I WANT YOU (Chapter 6 and up)
Photos I used in this fic are not mine. Credit to the original owner
Chapter 6 - UNEXPECTED HELP
They were inside the car where Felip was now driving, going to the nearest hospital. He was on his phone, talking to his lawyer regarding what happened and he was instructed to undergo medico legal in the hospital both for Justin and Stell. After a few more instructions specifically what to do with Justin’s step father, Felip hang up the phone and look at the rearview mirror, checking Paulo and Justin at the back. He saw Paulo, sniffing, wiping his tears away from his cheeks with the back of his hand while carefully stroking the hair of Justin.
Justin’s breathing was shallow.
Felip glanced at Stell who remained quiet since they left the house and saw the bruises on his lips. There was also a red mark on his face, an indication that he was slapped hard by that man. He clenched his fist tightly when he was reminded of the scene they witnessed. That crazy man, holding Stell’s hair and was about to punch him in the face. He took a long deep breath to calm his nerves cos he almost wanted to go back and do unspeakable things to that old man.
He reaches out and grabs Stell’s left hand and squeezes it tightly. “Don’t worry, Justin will gonna make it.” He assured him.
Stell nods and squeezes back Felip’s hand. It gives him comfort knowing that they are not alone in this battle. He heard him talking to his lawyer and he can’t thank him enough for that. Stell shivers when he thought of what will happen to them if Ken and Pablo did not come to help them. A sober Mang Damian has the strength of a military man that he easily manhandled them.
They were assisted at once when they got to the Hospital’s emergency room where Felip’s lawyer already arranged for their arrival so the Nurses and Doctors are aware they were coming. They started working on Justin in one bed and Stell was put in another bed to check him as well. Paulo and Felip were in the triage where they were interviewed what happened and get personal information for the two patients.
After almost four hours in the Emergency room, Justin finally settled in one of the VIP rooms.
“Ahm, Ken, baka pwede tayong lumipat sa public. Hindi namin kaya ni Justin dito.” Stell approached the man who was waiting outside, sitting in one of the benches.
He left Stell and Paulo inside the room with Justin, cos he got an update from his lawyer and he didn’t want to worry them if something untoward things happened. Good thing Mang Damian is now in the custody of the police and Justin’s three siblings are now in the care of a social worker. His mom, according to his lawyer accompanied his husband to the precinct. He just finished the call when he heard Stell talking to him.
Felip looks at Stell’s face, there were traces of ointment to his wounds below his lower lip. Maga din ang mga mata nito kakaiyak simula nang dinala si Justin sa room. He wanted to get him a room as well but Stell insisted not to. He said he was feeling fine already. “Malayo sa bituka” Sabi nito. But Felip still requested for a major checkup including a CT scan, an x-ray, ultrasound and some laboratories just to make sure Stell was doing fine as what he insisted.
“No need to worry about that. Ako na ang bahala. If we will transfer Justin to another hospital, it will be in one of the best hospitals in town, hindi sa public. Pero so far mukhang okay naman dito. I can see how good their services here as well as their facilities. Dito, we are sure Justin will be properly taken care of.”
“Pero..”
“Tsktsktsk…matigas din pala talaga ulo mo no, Stell? Ayaw mo ba’ng gumaling si Justin?” he cut him.
“Teka, pano mo nalaman real name ko?” may panlalaking mata at pagdududang tinitigan niya si Felip.
“Tara na nga sa loob. I’ve something to tell you and Pau.” Iwas ang tingin sabay tayo para pumasok sa room ang naging sagot niya. This is not yet the right time para sabihin na pinaimbestigahan niya ito. Wala na din nagawa si Stell kundi sumunod pero andami pa din tanong sa kanyang isipan.
“Pau, nakausap ko si Atty. Marlone. Nasa presinto na si Mang Damian, buti at naabutan nila. Tinangka pa daw itakas ng mama ni Justin.”
Napasinghap si Stell sa narinig samantalang nag-igting ang mga bagang ni Paulo. Alam niya na walang pakialam ang mama ni Justin sa kanya pero hindi niya ineexpect na mas kakampihan pa nito ang demonyong asawa kesa sa panganay na anak matapos ang ginawa nito.
“The three kids, nasa DSWD na. Nag-iiyakan pero I was reassured na they are in good hands. Doon muna sila since hindi din papayag ang DSWD na hindi kamag-anak ang kumuha sa kanila. Nasubmit na din lahat ng documents na p’wede magamit against that crazy man.” Mahabang paliwanag niya. He tried to ask if the three kids can stay with him but hindi talaga pwede.
“Jah, narinig mo ‘yun? Nakakulong na ang demonyo mong tatay tatayan. Safe ka na mahal ko.” Mahinang bulong ni Paulo kay Justin, kaagad na hinawakan ang kamay nito at pinisil pisil.
Hanggang ngayon ay walang malay pa din si Justin. Lumabas ang result ng CT scan niya and there was nothing wrong with it according to the doctor although may nakitang bukol which indicate na tumama ang ulo niya sa matigas na bagay, but not enough to cause him comatose.
His X-ray scan confirmed that what happened today was not the first time that Justin was maltreated by his father. There were broken bones and some healed ones. It gave Stell a shock cos Justin never confided to him. He felt guilty na hindi man lang niya natulungan ang BFF niya. Kung alam lang niya na binubugbog pa din ito ng ama-amaan, hindi na sana aabot sa ganito. Buong akala niya ay natigil na ang pagmamaltratong ginagawa nito kay Justin.
“Pau, I think we need to talk.” Ken called out loud enough for Pau to hear. Gusto niya makausap in private ito. “Stell, kaya mo ba bantayan si Justin? Saglit lang kami.” paalam nito sa kanya.
Tumango lang si Stell at hinawakan ang kamay ni Pau. “Sige na, usap muna kayo. Don’t worry, walang mangyayari kay Justin. Hindi ko hahayaang may mangyari pa sa kanya.”
When the two left the room, Stell sat beside Justin and held his hand. Pinagmamasdan niya ang kaibigang ngayon ay nakaratay sa kama ng ospital. Ang mukha ay puno ng bandage. Kita din ang mga pasa at sugat sa mukha nito.
“Oh beshy, di ba sabi mo gusto mo humiga sa malambot na higaan? Tapos may aircon pa at may sariling banyo din katulad nung mga bahay na napapanood natin sa dramarama sa tv noon. Ayan, nakahiga ka na. Pero besh, bakit naman sa ospital pa.” may paghikbing usap niya sa kaibigan.
“Andami mong nilihim sa’kin. Alam mo bang nagtatampo ako sa’yo ngayon? Akala ko ba BFF tayo? Akala ko ba walang sikre-sikreto? Eh ano ‘yun sinabi nung doctor na may matatagal ka nang bali sa ribs mo? Inggit pa naman ako sa’yo kasi ang liit ng bewang mo, para kang si Marimar, yun pala gawa ng pambubugbog sayo ng gagong demonyong yun.” Gigil na sabi niya.
“Jahsteeennn..gigising ka ha. Ididilat mo yang mga mata mo. Alam ko masarap matulog dito pero wag mo naman samantalahin. Nakakahiya kaya kina Pablo at Ken. Sila daw magbabayad ng room mo. Alam ko ayaw na ayaw mo na may nanlilibre sa’yong ibang tao kaya pilitin mo gumising ha. Pilitin mo please. Justin! Gising ha!” Hindi na napigilan ni Stell na humagugol ng iyak. Mahal na mahal niya ang kaibigan. Never in his life na maisip niya na darating ang oras na may ganitong eksena na mangyayari sa kanila. Napaka unfair nga naman ng buhay.
“Mahal na mahal kita Jah.”
*************
Pagpasok ng dalawa sa room ay nakita nila na nakasubsob na si Stell sa tabi ni Justin, mahimbing na natutulog. It was already dark outside and they decided to stay for the rest of the night since may receiving area naman with long couch. May extra bed din para sa bantay ng pasyente. They also bought food since wala pang kumakain sa kanila since they’ve arrived in the hospital.
Felip approached Stell and would have awaken him up but he already stirred from his slumber when he felt someone entered the room. He thought it was a nurse to check on Justin but it was only Ken and Pablo.
“Stell, we bought food. Kumain ka muna then dun ka na matulog sa other bed.” Narinig niyang sabi ni Ken. He looked at Justin at nakapikit pa din ito. Hindi pa din nagigising.
“Ako na diyan, Stell. Kumain na muna kayo ni Sir Felip.” It was Pablo. Kahit papano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam niya knowing na may isang tao na nag-aalala sa kaibigan bukod sa kanya. The disappointment he felt when he woke up and saw the same sleeping Justin reduces with that thought.
He felt comforted. He thanked the heaven for bringing these two angels in their lives at the exact moment they needed help.
See? Sabi ko sayo mahal ka din niyan eh. So, hindi lang ako ang magiging dahilan mo para gumising, Jah. Andyan din si Pablo.
“C’mon let’s eat.” He felt Ken’s hand at the back of his arm, guiding him to the couch.
“Thank you so much sa food.” He prayed and started digging in. The moment the aroma of the food reached his nose, saka lang nakaramdam nang matinding gutom si Stell. Kaya walang patumpik tumpik na nginasab niya agad ang kanin at ulam sa harapan niya.
“Hey, dahan dahan. Baka sumakit ang tyan mo.” Natatawang saway sa kanya ni Ken.
“Eh skhashi nyamhan ghuthoomeh.”
“Hahaha, Wala akong naintindihan. Swallow first then talk.” Felip smiled at him.
Napalunok bigla si Stell while looking at Ken’s smiling face. First time niya nakita na ngumiti ito sa kanya at hindi niya inaasahan ang epekto nito sa sangkatauhan niya. Rold, ang pogi.
“Ang ingay.”
Napalingon sila sa pwesto ni Justin. Pilit na idinidilat ang mga mata at sinusubukang ngumiti sa kanila.
