Almost Winter TATLONG oras mula nang inumpisahan ng mga doctor ang masusing operasyon para kay Astrid. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako mapakali. I try to stay calm, but the condition in that foreign country is quiet making me feel more uncomfortable. Nakasuot ako ng long sleeve thick shirt, but it doesn't mean I already feel warm inside. The truth is I feel a little bit of chill in almost wintertime in New York, America. I just can't get ready for it dahil sa sitwasyon ng anak ko ako nakatutok. Ganoon pa man ay ni minsan hindi ko iyon pinahalata sa taong kasama ko roon. Nang bahagya nang giniginaw ang pakiramdam ko ay nagpaalam na muna ako rito kahit pa hindi ako kinikibo nito. I stroll and try to find a coffee vendo machine throughout the hallways. Nang may nakita ako ay bumili agad ako ng dalawa. One is his usual brewed coffee and mine is cappuccino. Bumalik ako nang may bitbit na akong dalawang tasa ng kape. I looked at him and examine his firm and back. I let a sigh before
Interrogation I WAS rubbing my hands together to ease the cold I have felt. I was more struggle with the cold at hindi ko na iyon maitatago pa sa mga sandaling iyon.Nakita ko ang paglingon sa akin ni Ashton. He frowned at me while looking at my shirt, and then at my palms."Are you cold?" tanong nito sa akin na ikinalingon ko sa kanya."No. I am just anxious about my daughter's condition inside the operating room. Kumusta na kaya siya?" I mumble with a very concerned voice.He frowned. It seems that he is not convinced with me. Inabot nito ang palad ko. Then he knew that both of my hands are very cold. Napapailing ito sa akin."Don't worry, she will be okay," he assured me. "You should tell me if you are cold, Amber." he seriously looks and squeezes my hands with his hands.Suddenly my heart was raised by what he did. Hindi ko akalain na gagawin niya iyon upang mapawi ang lamig na nararamdaman ko.When I feel a little warmth ay kumawala na ang kamay ko sa mga kamay nito. "I-I'm fine
Family Dinner [ PAMELA P.O.V. ]I WAS so very much excited and eager to introduce my nephew to the family. Kahapon pa talaga ako kating-kati na gawin iyon mula nang sinundo ko ito sa bahay ng Nanay niya. But of course, I didn't do that because I want first to ask my brother kung pwede ko bang gawin 'yon na wala pa siyang sinasabi.When my brother agreed with me, doon pa ako gumawa ng plano kung paano ko iyon gagawin mismo sa oras na natapos ang paguusap namin ng kapatid ko.Yesterday, I phoned our father and informed him what Kuya Ashton's order. Pumayag naman si Daddy na ito muna ang uupo sa posisyon ni Kuya habang wala ito ng ilang araw. Of course, Dad wondered what was going on with my brother and why he rushed and fly to New York with no notice.Kahit may kaunti akong alam pero hindi ko iyon sinabi sa kanya. Kuya will tell it to them as soon as he arrives. Ngayon pa lang excited na talaga ako sa magiging reaksyon nila na ang Kuya ko ay may kambal na anak. Ang nakakalungkot lang a
His Twins [ PAMELA P.O.V. ]"WHO son is he again?" my mom asked me after a second of silence."Didn't you hear it clearly, Mom? I said this is Axel. Kuya Ashton, son."Their jaw dropout when I said it slowly but clearly for them to hear it enough."Are you..." Dad wants to say something while looking at Axel's existence but he back off and just keeps staring at the kid."How did it happen that your brother has a son?" Granddad finally speaks after his silence."A-are you sure that this kid is your brother, son, Pamela?" Mom asks me but still glaring at Axel.I smiles as I saw their shocked reactions. I cleared my throat for them to look at me. "Listen first," I said. "Yesterday, I was also shocked when my brother called me and ask for my help to take care of this little one while the mother and himself fly to New York to sort out important matters..." I paused. Ayoko na ako mismo ang magsasabi ng dahilan kung bakit nasa new york si Kuya ngayon. "I doubt when he instructed me to go to
Successful Operation "YOU said, you haven't eaten yet." Mommy Cell said when Ashton and Dad finish their private conversation.Napasulyap ako rito. "Don't bother, Mom," I said."ARE you hungry?" Napasulyap rin ako kay Ashton ng tanungin niya ako."It's almost lunch," Dad said. "You go now and have your lunch." wika nito sa aming dalawa ni Ashton."But–" I try to protest ngunit inunahan na ako ni Mom magsalita."Come on, honey. Kailangan n'yo ring kumain para magkaroon ng lakas," he said."Your mom, and I are here. Kami na muna ang maghihintay ng update sa operasyon ng Apo ko." Dad said.Wala na akong nagawa pa. Isa pa tama sila at nagugutom na rin ako. Ilang araw ding wala sa ayos ang pagkain ko.Ashton drive a car and we went to the nearest restaurant. Nagtataka ako at gusto ko sana siyang tanungin kung bakit may kotse ito sa parking lot ng hospital."I have a property here. I ask someone to drop my car," he said. I assume na nabasa niya ang nasa utak ko.Napapatango na lang ako rit
Visitors IT'S been three days since our daughter's operations become successful. Astrid slowly gains her energy. Inalis na rin ng mga doctor ang mga nakakabit sa kanya na mga aparato. I am happy to see her relationship with her father. Sa bawat araw na nagdaan ay mas napapalapit ang dalawa sa isa't isa."Papa, when can I go home? I miss my brother, I want to see him and my Lolas at home." Astrid asks her father. That time he was feeding Astrid, and I peeling some healthy fruits for her."You will see him soon, baby," he answered her while smiling."Really, Papa?" he nodded. "Yehey... I am excited now."He gently tapped her head. "Come on, eat this all so that you will feel better."Hindi naman sumalungat ang bata at sunod-sunod nitong tinanggap ang pagkain na mismo ang hospitals kitchen staff ang nagluto para sa kanya. It was a food that her doctor prescribes para mas gumaling ang opera niya.When I already finished peeling the fruits lumapit ako sa kabilang kama."If you are done ta
Bad News ASHTON's mom and dad volunteered to look for Astrid at the hospital that night para naman daw makapagpahinga ako at si Ashton ng maayos. I have no choice since they insist on it. Also, they want to have some bonding time with their granddaughter. Lalo na at kinagigiliwan ng Nanay ni Ashton si Astrid, that because they really look alike. Hindi naman ako madamot para hindi sila pagbigyan na alagaan nila ang anak ko. After I agree with them, they immediately show gratitude. They have said that it was a dream come true for having and taking care of a grandchild.I and Axel have time to bond with each others during at night. Bago ako tuloyang nagpahinga ay pinagtimpla ko muna ng gatas si Axel, I also let him drink his vitamins.Pagpasok ko sa loob ng silid ni Ashton ay nakita ko ang dalawa na nakahiga sa malaking kama at nagtatawanan. I immediately avoid looking at him. Dahil sa paguusap namin kanina sa hospital ay bigla itong nag-iba sa akin, he really thought that I am regretti
Breaking Point NARAMDAMAN ko ang paglapit sa akin ni Ashton nang makita nito natahimik ako at bahagyang namamasa ang aking mga mata. Naramdaman ko rin na nasa akin ang mga mata ng kanyang kapatid at abuwelo."What happened?" he asks me in a concerned voice.My eyes watered. "K-Kailangan ko umuwi. A-ang Mama ko... K-kailangan ako nila ngayon." I said."You want to go back home now?" he asked looking at my teary eyes.Tumango ako ng bahagya. "K-kaso si Astrid." nag-aalangan kong wika rito.His sister's cleared her throat. "Amber, kung may emergency na nangyari sa pamilya mo ngayon you can go home. Huwag kang mag-alala sa pamangkin ko na nasa hospital. I and our family are here for her. Babantayan namin siya habang wala ka."Bahagya akong ngumiti kay Pamela. "Oh, please... E-emergency lang talaga. I'll go home with, Axel." wika ko kay Ashton."I'll come with you—""Huwag na. Dito ka na lang kay Astrid." pagputol ko sa sasabihin nito."Kuya can also come with you, and Axel. Huwag kayong m