“Good morning, Mommy!” Charlie greeted her still sleeping mother. Aaron watched as Charlie carefully climb on the hospital bed and gave her mother’s hand a kiss. “Goodmorning, baby brother!” his daughter continued as she gently ran her little hands over at Sam’s tummy. “Here, I made a card for you.”
Charlie placed a card beside Sam’s pillow. It has a colorful stick figures of their family with little hearts and flowers on the border. Charlie scribbled that herself last night when she learned that he’ll be bringing her again to the hospital today.
It has been two long weeks since the incident happened. Nailipat na si Sam sa isang regular suite. Nakauwi na rin si Joseph mula sa ospital. Pormal na siyang nakapagsampa ng kaso laban kina Gregory at Kristine. And though he’s still learning how to make a perfect ponytail, he know now how to braid Charlie’s hair. Subalit sa
Sam had been running for a while now in that dark place she was in. She had no idea where she was and how she got there. All she knew was that she needs to get out of there as soon as possible. She needs to be with her family. She needs to be with Aaron and Charlie. She needs to--She screamed when she fell onto something—a pit of neverending darkness. She thrashed her head from side to side, desperately looking for something she can hold on to but nothing—all she can see was nothing.Few moments more and she fell on what seemed to be a dark ground of nothingness. She breathed heavily—filling her chest with as much air as she needs. After that, she shook her head—dismissing the fear and confusion surrounding her. She gathered what seemed to be the last of her strength and tried to stand.“Aaron! Charlie!” she called, but she didn’t hear her voice. Mukhang hindi lang ang paningin niya ang wala sa lugar
Aaron’s chest constricted as she saw Lucas walking to and fro in front of Kristine’s hospital suite. He doesn’t want to think of anything negative but he cannot help it. Lalo pa sa malayo pa lang, kitang-kita na niya ang matinding pag-aalala sa mukha ni Lucas.He picked up his pace and made Charlie sit on the waiting bench before facing Lucas.“What happened?” nagmamadaling tanong niya sa kaibigan.Lucas gently shook his head and ran his fingers on his hair. “I really don’t know what happened but a nurse advised me not to go in yet when I arrived. What could possibly be wrong? Ngayon lang naman nangyari ‘to?”He released a slow breath, trying to keep his panic to himself. “Doc Angel checked on her before we went to see Doc Stef. She said Sam was fine and so is the baby,” kalmadong paliwanag niya.“She said that?” tanong nito. Tumango siya. &ldquo
“And that’s all for the day’s visit,” deklara ni Aaron matapos nitong isara ang pinto ng hospital suite ni Samantha.She just spent the whole day talking to her loved ones who came to visit her. Honestly, she was tired. Her strength is not yet in it’s excellent condition but defying death made her realized that she should appreciate all the time she gets to spend with the people she loves. Kaya naman kahit nanghihina pa rin siya, she made sure to talk to her loved ones who came to see her today.Naunang dumating ang Daddy niya. He cried as soon as he entered her hospital room. Naiyak na rin siya nang makita itong buhay at maayos. Aaron had already filled her in with what happened to her Dad and all the things that has transpired while she was in coma. At abot-langit ang pasasalamat niya na kahit nailagay sa alanganin ang buhay nilang mag-ama, they both survived and given a next chance at life.Sunod naman na duma
Maingat na hinawakan ni Aaron ang kamay ni Sam nang tumigil ang sasakyan nila sa mismong front porch ng bahay ng mga Sandejas sa Tagaytay. Matapos ang halos tatlong linggo niyang pamamalagi sa ospital, she finally got discharge today.And she’s more than happy to see the outside world. It has been days since she woke up from the coma but she couldn’t go out of her hospital suite to stretch her legs for a bit. Aaron wouldn’t allow her.Mula nang magising siya, hindi na umalis si Aaron sa tabi niya. Lagi itong nakabantay sa kanya. He’d carry her to the bathroom. Feed her like she’s a three-year old kid. And even wakes up intentionally at night just to check on her. Daig pa nito ang nurses sa ospital na nagra-rounds.But she couldn’t complain. She loves getting all of his attention. After all the struggles they went through in keeping their feelings for each other a secret, it’s quite liberating no
Samantha silently reached for Aaron’s hands as they sat on the chairs designated for jail visitors. She can sense that he is getting impatient that's why she did that.They will be meeting with Kristine today. And though Aaron was still having second thoughts about him meeting with Kristine, she, on the other hand, was ready to face Kristine.In fact, it was her idea to finally meet with Kristine today. She wanted to do it for closure. Because after Kristine had pleaded guilty during her own arraignment, there would be no reason for them to her ever again.Isang linggo na ang lumipas matapos ang libing ni Gregory. Maliban sa ilang tapat na taga-silbi, ni wala sa mga malalayong kamag-anak at business associates ang dumalo sa lamay nito. Matapos kasi nitong makulong dahil sa ginawa nitong pag-kidnap sa kanilang dalawa ni Charlie, naglabasan na rin ang iba’t-ibang kaso na may kaugnayan kay Gregory Sto. Domingo. Kasama na roon a
Aaron gently placed a bunch of flowers at the tomb in front of him. It has been two years ago since he last visited there personally. Not that he didn’t want too. But he respects the De Herreras so much that he prevented himself to visit Monique’s grave knowing that they are putting the blame on him with her unexpected demise.“The one who did this to you is already dead. He killed himself. Not exactly the punishment I really wanted for him to have but… his death was more than enough payment for all of his sins.” He took in a sharp breath—trying to rein in his emotions.Dala pa rin niya sa kunsensiya niya ang nangyari kay Monique na lalo lang pinagtibay ng confession ni Gregory. Kahit na ilang beses na silang nag-usap ni Sam tungkol doon, at kahit na anong pag-aalo ang gawin nito, hindi pa rin niya maalis sa isip niya that it was because of Gregory’s hate towards him and his family that was the cause of Mon
Samantha helped Charlie stand up on the chair as her daughter readied herself to blow the candles of her three-tier fairy themed cake. Nakaalalay naman sa kabilang gilid nito si Aaron, carefully instructing their daughter on how to blow the rows of candles with just one blow.Today after a few weeks of delay, natuloy din ang 4th birthday party ni Charlie. Charlie wasn’t really interested in having a birthday party anymore but Madam Liza insisted that her daughter needs to have one. And so after many times of persuasion, Charlie finally picked the perfect theme for her party—fairyland. And she had spent the last few days preparing everything for her daughter’s event. This is the first time that Charlie would be celebrating her birthday with a big crowd and she wanted it to be a very special experience for her daughter. That’s why she personally coordinated everything, from the caterer, the event stylist, down to the party sets to be dis
Samantha took a deep breath as she boarded the private plane that will take her and the rest of her and Aaron’s family to Oregon.Kanina, habang naghahanda sila ni Charlie ng ilang gamit na dadalhin nilang mag-ina, hindi maampat-ampat ang luha niya.There were a lot of things that were going on in her mind. And not just simple things, but awful scenarios that kept sending her to the edge of worry and confusion. Kung hindi lang niya inisiip na baka maapektuhan sa pag-iiyak niya ang batang nasa sinapupunan niya, baka hindi pa rin maayos ang huwisyo niya ngayon.Honestly, she’s still not okay. She knew one small push and she’ll go back to crying once again. Why wouldn’t she? Aaron is missing—taken to some place she doesn’t know!Kung paano ito nakuha ng mga taong dumukot dito, hindi niya alam. One time he’s there with her and the next time he’s already taken away from her! At sobra siyang na