35. Brotherly kiss.

Lara didn’t die.

Hindi niya alam kung magiging thankful ba siya o ano. Because one moment when she thought she was already catching her breath, she was already prepared to see Lena again. But then she heard Miguel’s voice, pulling her back to her senses.

Stay with me, he said.

After more or less twenty-four hours, Lara woke up from her sleep in a hospital. Si Auntie Rosette ang una niyang nakita na mangiyak-ngiyak pang nagkamalay na siya. Tumawag ito ng Doktor na agad din naman siyang tiningnan.

“Tinakot mo kaming lahat,” sabi nito pagkaraan.

“Natakot din po ako,” amin niya. Totoo naman ‘yon, she really thought she wouldn’t make it alive. “Is my wound that bad?” tanong niyang napatingin sa nakabalot at naka-immobilizer na braso.

“Nag-undergo ka ng surgery. Mabuti at naagapan pang hindi mauwi sa amputation ang braso mo. Maliban sa muntik na ng mawala sanhi ng blood loss, maayos na ang lagay mo ngayon," tugon ni Auntie Rosette na humihikbi.

"'Wag na po kayong umiyak. Heto nga at bu