It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve 2
After the song ended, Richard found himself humming it while caressing his wife’s face, her hands, her hair. He badly wanted her to react to his touches but she remained unresponsive.
Finally exhaustion caught up with him and he fell asleep only to be awaken after about two hours by the tiny fingers of his son poking his cheeks.
“Sky nagising na tuloy si daddy mo. Pagod yan. Let him sleep apo.”
But Richard already woke up.
“Okay lang po Nay. Kailangan ko na ring gumising. Umaga na pala.”
“Richard mukhang wala ka na namang tulog nyan anak. Pahinga ka na muna. Isasama ko na lang si Sky sa chapel dyan sa baba kasi magsisimba muna ako.”
“Wag na po nay. Dito na lang si Sky. Maglilikot eto dun. Okay na po ako. Ill just take a quick shower. Kaya pa po ba maghintay ng mga 10 minutes or maguumpisa na po yun mass?”
“Hindi pa. 30 minutes pa bago yun mass. Sige na anak, maligo at bihis ka na muna.”
Then Richard proceeded to take a shower and get ready for the day. It was his son Sky’s birthday too.
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“Daddy Sky’s playmates will be here?” his 3 year old son looked excited.
“No Sky. You and your playmates will have your birthday party at home tomorrow. Now with daddy and mommy ka muna. New year kasi and your friends needs to be with their mommies and daddies muna. Later we will have our small celebration here. Lola Nanay will buy a cake and also balloons. You want that little buddy?”
“Yes daddy. Sky wants balloons. Sky wants big cake and cupcakes too. We will have those daddy.”
“Yes little buddy.”
While Ricky was with Sky, who was drinking his milk on the spare bed…
“Nasaan ako? Anong ginagawa ko dito?”
Richard stood frozen upon hearing the voice he missed so much. It took him awhile before he recovered and slowly faced his wife.
“Sweetheart…”
“Richard anong ginagawa ko dito at bakit nandito ka?” an agitated Maya was angrily staring at him.
“Maya, finally gising ka na…”
“Umalis ka Richard! Ayaw kitang makita. Umalis ka dito.” She was hysterical now.
“Maya please calm down.”
“Gusto ko si Nanay. Lumabas ka na Richard please…”
With Maya shouting, Sky suddenly sat on his bed. The little boy was suddenly surprised to see his mommy shouting. It was his first time to see his mommy awake.
Richard was trying to calm Maya by hugging her but she was pushing him.
“Daddy?” Sky who saw what was happening got worried to see what his mommy is doing to his daddy.
“At sino yan? Anak mo? Anak nyo ng Alexandra na yun. Kaya pala…” Then she sobbed openly and was inconsolable. She was shaking that Ricky got worried so called for the attending nurses and doctors.
“Umalis ka Richard. Ayaw kitang makita. Please, umalis na kayo ng anak mo.”
“Maya… but Sky is our son.”
“Umalis ka na please. Hinding hindi na ako maniniwala sayo.”
The doctor who was attending to Maya advised him to just leave the room so as not to further agitate his wife.
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Nanay Teresita arrived at the hospital to find Richard at the bench outside Maya’s room.
His eyes were puffy and red. Sky was lying down with the boy’s head on his daddy’s lap.
Teresita got worried.
“Richard anong nangyari? Bakit mugto and mata mo? Si Maya? Anong nangyari kay Maya?” She was near crying too.
“Gising na po si Maya Nay.”
“Ha? Diyos ko! Salamat na man.”her tears now flowed. “Eh bakit nandito kayo ni Sky? Dun na tayo sa loob.”
“Kayo na muna po Nay. Susunod na lang kami.”
“Naku hindi pwede. Samahan mo ako sa loob.”
“Her doctors and nurses are inside. Pinaalis nya po ako. ” he said while his voice was choking and he was trying his best to hold back his tears.
“Ano? Bakit?”
“Sige na po Nay. Maya needs you inside.”
“Hindi maaaring ako lang. Ikaw ang asawa. Dapat nandun ka.”
“Baka po makasama sa kanya pag nandun ako.”
A puzzled Teresita couldn’t understand.
Richard added. “Galit po siya sakin Nay.”
Teresita rushed to enter her daughter’s room leaving Richard who was now unable to control his sobs.
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He was shaking as he was trying so hard to contain himself so as not to scare his Son.
But the boy who was still lying on his lap while drinking his bottle of milk, reached for his daddy’s cheeks with his tiny fingers trying to wipe the tears that was flowing.
“Daddy sad?”
“No Sky. Daddy is very happy that Mommy is awake.”
“Mommy angry at Sky Daddy? Mommy dont want to see Sky? Sky a bad boy Daddy?”
Alarmed at what he heard his son thinks, Richard tried to explain to his son in a way that his young mind would understand. “No! Of course not! Liittle Buddy Mommy is not angry. Mommy loves you. ” He hugged their son very tight.
His son added. “But you said Mommy is galit to at Daddy.
“No Sky. Mommy is just confused because she was sleeping for a long time. Mommy needs to meet Sky first, jut like when you met your playmate, Sunshine remember? She doesn’t know you yet but when Mommy finds out how good and loving you are, of course Mommy will want you to be with her.”
“And also gwapo daddy, like you.”
That made Ricky smile and momentarily forget the hurt he felt when Maya asked him and their son out of her room. “Yes little buddy you are gwapo like daddy.”
Then the boy’s worried face now lit up, was relieved. “Mommy will like Sky too Daddy?”
“Yes Sky. Mommy will.” He then hugged his son very tight.
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“Maya…” Nanay Teresita hurriedly hugged her daughter. She was crying as she was so overwhelmed that her daughter is finally awake.
The doctors and nurses left the room to give the family some privacy. Medication was already given to calm her.
“Nay… bakit po ako nandito? Wala na yun baby ko? Namatay yun baby ko. Dahil kay Richard nawala yun baby namin.” then she was quietly sobbing again.
“Anak anong pinagsasabi mo? Buhay ang baby nyo.”
“Wag nyo na pong pagtakpan si Richard Nay. Wag nyo na pong itago sakin. Kung nag-aalala kayo na makakasama sa akin yun katotohanan, alam ko na rin naman. At hinding hindi ko sya mapapatawad.”
“Maya.. mukhang nalilito ka pa sa mga pangyayari. Magpahinga ka na muna.”
“Gusto ko nang umuwi sa San Nicolas Nay. Makikipaghiwalay na ako kay Richard. Dun na lang ako sa atin.”
“Maya. Makinig ka sa akin anak. Tumingin ka sa mata ko. Hinding hindi nagsinungaling si Nanay kahit kelan. Alam mo yan Maya.”
“Nay… ”
“Makinig ka Maya. Makinig ka muna kay Nanay.”
“Nay.”
“Hindi nawala ang anak nyo ni Richard. Yun bibo, makulit at cute na batang kasama nya, siya yung anak nyo. Siya si Sky. Actually birthday nya ngayon Maya. Isinilang mo yun bata ng kulang sa buwan ng ikaw ay naaksidente. Pagkatapos mo siyang ipanganak, naging comatose ka at natulog ka ng tatlong taon.”
She just stared at her mother with disbelief on her face.
“Nasa sa’yo yan kung hindi ka naniniwala. Pero ang masasabi ko lang, kung ako sa’yo hinding hindi ko pagdududahan ang pagmamahal ng asawa mo.”
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After a few hours, Maya finally called for Richard and Sky. Her Nanay Teresita was finally able to make her understand some of the events that happened for the past three years. Though she was still confused, she decided it’s best to talk to Richard and also meet her son.
She was also nervous to meet their son. She felt guilty for how she acted earlier.
Nanay Teresita was holding her apo’s hand while Richard quietly stood behind them. He wanted to hug his wife badly but he isn’t sure now if Maya would even want him near her.
“Sky? Come give mommy a hug. ”
The boy’s face lit up upon hearing his name. He automatically directed his gaze at his daddy.
“Daddy mommy knows Sky. Mommy called Sky.” The boy was smiling brightly as if so happy to hear his name uttered by his mom.
Ricky’s eyes automatically brimmed with tears. He could not contain the emotion he is feeling. “Yes Sky. Mommy can say your name because Mommy is awake now.” He lovingly replied to their son.
Sky’s very young mind of three still doesn’t understand why his mom slept for so long. He was just so happy that his mommy knows him and he was so elated that she even uttered his name.
“Go on little buddy. Give mommy a hug.”
Nanay Teresita quietly left the family.
Sky excitedly went to his mom who engulfed him in a very tight hug. Richard was just silently watching the two people he loved so much, more than his life.
Maya was caressing her son’s face, as if wanting to memorize every part of it. She also planted many kisses on her son’s face which delighted the little boy so much.
She directed his gaze at Ricky who was just watching them. He was so careful not to upset Maya.
He is very sure, from her reaction when she woke up, that she still harbors too much hatred and anger towards him.
As much as he wanted to engulf her in his arms and let her feel how much he missed her, Ricky knows that it is best to let Maya adjust and slowly understand everything that has happened to her.
Maya on the other hand, have figured out some of the significant events that has happened to her, her husband and their son for the past three years as Nanay Teresita gave her a glimpse of those already. Though she still couldn’t forgive Ricky for that incident at the airport, which still seemed like it just happened yesterday, she could see the worry, pain, hurt in her husband’s eyes when she asked him to leave her few hours ago.
She felt guilty.
“Ricky…”
But before she could say more, Nanay Teresita arrived with the nurses and doctors to do the tests on Maya.
Ricky had decided to leave Nanay Teresita with the doctors. He volunteered to be the one to buy Sky’s balloons and cake.
He needs to breath from roller coaster of emotions he’s been dealing with. Their son also needs his attention and it would be a good excuse to leave the hospital.
Maya is in good hands anyway.
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Maya had been cleared by the doctors after running some more tests to be certain that she is fully recovered from her coma.
She was with her nurse as Nanay Teresita was talking to Maya’s doctors.
It was afternoon and Ricky and Sky were still out buying stuff and preparing for the boy’s birthday.
Richard decided to have a celebration in the hospital instead of the intimate dinner they initially planned.
He wants to have a sort of celebration for Maya’s recovery and “waking up” with all the doctors and hospital personnel.
For the past three years, the hospital had been his wife’s and also his home and he wanted to show how he appreciated everything they did for his wife.
“Ma’m happy new year po!” The nurse who had been taking care of her and also her husband couldn’t contain her happiness to see that her patient for 3 years, Maya Lim is now awake. She is also emotional.
Maya who was still overwhelmed with all the information she was slowly discovering, smiled at her.
“Ikaw ba yun nurse ko?”
“Opo Ma’m. Ako po si Lindsay. Magmula ng ipinanganak nyo si Sky, ako na yun naging nurse nyo.”
“Maraming salamat Lindsay.”
“Tungkulin ko po Ma’m atsaka hinahangaan ko po yun pamilya nyo, yun tatag ni Mr. Lim. Mabuti naman po at gumising na kayo. Sa tatlong taon, limang beses lang po yan si Ser umalis ng hospital. Bilang na bilang namin kasi ayaw na ayaw nyang mawala ka sa paningin nya. Baka raw magising ka at hanapin siya. Ay idagdag natin yun pagalis nya ngayon, pang-anim po.”
“Talaga?”
“Opo Ma’m. Ang sabi sa amin ni Mrs. dela Rosa umalis lang po si Ser para pumirma ng mga papeles sa banko, nung magspeech saanniversary ng kumpanya nyo, ng sinalubong at inihatid nya sina Dona Esmeralda and Don Roberto sa airport ang ng nagpacheck up siya sa Heart Center. Dun kasi siya inirefer ng doctors dito.”
“Heart Center?” Maya worriedly asked.
“Ah si Mr. Lim po kasi kung minsan yun blood pressure hindi stable. Pero dont worry po Ma’m. Inaalagaan po nya yun sarili nya. Hindi naman po malubha. Siguro stressed lang si Sir at sobra lang kasi nya kayong namimiss. Gabi gabi nga po nya kayong kinakausap at kinakantahan eh.”
Maya was just staring at Lindsay.
“Ay sorry po Ma’m. Palakwento po kasi talaga ako. Kasi naman po sa tatlong taon, gustong gusto kong marinig yun boses nyo. Masayang masaya po talaga ako.”
“Walang problema Lindsay. Salamat ha.”
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The day ended. Everyone was tired Sky celebrated his birthday at the hospital with all the doctors, nurses and staff .
Nanay Teresita decided to bring Sky home with her and leave the couple alone. They needed time for themselves.
She knows that Ricky wanted to be alone with Maya so badly.
That evening after the nurse had finished checking on her, Maya was quietly observing her husband who was busy fixing the spare bed on their hospital room. He was already getting ready for bed.
Ricky never initiated a conversation with Maya for he knows that she was still mad at him and was just trying to act okay because of their son Sky and because Nanay Teresita was around.
He didn’t want to upset her.
Ricky was already lying down with an arm covering his eyes.
“Ricky?”
His heart leaped at his wife’s mention of his name especially that she uttered it without the same hatred and anger it had this morning
“Maya? You need something?” He abruptly stood up to find that Maya was not lying down but was seated on her bed.
She was staring at him lovingly and it made him want to run to her and hug her with all his might but he was still tentative on what to do.
“Ricky I need a hug…”
And that’s it, he wasted no time in giving in to the hug he wanted so badly to give his wife.
“I missed you Ricky. I’m so sorry. Sorry at di ko man lang naalagaan si Sky. Sorry at pinaalis kita kanina. I’m sorry. Alam ko na nasaktan kita. Naikwento nila lahat yun mga ginagawa mo habang tulog ako. Ricky… sweetheart… I’m sorry.” she was crying.
“Sssshhh… don’t say sorry Maya. Wala kang kasalanan. It was just fate playing a cruel joke on us pero ok na I’m glad that you’re back. I missed you so much Sweetheart.” he was hugging her.
“Ricky sinabi nila sakin na hindi ka umalis sa tabi ko. Paano kung di ako nagising? Papabayaan mo na lang ang sarili mo? ”
“Natakot ako Sweetheart. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko had you left me and our son. You scared me Maya. Don’t do that again please. Di mo alam how excited i get with every movement of your finger, a movement of your eyes, every sound you make… i felt so hopeless, helpless Maya. Hindi ko alam how to live anymore….”
But before he could say more, Maya lovingly held his face and gently planted a kiss on his lips. It’s her way to calm his restless heart and her way of conveying her love for him.
Today is a new beginning for them and they both vowed to face every challenge, every hardship that would come their way with open communication and trust towards each other.
Three years is long enough already to prove the commitment her husband has to her and Maya promised to cherish the chance to make things right.
A/N
Here’s the finale as promised. Sorry medyo late. May tinapos lang na document for work kaya di ko naipost agad.
Thank you again for kapitbisig.
The tagline we will use tomorrow is JOCHARD FEVER. Please just follow JoChardOfficial for the daily taglines. Hopefully we could make this a daily habit.
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