1 Start of a Wish

I opened my eyes with a heavy feeling. Today is another day to hope -- to hope for the best... Despite the heavy feeling, I whispered a short prayer to God. Siya lang talaga ang pinanghahawakan ko.

Tears formed in my eyes and I blink rapidly to stop them from falling. Ano ba 'yan. Ang aga-aga ng mga luha ko, ha!

I massaged my head. Feeling ko, kulang pa rin ako sa tulog. Napa-buntong-hininga ako at tumitig sa kawalan. It's been weeks -- weeks of acting strong even if I am really breaking inside... Hindi ako pwedeng maging mahina. I need to be strong for him, for the love of my life. My Anton.

Simula nang makilala ko siya, he's been the source of my strength and the reason of my smiles. Kaya ngayon, ako naman. Ako naman ang magiging matatag para sa kaniya. Kaya namin 'to!

Nahagip ng aking paningin ang litrato naming dalawa na nakapatong sa aking bedside table. I reached for it and smiled as I remembered the day kung kailan nangyari ang nasa litrato. With his arms wrapped around me and with big smiles plastered on our faces, we were indeed... happy.

I caressed the picture ever so gently. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagpatak ng mga luha ko. I missed him so bad.

Please come back to me. I need you. Wake up, baby. I'm just here waiting... I whispered and hoped that the wind will send my message to him.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko nang bigla itong tumunog, hudyat na may tumatawag. Kinuha ko ito at nakita ang pangalan ni Zandro. He is Anton's best friend.

With a deep sigh, I answered his call. "Hello?"

"Danielle!" his voice full of excitement. "You have to come here!"

Napatuwid ako ng upo. "Why? What happened to Anton? How is he?" nag-pa-panic kong tanong.

"He's awake, Danny! He's awake!"

Pakiramdam ko ay nabingi ako sa narinig. It took a while bago mag-process sa utak ko.

He's awake... Finally... my Anton is awake...

•••

"Danny!" agad akong nilapitan ni Zandro pagkatapos niya akong makita.

My whole body is trembling because of mixed emotions. "H-How is he? I... I need to see him..."

His expression changed and it made me feel scared. "I'm not sure about his condition right now... The doctor said about forgotten memories or something."

My heart began to be filled with fear... Pero hindi dapat ako magpadala o magpapigil sa takot. Mas kailangan niya ako.

I move towards the door of Anton's room. With a trembling hand, I hold the doorknob.

"Are you sure about this, Danielle?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Zandro.

"This is what I prayed for, Zandro. At wala akong iba pang gugustuhin kung hindi ang makita siya na gising." matigas kong sagot.

I slowly opened the door. Agad kong namataan si Anton na nakaupo sa hospital bed. His face remains blank habang kinakausap s'ya ng doctor.

Agad napunta sa 'kin ang kanyang tingin. I want to smile at him. I want to hold his hand and hug him. I expect him to give me that loving smile of his. I expect him to open his arms for me, to hug me tightly... But that didn't happen. Instead, he just stared at me with no recognition in his eyes. He took a deep sigh and look away.

And I thought that I'm already prepared for what's going to happen pero hindi ko akalain na unang pangungusap pa lang niya ay tila sinaksak na ako sa sakit.

"Here comes another stranger." he said coldly without even looking at me.