good evening to everyoneeee! hakhak ewan ko, ang masasabi ko lang umiiyak ako habang sinusulat 'to, saksakin niyo na lang ako, chz. sana nag dinner na kayo hehe do take care of yourselves and enjoy, readers!

"Khit!"

The moment Cha saw me, niyakap niya ako kaagad. Kahit na gulat, I still hugged her back.

I forgot that Tricia is also here with us, pero ano naman?

Nag asawa nga siya, e. May sinabi ba ako?

Nang kumalas si Cha sa pagkakayakap sa akin ay nakatingin siya sa likod ko. I saw how shocked she is pero agad din siyang ngumiti.

"Doc Tricia? Tricia Robredo?"

Hindi agad nakasagot si Tricia kaya humarap ako sa kaniya at nagsalita.

"Mrs. Valdez, this is Doctora Charhy," pakilala ko at itinuro ang katabi ko. "Cha, Doctora Tricia,"

Tumingin sa akin si Cha nang marinig niya 'yong Mrs. Valdez and gave me a confused look.

"She's married," bulong ko.

I saw how her confused eyes turned into a worried one. I nodded and smiled at her.

Ibinalik niya ang tingin kay Tricia at inilahad ang kamay niya.

"Nice to finally meet you, Doc Valdez."

Sandaling tinitigan ni Tricia ang kamay ni Cha bago inabot iyon.

"Doc Tricia, you can call me that na lang." she answered.

"Alright, Doc Tricia then." Cha said and smiled.

Kahit sino talaga ang kausap niya, hindi nawawala 'yong ngiti niya.

"I heard a lot about you," Cha continued and looked at me for a split second. "Kumusta naman ang married life, Doc?"

Maging ako ay nagulat sa tanong ni Cha, I didn't expect that.

Tricia looked at me bago sumagot. "It's.. good. Okay naman,"

"That's good, I wish you both the best,"

Tricia tried to smile. "Salamat."

"By the way, akala ko ay hectic sched mo?" I asked Cha.

'Yong last usap namin sabi niya ay busy pa siya, tapos ngayon ay nandito na.

"Surprise!" she said. "Teh, hindi na 'yon surprise kung sinabi ko, diba?"

I smiled.

Hindi palasurprise na tao si Cha. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero hindi siya mahilig sa mga ganon. So what she did now for me really shocked me.

"Changed person, huh? Mahilig ka na rin sa surprises," asar ko.

"If for you, why not?"

I was about to answer when Tricia coughed. "I think I should go,"

"Yes, you should." sagot ko.

"Khit," saway ni Cha at tiningnan ako ng masama bago lumapit kay Tricia. "I'm gonna aya Khit to eat, gusto mo bang sumama?"

"Khit?" Tricia asked out of curiosity.

"Ah, yes that's my nickname for Arki," she explained. "Nasanay na ako tawagin siya by that,"

"But nasa office niya tayo, I think it's much better and as a respect na rin to call Y/N Arki or Architect," Tricia answered. "Right, Arki?"

I looked at her at tinaasan siya ng kilay. "It's all goods, Cha is not here for work," sagot ko. "Unlike you, na hindi naman dapat ikaw ang gumagawa,"

"I already told you the reason, Architect."

"Well, your reason is not valid enough for me,"

"Architec—"

"It's my break now, I'm not accepting any work related topics," putol ko sa kaniya. "It's breakfast time with Cha,"

Kinurot ako ni Cha bago tiningnan si Tricia. "Are you not gonna come with us?"

Agad na umiling si Tricia. "Kayo na lang,"

"Let's go, Cha. 'Wag natin pilitin 'yong ayaw," I said at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto. "Shall we, Doc?"

Nagpaalam siya kay Tricia bago tuluyang nauna palabas. When I was about to close the door, Tricia talked.

"Enjoy."

That sounds.. bitter.

I smirked.

"Go home, baka hinihintay ka na ng asawa mo."

After that, I finally closed the door at sinundan si Cha sa paglalakad.

Halos lahat ng staffs ay bumabati sa kaniya, at lahat ay binabati niya pabalik. 'Yong iba ay nakakayakapan pa niya. Cha is very friendly, yet very mahiyain. Pero once na maging kaclose mo, matutuwa ka talaga sa personality na meron siya.

Nilingon niya ako at nginitian, mukhang natutuwa siya dahil very welcome siya rito. She signaled me to come beside her and I did.

"Girlfriend ba 'yon ni Arki?"

"Hala, beh ang ganda!"

"Ang pretty!"

Nakita ko kung paanong binatukan nung isang staff 'yong isa pa. "Oo, pretty pero hindi ba't team Doc T tayo, gaga!"

"Bawal ba mag palit ng bias?"

"Bawal, beh. Panindigan mo 'yan,"

"Awts, sana all pinaninindigan!"

Nang makasakay kami sa elevator ay natahimik kami pareho hanggang sa sikuhin niya ako.

"You're so rude, ha."

"What? Kanino?"

"Kay Doc Tricia," sagot niya.

"Cha, she's the one na sumulpot kahit hindi siya ang kailangan ko,"

"Still, you should've talked to her in a nice way," sermon niya. "Doc Tricia is still a Doctor na deserve ng respeto ng kahit sino, despite of what she did na mali, so be a little bit nice, hmm?"

Hindi ako sumagot.

"Come on, don't be mad," she said and rubbed my shoulders. "Hindi sa kinakampihan ko si Doc Tricia, I do understand you also, pero paano naman siya? Let's understand her side also and don't let your personal issues with her affect your work," dagdag niya. "What she's doing is for her.. husband. Hindi ba't ganoon din ang gagawin mo kung ikaw ang nasa posisyon niya?"

I sighed. She's so galing mag explain, talo na naman ako nito.

"Fine," I said. "Kailan ba ako mananalo sayo?"

"Never," asar niya at binelatan ako.

"What a kid,"

"Cute kid kamo,"

"Sige, hindi na lang kid."

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin at tinawanan ko lang siya. Nang makababa ng building ay dumiretso kami sa kainan malapit lang din dito dahil gutom na raw siya.

"Wala ka bang dalang sasakyan papunta rito? Nag commute ka?" tanong ko dahil napansin kong wala siyang dalang kotse.

"Uhuh! Sanay naman ako mag commute, unlike you," asar niya. I rolled my eyes. "Pero mahal na rin kasi gas, no. Okay na 'yong commute,"

"Sus, sa yaman mo na 'yan,"

"Beh, ikaw 'yon mayaman,"

"Sige, beh sabi mo e."

"Okay, beh!" ganti niya.

Natawa kami pareho dahil sa kagagahan namin. Cha is very jolly at marunong makisakay sa trip. Sobrang simple niya rin na tao.

Naalala ko noon, siya pa ang nagpilit sa akin na kumain ng isaw dahil favorite niya 'yon at hindi naman ako kumakain non. Pero dahil nag promise ako sa kaniya, kumain pa rin ako for her.

Sobrang bigat ng salitang promise para sa akin, napakahalaga sakin na magawa ko kung ano man 'yong prinomise ko sa isang tao, maliit man o malaking bagay 'yon.

Because my Ate promised me something. And until now, I can't forget that night.

(accident night)

"A-Ate," I tried my best to shout.

I feel so weak.

Kahit na sobrang nanghihina at hindi makahinga, I tried to stand up para hanapin si Ate.

When I opened the door of her room, wala siya ron. Dahan dahan akong bumaba, sobra na ang paninikip ng dibdib ko at nagsisimula na akong mahilo.

"Inay!" sigaw ko.

Bago ako tuluyang makatapak sa huling step ng hagdan ay nanlabo ang paningin ko at nahulog.

"Kuya Arnold! Kuya!" I heard someone shouting. "Kuya! Tulong po!"

When I opened my eyes, I saw Ate beside me, crying.

"Y/N, hey hold on, okay?" she said.

Naramdaman kong kumirot ang likod ng ulo ko at nang hawakan ko iyon ay nagulat ako nang makitang may dugo sa kamay ko na siyang inihawak ko ron.

"A-Ate,"

"Shh, shh," aniya at pinunasan ang luha. "You'll be f-fine, hmm?" she said. "Kuya! Please!"

Ate kept on shouting pero walang dumadating.

She held my hand at pinisil iyon.

"I'm okay, shh.. don't cry," I assured her kahit ang sakit sakit na.

Inalis niya 'yong jacket niya at inilagay 'yon sa ulalim ng ulo ko. Putting pressure over the wound.

"Can you stand up?" she asked. "Aalalayan kita,"

"I.. can't," nanghihinang sagot ko.

"Please, y-you need to stand up. Dadalhin kita sa ospital, walang dumadating na tulong," she said. "Delikado, kanina pa nagdudugo 'yang ulo mo,"

I slowly nodded at dahan dahan niya akong itinayo. Mas lalong sumakit ang lahat ng parte ng katawan ko, but I tried to stay strong.

I need to be okay for my Ate.

"Are you okay?" she asked while still crying. Ate is a mess right now. "Let's walk, ha?"

I nodded and smiled at her.

Nang makarating kami sa sasakyan ay agad niya akong isinakay sa likod at dali dali siyang sumakay sa harap.

Kahit na hirap na hirap na ako, I saw how Ate struggled to remain calm. I tried to reach her shoulders and gently rubbed it.

"Drive.. safe."

She nodded at nagsimulang paandarin ang sasakyan. Ate tried to drive nang mabilis para makarating agad sa ospital.

Dahil sa bawat pagtagal ng byahe, mas lalo kong nararamdaman ang panghihina. Pakiramdam ko ay maya maya, bibigay na ang katawan ko.

Tuwing titingin si Ate sa salamin sa harap para tingnan ako, I always try to smile at her.

Ate wants to see me smiling palagi, and I love her smile also pero mula pa kanina ay hindi ko pa siya nakikitang ngumiti.

The traffic light went red at napahampas si Ate sa manibela ng sasakyan. Nilingon niya ako at hinaplos ang hita ko.

"Hold on, okay? M-Malapit na tayo, Y/N please," she begged. "Hold on f-for.. Ate, ha?"

I smiled at her and nodded.

Kahit na gustong gusto kong sabihin na..

Ayoko na.

Ang sakit sakit na.

Gusto ko nang bumitaw.

I closed my eyes and when I opened it again, saktong nag green na 'yong light.

But when Ate started to drive again dahil sa pagmamadali, hindi niya napansin na may isa pang sasakyan galing sa kabila na humabol sa red light kahit alam niyang green na.

The other car crashed into our car.

"A-Ate? Ate?" the moment I regained my consciousness, si Ate ang una kong hinanap.

I tried moving my legs pero nakita kong naipit 'yon. I can't move so I tried na ilibot ang paningin ko.

At nang magawi ang tingin ko sa upuan ng driver, I saw my Ate, unconscious.

"Ate? Ate!" I shouted.

I tried reaching her pero hindi ko siya maabot. I tried to sit down kahit na hilong hilo at sobrang sakit na ng ulo ko.

I tried to remove the thing na umiipit sa legs ko. Nang galawin ko 'yon, naramdaman ko ang sakit.

"Ah!" sigaw ko.

Kahit na masakit, itinuloy ko pa rin ang pagalis. Napasigaw ako sa sakit nang tuluyan kong maalis 'yon.

Agad akong lumapit kay Ate. Nakasubsob ang ulo niya sa manibela at ang daming dugo.

"Ate, Ate wake up," I gently tapped her cheeks. "Ate, p-please."

But still, I received nothing.

I started crying.

Pinilit kong alisin lahat ng nakaharang sa harap ko na humahadlang para makalapit ako nang tuluyan kay Ate.

And there, I saw something.

Something is stuck sa right chest niya.

"Fuck," I whispered. "H-Help!" I tried shouting.

"Tulong, p-pleas—"

Napatigil ako nang maramdaman kong gumalaw ang kamay ni Ate.

I quickly looked at her and held her hand.

"A-Ate,"

"A-Ang.. s-sakit," hirap na hirap na bigkas niya.

"Shh," saway ko. "Huwag ka nang magsalita, please. Save your energy,"

"M-Masakit,"

"Ate, please!" saway ko dahil patuloy pa rin siya sa pag sasalita. "Tulong! Putangina, tulong!"

Patuloy ako sa pagsigaw pero parang walang nakakarinig sa akin dahil na rin nanghihina ang boses ko.

"S-Stop, Y/N," pigil ni Ate sa akin.

"What are you saying?" tanong ko.

"Masakit na," aniya at pinisil ang kamay ko. "Tama na,"

"N-No.. Ate, no please," I begged and kissed her hand.

"C-Continue chasing your dreams.." she stopped at napapikit.

"Shh,"

"Even with out your ate, even with out me, Y/N."

"No.. y-you said gagawan kita ng bahay, diba? D-diba, Ate? You should wait for it to happen,"

She slowly nodded. "I.. can't wait for that anymore,"

"Don't say that, please. Kapit lang, Ate. Wait lang tayo, dadating 'yong tulong,"

"I'm t-tired of w-waiting," she said and coughed.

Nagulat kami pareho nang may lumabas na dugo galing doon.

"Shh, please 'wag ka na magsalita,"

"P-Promise me something," she said.

I hummed as an answer and kissed her hand again while crying.

She gulped. "Keep on f-fighting, huh?" aniya. Mas lalo kong hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay niya. "Ate is a-always proud of his b-baby,"

I quickly nodded. "Then promise me one thing also,"

She closed her eyes.

"Huwag kang bibitaw, ha? Huwag mo akong bibitawan, Ate."

"Kakapit ako hanggang.. hanggang kaya ko,"

"Promise?"

"P-Promise."

We did the pinky promise kahit na puno na ng dugo ang mga kamay namin at nanghihina.

"Can I close my eyes while waiting? I-I'm tired." she requested.

I nodded. I kissed her forehead.

A tear escaped her eyes.

But this time, she smiled before closing her eyes.

After few minutes of waiting, I saw some light from the outside.

Napangiti ako at tiningnan si Ate.

"Ate, come on, help is here," I said and rubbed her hand na kahit isang segundo ko ay hindi ko binitawan. "Ate, open your eyes na,"

But still, she did nothing.

"Ate?" I tried calling her again.

I started shaking, at doon ko naramdaman ang kamay niya. Nanlalamig na ito.

"A-Ate? Don't joke around, p-please," I begged pero kahit anong gising ang gawin ko, hindi siya sumasagot.

And there I realized, my Ate is gone.

I slowly leaned towards her while crying and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, for fighting until the end,"

She promised to hold on and never let go of me hanggang sa kaya niya.

And she did it.

Hanggang sa huli, hindi niya ako binitawan.

She held my hand until her last breath.

"Till we meet again, Ate."

And there, at that moment..

I lost my sister.

And the little baby boy inside her womb lost his mother.