Chapter 03

Chandler's POV

Weeks have passed and Ken, she's still unconscious. Hindi pa siya nagigising ni gumagalaw.

I miss her so much.

I want to tell her everything.

I want to apologize.

While walking on the hallway, napatingin ako sa dala-dala kong merch ng mga crush niyang actors at mga pagkain.

I used to be jealous of them but now, I want her to see their pictures when she wakes up. I am willing to do everything for her. Kaya ko magselos para sa ikakasaya niya. Ganun din naman siya dati sa akin. Nagseselos at nasasaktan na siya pero dahil tanga akong nagpapakasaya sa Ianne na 'yun, hindi ko namalayan 'yun. Sobrang nasasaktan ko na pala si Ken.

Okay, she admitted that she has feelings for me, in front of our classmates, but I rejected her in public. Yet she didn't go away, naging kaibigan pa rin ako sa kaniya. She's so kind and long-tempered.

So now, kakayanin ko lahat ng ito. It's my karma. Gagawin ko at tatanggapin ang lahat, huwag lang siya mawala sa piling ko.

Pagkatapat ko sa room niya ay nadatnan ko sina Tita at Tito. They welcomed me by hugging me.

"Good afternoon, Tita, Tito." Nagmano rin ako sa kanila.

"God bless you, Hijo. You want to talk with her? We know you miss her so much as we do." Tito asked.

"Thanks, Tito."

"We'll be back, Chan." Tita said.

"Thanks, Tita."

Nakakahiya man ay tumango ako, lagi silang naalis kapag dumarating ako. Gusto nilang makapag-bonding din kami ni Ken. I love her family, everything about her because they love me as well.

They closed the door. I sat down to her side, held her hand and kissed it. Binaba ko muna ang mga dala ko sa bed table at tinitigan siya.

"Good afternoon, my star. Do I sound corny, my love? Having so many endearment? Sorry, baby haha.''

"...I just miss our talks, everyday and every night. Ofcourse, your hazel brown eyes, too. I miss everything about you. Do you miss me too?" I asked, hoping she will answer me.

"I know you do, babe. Kinikilig naman ako." I chuckled. Alam kong naririnig ako ni Ken. Siguro natutuwa na siya sa mga pinagsasabi ko.

"By the way, I brought you something. Your faves: carbonara, chicken macaroni salad, fries, cheeseburgers, roasted chicken and of course, I brought your Zac Efron, Logan Lerman, Tom Holland, Lee Dong Wook, Mena Massoud, Park Bo Gum and Song Joong Ki merch. Posters, bookmarks, and pictures. And they are all signed. Sayo na ito lahat, kahit nagseselos ako sa kanila HAHA. I promise, pupunta tayo sa fanmeeting and concerts nila, goals natin 'yun diba?"

I feel slightly sorry about it, actually. Because, dati dumating si Lee Dong Wook dito pero hindi ko siya sinamahan. So I will promise now na lagi ko na rin siyang yayayain at sasamahan sa lahat. Kahit sa mga cinemas, kahit pambabae, kahit Disney pa 'yan, okay lang.

Those are her favorites, and will be my favorites as well.

"I really miss you, my sleeping beauty. Kailan ka ba gigising?"

"Why are you asking Ken to wake up when you are the reason why she's comatose in the first place?" Jeni said behind me. I turned, she's at the doorway with Aurisse (that feels uncomfortable with the attitude of Jeni)

"Please stop blaming him, Jeni." Aurisse said.

"Good afternoon, Jeni and Aurisse."

"Don't call me Jeni, Yejenia's my name." Jeni, er-- Yejenia stated.

"YEJENIA!" Aurisse yelled.

"What? You're on his side?"

"Ofcourse not. I'm with Ken, but please stop, do you think she wants you to blame his boyfriend in front of her? You know Ken, you know she loves him very much."

"I know that, of course. But I doubt if he does. I doubt it at very first."

"Stop that, please be considerate, just for Ken, okay?"

"Okay, but--"

"For Ken!"

"Okay, fine! Stop shouting! You are making people turn their heads at us."

"Good afternoon, Chan." Aurisse greeted.

"... afternoon." Greeted Yejenia.

"Weeks have passed right? I wish what I thought was wrong." -Aurisse.

"What?"

"Euthanasia. But anyway, that won't happen to our Ken."

"Whatever that is, we won't let that happen."

"We? You made that incident happen nga e." Yejenia interfered.

"Please, Jeni? Or else I will push you out of here."

"Grr! I was so mad at him!"

"Then don't mind him, mind Ken. Be matured enough."

"Sorry na. Ken, we miss you. We barely visit 'cause we're so busy in the hospital. But always remember that we love you." Yejenia said to Ken. And they sat beside Ken, at the other side.

In-open ko ang drawer at kinuha ang maliit na box, naglalaman ito ng singsing. Naalala kong mag-po-propose na dapat ako kay Ken, I know we're ready. But because of that stupidity, I failed as her man. I'm her man, it is my duty to protect her. And ofcourse, not let her be hurt. But I failed.

Tears, again, trickled down my face. Then I spoke, "We were almost there. Kasal na siguro kami kundi dahil sa katangahan ko." I wiped away the tears on my face with the back of my hand.

Aurisse answered, "We can't undo anything from the past now, Chandler Emerson. Let's just be thankful because pains are there to be a hindrance and without those, we won't have satisfaction and happiness."

"What an intelligent being you are, Aurisse." Someone said. And we all turned and saw Ken's parents.

"Tito!" Sabay na masayang bati ng dalawa at tumakbo para yumakap sa kanila.

"Oh, you two! These successful girls are here, darling." Saad ni Tita. Nakita ko ulit silang ngumiti.

"We miss you, Tita, Tito."

"We miss you, too!"

Binalik ko ang singsing sa drawer at napansin ang mga pagkain. Naisip kong kuhanin ang folding table sa gilid at idinikit ang mga upuan sa paligid nito. Inihanda ko ang pagkain at tinawag sila.

"Yejenia, Hija. Wala nang sisihan muna ah? You shall forgive and forget." Tito said.

"Yes, Tito, sorry. Tara po? Daming pagkain."

"Foods! These are our favorites! Pareho-pareho lang kami nila Ken 'e. Thanks, Chandler." Aurisse happily commented.

Umupo sila. "Chandler, Hijo. Please lead the prayer." Tito commanded.

"My honor."

Then, I prayed for strength, gratitude and appreciation for the food.

I also pray for faster recovery of my queen: Ken. Thank you, Lord.