpapabigay daw sa 'yo."

Nangiti ako at nagpasalamat matapos abutin ang paperbag, inilapag iyon sa lamesa at binuksan.

A smile curved when I saw a Tupperware with a sticky note inside.

Call me when you're bored, I'll come there. Don't starve yourself, here's your favorite food. I cooked it. Love you.

A chuckle left my lips when I saw it was adobong baboy and tokwa with garlic rice. There are cut-out carrots shaped like a smiley face, too.

Loko-loko talaga!

I opened the tumbler smelled milk. Mainit pa 'yon! Nang tinikman ko'y kuhang-kuha ang pagkakrema na gusto ko. That man, ayaw talaga palagi akong painumin ng kape.

"Who's the secret lover, Lars? Alagang-alaga ka, huh?" ani ng kasama.

"Secret..." I grinned.

"Sus, it's been six months simula no'ng may nagpapadala niyan sa 'yo. Ikaw, ah! Swerte naman at super consistent." She teased.

"You'll know him soon. Pakilala ko kapag sure na." I joked and winked.

Natawa siya, kumaway at umalis. Saktong nag-ring ang phone kaya kinuha ko iyon.

"Hello?"

"Hey, babe." My heart swayed at the sound of his voice.

"Hello, thank you sa food. Nag-abala ka pa. How's work?"

"Tiring..." He sighed. "Can you go outside the hospital?"

"Now?"

"Yes, please, babe."

Pinatay ko ang tawag at nag-ayos ng sarili bago lumabas.

It was windy outside. I'm on a graveyard shift and like always, even after he just got home from work. Lulutuan niya ako sa gabi at magmamaneho rito para ibigay sa 'kin.

"Hey," I jumped when I felt a grip on my waist. Napalingon ako't lumawak ang ngiti pagkakita sa boyfriend ko. "Babe,"

"You're here!" I chirped. He chuckled. I jumped and encircled my arms around his nape as he caught my waist and pulled me even closer.

"How's your day?" He hummed. I smiled when he kissed my cheek, tumingala ako para hagkan ng mabilis ang labi niya.

"Great," I said. "You? Nakakapagod ba sa hotel?"

"Yup, I've signed a lot of papers today." He sighed. "And you weren't there so I was kinda tired and bored."

I chuckled, iniangat ko ang mata ko pero hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang mukha niya. It was unclear, his face is blurred I can't see him clearly.

"Thank you for the food," malambing na sabi ko. "Nag-abala ka pa. Kakauwi mo lang for work nagluto ka tapos bumalik dito?"

"I'm good. It doesn't matter. I won't be tired of making sure you don't starve yourself, babe. I want you healthy, alright? Ilang araw ka ng nagna-nightshift. It isn't healthy anymore and please don't drink too much coffee, hmm?"

"Yes po, but I have to drink coffee kanina." Pumirmi ang labi niya, natawa naman ako at sinapo ang pisngi niya. "It's just one cup, babe!"

"'Di ba..." He sighed. "Inantok ka ba kaagad? You could have called me,"

"Sorry, I just..." My lips protruded.

He tsk-ed and took my hand to kiss the back of my palm. It made me smile wider.

"I'm not mad, it's okay, but don't beat yourself up much, okay? After your shift tomorrow. I will fetch you before I go to work."

"Thank you!" I cheered, kissing his lips again and again. "I love you, I love you!"

He smiled. He tilted his head to plant three sweet kisses on my lips as he brushed my cheek with his thumb affectionately.

"I love you too," he murmured. "So much, Reev. After you rest tomorrow and I get home early, I want to ask you out. Hindi na tayo nakakapagdate." He pouted.

Natawa ako, I nodded and hugged him again.

"Good night, babe," I whispered.

"Good night," he whispered, his lips grazing my ear. Mas humigpit ang yakap niya sa baywang ko.

"H'wag mong pabayaan ang sarili mo. I know patient comes first but don't forget yourself. Papakasalan pa kita," he said smoothly.

I lifted my hand and tried touching his cheek but my mouth parted when he started fading from my sight.

I heaved a deep breath, umawang ang labi ko at sinubukan siyang hawakan pero huli na at nawala na siya sa harapan ko.

He faded just like that, sinubukan kong abutin pero nawala. He became a dust that I tried so hard to keep in my hand but still slipped through my fingers and then... gone.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

"TULALA ka, Lars?" The voice snapped me back to my reverie.

I looked behind me and smiled at the doctor.

"Hi, doc,"

"Are you fine? Mukha kang walang tulog," ani Dr. De Jesus, a psychiatrist.

I smiled a little. "Nothing, I just had a dream again last night."

"Oh, again? I thought it stopped?"

"It did, but it came back last night. Hindi ko na nga iniisip kaso bumabalik sa utak ko. It was the same man from my other dreams." I sighed.

"It might be the memories you missed, don't you think?" aniya, sinusuri ang reaksyon ko.

"Maybe? I don't know, Doc. Minsan naiisip kong gawa-gawa lang ng utak ko but I can feel that it really happened, hindi ko lang maalala kung kailan, kung sino."

"Ilang taon ka ngang na-coma ulit?"

"Four years?" I sighed when I remembered it.

He nodded, his observing gaze fixated on mine.

"If you have time, would you like to go to my clinic? Let's talk about your dreams," he offered.

I've had these dreams for a long time now and consulted with Dr. De Jesus for some advice. He helped me understand my situation better, about my lost memories, and the dream's possibility of being a real memory.

When he left, I went on with duty, chuckling at the things happening.

All I had to do was to get my patient's blood pressure but it ended up with me checking the whole family's.

Wala namang problema, it was fun doing that. Kasi nakapila pa talaga sila minsan at napapailing na lang ang pasyente sa kanila.

The shift was toxic, mostly when it's almost my out. Do'n kasi nagdagsaan ang mga pasyente kaya sa halip na 'til five, six na lang ako nakaalis.

I am exhausted. Sumakto pang anniversary ng ospital kaya naka-off ang halos mga staff. Bagsak na bagsak ako, kulang ang tulog, at gutom dahil sa hindi ako kumain ng lunch. The last time I ate was at breakfast. Take out lang. Grabe talaga ang trabaho tapos underpaid lang ang mga hospital staff.

Nagpalit ako ng itim na dress, nakalugay ang buhok habang papalabas pero may nahuling pamilyar ang tingin ko. I paused at the sight of a man near the hospital's entrance.

He's wearing a black shirt and jeans. He paired it with sneakers. Kausap niya iyong guard sa labasan.

I could notice people's eyes on him. Napapadaan lang pero nalilingon siya. He's really a head-turner, huh? Nag-uumapaw ang charisma at dating.

His hair was quite disheveled, probably from the wind or with his fingers combing it. I'm not sure. Mas bonus pa ang nakakahumaling na berdeng mga mata niya.

I had never encountered people with green eyes before. Siya lang. And it suited him very well.

I walked towards his direction, doon ko lang napansin na may hawak siyang pumpon ng bulaklak. Narinig ko ang tawanan nila no'ng guard.

"Ay naku, Sir. Tiyak na magugustuhan kayo no'ng nililigawan mo kapag nakita kang may bitbit niyan." The guard laughed.

"I hope so." Caspian laughed, shaking his head. "I wish she would."

May nililigawan siya?

I was confused. Thought he had an ex he couldn't get over with? Also, if he's courting someone here then, why is he fetching me now? He fetched me earlier, too!

Bakit?

My forehead creased, I walked towards his direction and I saw how he straightened his back when he saw me.

"Reev!" He smiled. I pouted, bumaba ang tingin ko sa hawak niyang bulaklak at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Is that for me?" I asked bluntly.

He froze, napatitig siya sa mukha ko na tila nagulat at namamangha na hindi maintindihan.

"Hello? Earth to Caspian?"

"Oh, uhm..." Lumunok siya at pinakita sa akin ang bulaklak. He was panicking. I was curious.

"What?" I asked.

"Uhm, bili ka na, fifty pesos lang," he said and showed me the flowers.

Parang nabingi ata ako. I blinked repeatedly.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Uhm, ano, sideline ko magbenta ng bulaklak. Baka interested ka?" he informed seriously.

Napanganga ako.

"S-seryoso?" I exclaimed.

He remained looking, his green eyes fixated on mine. I even saw a smile escaping his lips but he bit it off.

"You're really selling these?" I asked then glanced at the flowers.

He nodded, his lips slightly protruding.

"Yes, do you like them?" He asked.

"Uhm, yeah but–"

"These are for you." Ibinigay niya sa akin ang bulaklak at ngumisi. "Wala ng bumili, e, marami 'yan kanina. Last stock ko na and since we're close sa 'yo na 'yan."

I could feel a literal question mark above my head as I glanced at the long-stemmed roses on my arms back to Caspian.

"Yup," he beamed.

"Pero sabi ni Kuya guard may nililigawan ka sa loob? You probably wanted to give these to her?"

"Kalalabas lang." My lips parted. He looked amused at my reaction. "I was just kidding. Sinabi ko lang para 'di ako paalisin dito. Pinapaubos ko kasi ang rosas na benta ko, kaya 'yon... sa 'yo na lang." He smiled again.

"Thanks... I guess?" I chuckled.

Mas namungay ang tingin niya at tumango, humahawak sa batok niya.

"Happy anniversary," he mumbled.

"What?"

"'D-Di ba anniversary ngayon nitong ospital n'yo?" Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at sumulyap sa ospital.

"Yes? How did you know?"

"Nothing." Ngumiti siyang muli at inilahad ang kamay sa akin. "I would never forget this day."

"You're weird sometimes, Mr. Driver," I noticed. Inabot niya ang bag ko't humawak sa siko ko.

"Weird's my second name." He smirked and then reached for the unruly strands of my hair to tuck it behind my ear. "Is it fine if I ask you out tonight? Eat?"

I still have a lot of questions for him but I'm starving.

"Sure," I agreed and touched my stomach. "I am quite hungry din kasi."

His forehead creased. His gaze went down my stomach.

"You haven't eaten anything?" He asked grumpily.

"I did, kaso no'ng breakfast pa." I smiled sheepishly.

"What? Hindi kita pinapakialaman sa trabaho mo but isa lang ang bilin ko, 'di ba? All I want is for you to eat well and–"

"Alam mo iisipin ko na talagang matagal na kitang kilala, e," I retorted. He paused, surprised.

"H-hindi ba?" He asked.

"Sabi mo hindi pa." I shrugged. "But I am doubting it now, you seemed to care a lot, kung kumain na ba ako o hindi. I came here before my accident. I think I've worked in some hospital nearby. Doon ata sa may malapit sa shipping lines? Ewan, siguro. It's weird kasi you're the only person that showed that much concern for me ever since I came back here. Nakakapanibago."

Nanatili siyang tahimik.

I stared at him intently and curiously. "Do you know me, Cas? Since you've been driving here before. Baka nasakyan kita?"

I noticed heat rushing in his face. Nagtaka ako nang mamula siya at nanigas nang sapuin ko ang pisngi niya.

"Okay ka lang?"

"Yeah..." He swallowed painfully, nodding. "I'm okay... baka nga... ano, nasakyan mo na 'ko noon."

"Right?" I sighed and tapped his cheek before I let go. Medyo hinabol niya ang hawak ko pero pumirmi rin at kumamot sa panga niya. "Naku, Cas. Baka suki mo 'ko d'yan sa traysikel mo 'di mo lang sinasabi, a?"

Hindi na siya umimik at ngumiti.

"Anyway, let's eat? I'm starving. Baka kainin na ng mga bulate ang intestines ko!"

He brushed his hair and led me to his tricycle. Sa likod niya 'ko sumakay at humawak ako sa balikat niya.

"Hang in there, babe. Papakainin kita nang maraming-marami!" he said lowly. I didn't get the first few words pero nabuhayan ako ro'n sa papakain ako ng marami!

"Talaga? Sabi mo 'yan, a?" I punched his shoulder jokingly. He nodded. "Libre ko."

Nailing na lang ako. Palugi talaga ata ang negosyo ng lalaking 'to kakalibre niya.

He started his tricycle. I've noticed na walang sumasakay sa loob kahit may nadaraan kami. Wala ring pumapara!

"Walang sumasakay?" I asked curiously.

He shook his head and took something in front. Mukhang karatula na nakasabit at inabot sa 'kin.

Kinuha ko 'yon at binasa.

Special Service

Namamanghang natawa ako at pinalo ang braso niya.

"Ano 'to?!"

"Pina-special ko 'tong biyahe para sa 'yo," aniya at nagkatinginan kami sa side mirror. He winked playfully and continued driving.

While staring at his back, a string of dreams or whatever was played in my head. A familiar back in a suit. The clean-cut hair. Then the familiar back on the bed... naked.

I flinched with the memory. Ipinikit ko ang mata at malalim na humugot ng hininga.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," sagot ko. "Medyo napuwing lang. Kaskasero ka kasi mag-drive."

His lips parted. I chuckled at his defeated reaction.

"Hindi!" He defended. "Malumanay naman ang maneho ko, a? Nagpaturo kaya 'ko..."

Malumanay nga. Maingat. Pero s'yempre dapat may excuse!

I shrugged. Napaawang ang labi niya at napabaling muli sa kalsada hanggang sa mas bumagal ang maneho.

Sinapok ko ang likod. He grunted.

"What?"

"Ano? Bumagal naman? Ano ba 'to prusisyon ng patay?"

"Pero sabi mo kaskasero..." Ngumuso siya. "Maingat nga 'yon kaso napuwing ka kaya–"

"My God, Cas, I was kidding." I chuckled. "Sorry, sige na. Bilisan mo na, gutom na gutom na 'ko."

Mas bumilis siya pero maingat pa rin. Akala mo naman mahuhulog ako!

Nahuhuli ko siyang pasulyap-sulyap sa 'kin sa side mirror. It was so often that it made me think he's afraid I'm an apparition or something. That I might just vanish if he looks away even for a second.

Bumaba kami nang may tinuro akong eatery sa may bayan. Nakaalalay siya sa bawat kilos ko at ako nama'y 'di iyon nakitaan ng kahit ano para mailang.

In fact, I felt pretty comfortable with him which is quite surprising because I don't remember anything or anyone from here. No'ng napunta kasi ko rito'y nangako ako kay Dad na doon lang sa ospital na 'yon mag-trabaho at h'wag basta-basta makipaglapit sa mga 'di ko kilala.

But this man... he hits differently.

There's something about him that made me feel... safe.

Nauna siya pababa ng trayk at inilahad ang kamay sa 'kin. Muntik pa 'kong mawalan ng balanse nang sumabit ang bag pero naabot niya ako agad at inalalayan.

"Careful, Reev," he hummed and pulled my dress down carefully when it hitched up.

Miski siya ay nagulat sa ginawa at napalayo.

"Pasensya na, 'di ako nagpaalam," paumanhin niya. "Umaangat kasi..."

"It's fine." I beamed. "Libre mo ba?" I joked but he nodded and licked his lips.

"S'yempre, libre ko."

"Ows?! Uy, niloloko lang kita." My eyes widened. "Baka naman napi-pressure ka?"

He smirked. "'Di ako napi-pressure, libre ko talaga."

"Dami mo bang kita today?"

"Hmm..." He took the flowers from my arm and slowly place his hand around my waist. "Maaga akong naka-boundary, Reev."

"Nice," I playfully pinched his cheek. "Paano ba naman? Kinikindatan mo siguro mga pasahero mo, ano? Kaya nakakakuha ka kaagad?"

"Nah." He looked at me proudly. "Tignan ko lang, may magpapara na."

"Ang kapal ng mukha, please?" I snorted. He chuckled heartily and pinched my nose.

"Damn, you're so adorable. Tara, let's eat."

People's eyes were on us–I mean, on him as when we got inside. Some were discreet but most of them are noticeable, lantaran kung lantaran.

It shouldn't matter but there's a sudden pang of jealousy washing through me that I mindlessly wrapped my arms on Cas' arm that left my waist when he opened the door for me.

I caught the shock in his expression but he didn't comment and even firmed my hold in his arm by pulling it closer to his side.

He requested a place on the second floor kaya do'n kami nagtungo.

"I'm starving," I sighed heavily.

"Ayan kasi..." He shook his head and took my hand, guiding me to the woody stairs. He chose a place near the windows. Kaming dalawa lang ang tao ro'n. "Next time, kapag nalaman kong hindi ka kumakain sa tamang oras ipapaubos ko sa 'yo isang kaldero ng kanin, you understand?"

"Grabe naman 'to!" Namilog ang mata ko.

"I'm serious, woman," he informed seriously. "Stay here, alright? I'll go get your food. Enjoy the view."

I nodded and smiled happily. I watched him walk away and when he faded from my sight, I felt the familiar tug of pain in my chest again.

I massaged the spot where my heart was, closing my eyes.

This is what I feel every time the man in my dream fades away.

Inangat ko na lang ang tingin sa langit para kahit papaano'y gumaan ang loob. The night was calm. There is no moon visible but the stars were plenty enough to lit the dark skies. It was beautiful.

Thinking of it, I should be scared of Caspian. He's basically a stranger. I just met him in the emergency room yesterday yet here I am, dining with him. Dapat takot ako, dapat hindi ako sasama. What if he wants something from me? Paano kung masamang tao pala siya?

It seems like he even had excess baggage he's carrying but... nababaliw na ba ako?

"Here, eat." Umangat ang tingin ko at walang pangambang ngumiti sa kanya.

"Thanks," I said softly.

"No problem." Inayos niya ang pagkain sa lamesa namin at mas natuwa pa ako sa binili niyang ulam sa akin.

It was adobong baboy and tokwa! Like yesterday!

"It's my favorite, Cas!" I cheered when I saw the meal.

"Is it?" He asked. I nodded and smiled. "Ang galing pala ng hula ko kahapon?"

I happily took the spoon and fork and started eating, inayos naman ni Caspian ang juice sa lamesa ko bago inilapit sa akin ang gulay.

"I brought another meal. May tinola din kung maumay ka."

"Ako mauumay?" Natawa ko. "Not with this."

"I know." He smirked knowingly. "After eating your favorite, you have to eat veggies, hmm?"

"Of course. Thank you, Caspian, kain ka na rin!"

"I will." Kinuha niya ang plato at naghiwa rin ng karne. I observed him, noticing how he looked majestic as he sliced his pork with the knife he probably requested, saglit rin siyang sumimsim ng orange juice at nahuli akong nakatingin sa kanya.

"You like it?"

"Yes." I nodded. "Do you know how to cook? Kasi alam mo, mas masarap kapag personal na niluluto."

"Yup," he said proudly. "I will cook you food, don't worry. Is it okay if I get your schedule so I can cook you something for lunch, perhaps?"

"Talaga?" I asked, surprised. "Baka mamaya niyan, crush mo na pala ako, Caspian?" Biro ko pa.

"Yes," he confirmed without second thoughts. My back straightened.

"W-weh?" I panicked, my heart lurching out of my throat.

"Are you panicking?" he asked with amusement.

"H-hindi, bakit ako magpa-panic?" Lumunok ako.

"Will you panic if I tell you I love you?" He smirked.

"W-what? Huh, w-why?" Muntik pang mahulog ang puwet ko sa upuan. He chuckled, stared intently, and shook his head.

"You panicked, see? Wala na akong sinabi." He glanced at the sky. "I'm just way too fast, damn, I messed up," he rasped.

I tugged my skirt to calm the giddy feelings and the flutter in my stomach.

This is definitely not right!

He might've caught my reaction. Namungay ang tingin niya at umayos ng upo.

"I'm sorry, Reev, but am I scaring you?" he asked.

Does he?

Umiling ako. "No. I'm not scared and I think that's what's scarier..." I breathed.

His lips parted. He brushed his hair and nodded.

"How so? Am I too fast? Do you think I'm creepy?" Pansin ko ang agam-agam niya. "Tell me so I can know and work on it. Kung natatakot ka sa 'kin–"

"Hindi sa natatakot, Caspian." Umiling ako. "I just felt unusually comfortable with you. Na kahit kakakilala ko lang sa 'yo kahapon, ang gaan-gaan ng loob ko. Na parang 'di ka stranger. Parang matagal na kitang..." Tumitig ako sa kanya.

He swallowed. I saw a drop of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Parang matagal n-na?"

"Matagal na..." His breath stopped. "Kaibigan," I finished.

He blinked. "Yeah, friend." He laughed awkwardly.

"May problema ba sa pagiging friends natin?" I asked softly.

"No, nothing," he licked his lip, chuckling. "Basta sana kapag may nagawa akong hindi maganda o hindi mo gusto, sabihin mo sa 'kin. If I was fast or you feel awkward and uncomfortable. Sabihin mo sa 'kin."

Tumango ako.

"I will. I don't feel awkward but I would tell you if I did. Paano mo naman nasabi 'yan?"

He reached for his glass and sipped on his juice, watching it momentarily. When he looked up to me, mapungay at may 'di mapangalanang emosyon na ang mga mata niya.

"I have to be careful of my moves, Reev." He smiled sadly. "I was scared I might lose that person again, you know I can't risk losing it again."

I didn't say anything and listened. Muling nahulog ang atensyon niya sa baso.

"I did a lot of things in the past I regret," he mumbled lowly.

I heaviness of his words resonated with me.

"Lahat naman tayo may bagay na mga pinagsisisihan, Caspian," I muttered. "You're not alone, kahit ako mayro'n din."

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at tumitig sa akin.

"Would you mind if I ask you?"

"Not at all." I shook my head and spent some time finishing my meal. He waited patiently and followed through.

"Ang pinagsisisihan ko ay 'yong magising ng isang araw na walang maalalang kahit ano," I said quietly.

He gasped. His eyes were on me when I looked back, bloodshot.

"I just woke up after four years in coma, Caspian," I shared. Mas namula at kumislap ang mga mata niya.

"Temporally graded retrograde amnesia, the doctor told me," pagkekwento ko. "It's a type of amnesia where I forgot memories in the past maybe a year or two before the incident."

"W-what happened?" he asked hesitantly, his voice low. I even noticed it trembled.

"Head injury, I think," I answered. "I was hit by a metal pipe in the head, causing brain hemorrhage kaya na-comatose ako. It affected a part of my brain responsible for my memories so I can't remember a thing, why it happened, sinong gumawa sa akin no'n?"

A tear fell in his eyes mirroring the ones yesterday, when he cried. I stared at him as I tell more about it.

"All I remembered was, I'm a nurse. I found out I lost the memories two years prior to my incident. It was recent ones, those two years I forgot. Hindi ko alam." I smiled sadly. "Then, during my stay in Manila, I trained as a nurse again, ilang taon na rin naman akong nurse bago naaksidente so it was easy for me to cope."

"D-did they try investigating the case?" he asked, something else now lacing in his tone.

He was brokenhearted but now, there's bitter rage mixing.

"Wala namang suspect. Dead end." I shrugged. "I was thrown at the side of the road to die if it weren't for the people who found me and brought me to the hospital. Aside from that, they said I was shot in the stomach. I lost a lot of blood–probably more if you think of it."

I chuckled and closed my eyes, reminiscing the confusion I had when I woke up.

"Pinagsisisihan ko lang na wala akong maalala. Naiinis ako sa sarili ko, bakit kaya nangyari sa akin 'yon noon? Naisip ko, siguro kung hindi nawala ang ala-ala ko ay kilala ko pa rin kung sino 'yong naiwan ko? O kung may naiwan ba ako?"

When I opened my eyes, I was stunned when I realized Caspian's already covering his face to hide, crying. His shoulders moved and I could hear the agony and pain escaping his sobs.

"C-Cas..." I called. "Why... why are you crying?"

Hindi siya sumagot, mas sumikip ang dibdib ko sa basag na boses niya.

"C-Caspian!" I panicked and stood. Tinakbo ko ang puwesto niya't tumayo sa gilid niya para abutin ang buhok niya.

"Cas..." Nag-aalalang tawag ko, humahapdi na rin ang mata't nadadamay sa iyak niya. It hurt so badly I feel suffocated. "Why are you crying? Why–" I froze when he pulled me towards him. Hindi ako nakagalaw nang ibinaon niya ang mukha sa tyan ko at mahigpit na yumakap sa baywang.

"I-I'm sorry..." He apologized brokenly. "P-patawarin n'yo ko..."

Mas sumikip ang dibdib ko at hinaplos ang ulo niya. Hinawi ko ang luha.

"What? Cas, y-you don't have to cry for me. It wasn't your fault, I was just telling you my story–"

Hindi siya umimik at mas niyakap lang ako, mahigpit at may pangungulila.

He cried like a lost child on my stomach, naguguluhan man ay iniangat ko ang kamay at hinaplos ang buhok niya para sumubok na kalmahin siya. I brushed his hair softly. Patuloy ang paghikbi niya, ang mahigpit na yakap, ang panginginig.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." he chanted like a prayer. "It's my fault. I-I'm sorry..."

"R-Reev... a-anak ko." I felt his lips on my stomach.