Ken's POV
"What is it? Don't be like that, you're giving me goosebumps." Jeni stammered.
"But I doubt it, 'cause it's so complicated for me. Could we make it?" I answered.
"We? Are we involve on your plan?" Tanong ni Jeni, confused.
"Oo, actually."
"What is it?" They all asked.
"It was what my brain suggests. I must pretend that I don't know Chan or any of you, amnesia most likely." I answered, doubting that idea.
I know they will disagree with this.
"What did you say, Ken?" My father asked, my mother was stiff at the door. "Have I heard you right, baby?" Mom finally said.
Dad pulled my mother gently and they sat besides Aurisse and Rei.
Even Rei was shocked, based on his face. Is this really stupid? Should I stop this nonsense?
"Ayokong tumigil ang mundo ng boyfriend ko dahil sa akin. Ayoko makita siyang umiiyak, gaya rin sa inyo. Can you guys hide me?" It really does sound stupid but I didn't expect what they're about to say.
"We understand. We must give Ken empathy. As my daughter, I support you. Do you guys?"
Am I selfish? If I only think of my boyfriend's sake.
They all agreed and I told them what to do.
***
Hanggang ngayon ay pinag-iisipan ko pa rin ito. Tinatanggal-an ko ba ng karapatan si Chandler?
He had waited for me patiently then this is what he'll see when he comes?
Naguguluhan na ako.
Buti na lang ay umuwi na sina Aurisse habang si Jeni ay bumalik na sa duty niya. "Thaddeus said that he'll support you, even if he doesn't like Chan, he feels bad for him. But us, whatever you want to do, your Dad and I will support you." Mommy said.
"Sa tingin niyo po ba tama ito?"
"No. But I understand that you are just thinking of Chandler. You don't want him to get stuck in this problem. I know if he would know, kagaya namin, iiyak 'yun nang iiyak. Honestly, hindi pabor Dad mo pero pinaliwanag ko sa kaniya. He said he saw Chandler's eagerness. In the end, he agreed."
"I don't know what to say."
"We are so grateful that you are awake now. I thought we're losing you."
"You're about to. I have only five months to live."
"Don't talk like that, we are still grateful that we can be with you for the remaining time. Yeah, it's hard but we'll make every moments count. We love you, baby."
Mom's phone rang and she excused herself.
Is this gonna be worth it? Is this plan okay? I'm not really sure but I will risk everything for my boyfriend. When I die, it would not be so hard for him, 'cause when that day came, he's already tired of insisting himself to me.
Okay, I am ready to risk my feelings and happiness away. I am sure.
Mom came back and said something unexpected, "Chandler is okay now. He's coming here. Oh I didn't tell him that you were awake, just give advice to find out himself."
"It's okay Mom. I want to see the excitement in his eyes when he finds out." But eventually, you will remove that excitement.
***
Chandler's POV
So happy that I am fine now. Nakakainis naman si Chandria, pwede naman sana ako sa hospital magpagaling 'e pero tama rin naman, baka mas lumala kasi kalat sakit sa hospital 'e.
I hope that I can see for myself when Ken does wake up. Oh, wait. Shall I call Tita?
I reached for my phone on the counter and dialed Tita's number. On the fifth ring, Tita answered the call. "Hi Tita." I started.
["Hello, Chandler. Are you still sick? Hope you recover fastly."]
"I am fine now, Tita. I called because I am going there today. How's Ken po, Tita?"
["... Find out yourself. Goodbye."] Then, the call ended.
What? Find out myself? What is that supposed to mean? Should I be excited or nervous?
Buti na lang ay tapos na ako magbihis kaya kinuha ko na lamang ang susi sa table ko at tumakbo kay Dad. "Dad! Do you want to come? I think Ken is awake now. I really hope."
"Talaga? Sige, I'll follow. If that's true, it is really a good news. Faster!" I can see at Dad's face that he's really happy. Who would not, right?
I have a strong feeling that she's awake. Like we're connected inside. Of course, she's my future wife.
Does my friends know this already?
***
I was from our house, the original home since I was a child, so it's kinda far from the hospital, but I drive at full speed.
I can't explain it, but I feel mix of emotions: Nervous that her coma will be longer, and happy because she may be awake by now, or just getting better. I like the third idea, I want to be the first one to see her consciousness.
After approximately half an hour, I arrived. I immediately parked my, unluckily, underground because the slots up there was already occupied. It is a bit annoying 'cause it has cause me more time before going in. I already miss my baby. I want to hug and kiss my girl.
I smiled when her image flashed in my mind. I miss my beautiful girlfriend.
While walking, I notice the nurses whispering to each other while looking at me. I looked back at them, they will stop looking. Why? What does that suppose to mean?
Near the corridor towards Ken's room. Another set of nurses are whispering. No, Chan. Don't mind them.
I can now see the window from Ken's room, it is open and the view outside is beautiful. Ten steps away, a doctor looks sad while looking at me.
No, that is not it. My girlfriend is still alive. I stopped. My chest has tightened. I am chasing my breath now.
Fear grows in me. Am I ready? But I had decided to take steps little by little. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
Then, I saw her. She sits on the bed, looking at the window. I can't believe it, so I called out, "Ken? A-are you really awake?"
She then looked back, her words could not sink in to me, "Who are you?"