Chapter 10

"Now, if you want to buy CebuPacific souvenir items, please just approach any of our flight crew." the voice merrily chirps. RJ sniffles as he opens his eyes. Red hues of sunset stream through his window. Inangat niya ang braso at tinignan ang kanyang orasan. Few minutes before twelve noon.

Must get this fixed when this is all over. Pero kailan?

He turns to see Cass' head nestled on his left shoulder. When will all these horrible dreams end?

Mahimbing ang tulog ni Cassandra sa balikat niya. Dinig niya pa ang mahinang paghilik ng dalaga. He tilts his head and sees a slim gold wedding band on her ring finger.

A sudden rush of happiness floods his system and he finds himself smiling.

So she said yes after all.

Hindi niya alam ang nangyari bago sila makarating sa panahong ito. Sa nakaraang panaginip niya ay kakahiwalay palang nila pero ngayon ay may wedding ring na sa daliri ng dalaga.

I'm her husband. bigla siyang napangiti. Shet nakakabakla yung kilig ko!

Tumitig siya kay Cass. It is the moment before he notices that her hair is thinner now and dry as hay. Her arms are frail, her wrist dotted with small red marks. Her face is pale, as if the lovely caramel color he has always loved gas washed away.

Is she sick? What happened?

Hinimas niya ang pisngi ni Cass habang nakahilig ito sa balikat niya. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng dalaga at tila gumuhit ng bilog sa likod ng palad nito.

Once again, he looks for the telltale silver bracelet. A crescent moon, the number 16, four hearts, and a snowflake.

His heart stops as his gaze falls on the newest charm. 

It is a small ribbon coated in light pink enamel, like those he sees in clinics, hospitals, and marathon events. Hinawakan niya ang ribbon at pinaka titigan.

Naramdaman niya ang paggalaw ni Cassandra. Umangat ang tingin nito sa kanya at tinitigan siya sa mata.

"Hon? You're worried again," she whispers and give him a faint smile. Her voice is weak and tired.

He continues to stare at the fragile ribbon charm, feeling his rage and helplessness rise.

"Thanks for being with me, hon," she continues. "I know you're so busy at work and I..."

"Shhh..." he hushed her. Hinalikan niya ang noo ng dalaga bago magsalita. "Don't say that, Cass." Even without all the facts, the dream now is painfully and brutally clear. "You're going to get better," he insists forcefully.

Lumapit sa kanila ang isang flight attendant.

I know her. She's MJ. The one that he met before... in his other dream.

"Uhm Heion, you want drinks? Cass?" halatang halata sa mukha at pati boses nito ang lungkot at pangamba.

"Hey, MJ! You okay?" pagkasabi ni Cass ay bigla nalang tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ni MJ.

Hinawakan ni Cass ang kamay nito at mahinang tumawa. "Anukaba! Bakit ka umiiyak? Hindi pa ako mamamatay."

Mas lalong umiyak si MJ at biglang yumakap kay Cass.

"Magpagaling ka, kay? Ililibre mo pa 'ko sa isang five star hotel!" tumango tango si Cass at hinaplos ang buhok niya.

Pagkalas sa yakap ay tinignan niya si Heion. "Hoy lalake! Alagaan mo 'to ah! Ayy naku talaga!"

Tumango si Heion at ngumiti sa kanya. Ngiting hirap paabutin sa mga mata.

"Kaya ng asawa ko 'yan. Sakit lang yan, si Mrs. Villaroel siya."

Naramdaman ni Heion ang paghigpit ng kapit ni Cass sa kamay niya.

"I'll get you drinks, kay?"

Nang makaalis si MJ ay biglang nagsalita si Cass.

"You know, maybe we should start accepting things as they are. Although," she adds wistfully. "I'd give everything for a little more time. Susubukan kong lumaban para sa'yo, para sa'kin at sa lahat ng tao na nagmamahal sa atin."

Niyakap niya ng mahigpit si Cass. Afraid of letting her go. He gulps and feels a hot tear slide down his cheek.

He is grateful that she does not see it.

Nanghihina ako.