I woke up with a throbbing pain in my head. I opened my eyes slowly and saw the white ceiling immediately. I looked around me and realized that I am here in the hospital room.
Sighing deeply, I tried to remember what was the last thing that happened before I went here. I froze up when I remember the numerous gunshot I've heard. I gasped for some air when my ribcage began tightening again.
"Nathalie, sweetheart!" the familiar voice of my grandma Helga called me.
I shifted my eyes on her. She walked towards me and hugged me immediately. I let out a heavy sigh, still in shock that it all happened in just one night. It was like everything sank in my head that made me feel the fear again.
"Grandma...” I can’t control my emotion. I just burst into tears because as I looked back to what happened in our house. I hugged her back and cried my heart out.
I thought I would be dead by that moment. Fear still crept all over my body that I hugged my grandmother so tight. I never imagined that I'd get to experience such things until it finally happened. It felt like the death have followed me and I was only able to escape and save myself because of Evan. If he wasn’t there, horrible things must’ve happened to me…
Evan…
"Evan… Where is he..." I soft whimper escaped my lips. My hands were both shaking in fear. I released from my grandmother’s hug and checked every corner of his room. With tears rolling down like falls on my cheeks, I searched for his presence but he’s not here and that made me more worried. "G-Grandma, h-how’s Evan? Where is he? Where is Evan, Grandma?”
"Oh my! Sweetheart, please calm down," my grandmother consoled me. She started patting my back, hoping that I would feel better towards the situation but I can’t just sit here knowing that Evan might be in a big trouble. For heaven’s sake, his life is in danger!
"Grandma, where is Evan? I… I need to see him, please! Where is he, Grandma Helga?!" I panicked as I didn't see his presence in the room.
With tears spilled over the side of my eyes and cheeks, I stared at my grandmother. She looked apologetic and worried. All I could was shake my head as I don’t understand why she can’t answer me. I hope thing bad has happened to him. I hope he’s okay wherever he is. I may not be able to forgive myself if something terrible happened to him all because of me.
"Grandma, please!" I begged so that my grandmother would speak but she only shook her head in response.
My forehead creased while my tears are still falling from my eyes. What happened that I didn't know about? Is he alright? Were they able capture Tyrone Villarante? Where is he?
The door opened and it got my attention. My lips parted when I saw the people who just entered the room. My parents… They are here… It’s been a long time since the last time I saw them. I blinked hundred of times, hoping that I am not dreaming at all.
I am not. They are truly here…
Anxiety started to take over my mind. I was so afraid of facing them because of the past that destroyed each one of us. And now, they are here with me…
I then witnessed how my mother Michelle Saavedra started crying in despair. She walked slowly towards me with her tears falling down her cheeks. She reached for my hand. My body became so weak and soft because of her warm touch. I felt my tears starting to build up from the side of my eyes and I didn’t even think of holding back. I cried again when she hugged me so tight… as if she knew that all this time, I’ve been dying to feel her warm embrace.
My mother cried out loud as she hugged me so tight. I sobbed as I hugged her back. I can’t deny that I longed for her despite everything that happened in the past. I craved for their presence even though the anxiety almost killed me back then. And it was painful as last night, I already had the thought of not seeing them forever. I thought it would be the end of my life.
"Mommy..." my voice immediately cracked when I called her.
"I'm sorry, Nathalie... I'm really sorry..." she apologized multiple times but I didn't even know what was her apologies for because I already forgave them… The anger that once lived inside my chest was no longer in me anymore.
We had a moment. I hugged her and felt her warmth. I missed it. I thought I won't be able to see my mom's face but she's here hugging me just like the old days...
Then, I looked at my father. He's only standing right in front of the door and watching us. His eyes were teary but he managed to control his emotion. He didn't smile at me. He was actually looking at me as if he wanted to scold me but only trying his best to stay calm.
My mom released me and caressed my hair. I paid attention to my father and swallowed hard as I find it too hard to meet his gaze. I licked my lower lip and looked away. I don’t know why he was looking at me as if he’s so mad at me but I don’t have the courage to meet his dangerous eyes. I am afraid that we’ll both explode because of some feelings we kept inside.
“Do you feel better now, Nathalie?” my mother asked me in her worried tone. She held my hand and sat on the available chair beside my bed. I turned to her and her eyes screams of fear and regrets.
"I-I'm fine, Mom…” I inhaled heavily and wiped my tears away. "Mommy, may I know where is Evan?" I asked her, hoping that I would get a proper answer from my own mother as my grandmother wasn’t able to answer me a while ago.
Mom frowned. The emotion painted in her eyes became different in just a matter of seconds. She wiped her tears away and then glanced to Daddy. That made me look at him as well. I was waiting for them to answer but all I heard was my grandmother’s heavy sigh.
"Is he okay, Mom?" I asked my mother and then looked up at my grandmother, "Grandma, is Evan okay right now?”
I heard my father's ragged breathing. He finally moved and walked towards the side of my bed. He kept looking at me intently that made me so uncomfortable. I blinked several times. I gasped and lowered my head as I felt scared and indifferent towards my own daddy.
"You're not seeing that guy again, Nathalie Risha," my father said with finality on his words.
It seem like my world has stopped because of what he said. I glanced up at him with my widened eyes. My lips trembled… No way…
What did daddy say?
"Daddy, can you please—”
“We almost lose you because of that son of a bitch!” he scolded me. Anger became very visible in his eyes.
My body froze up. I know that they are still mad at him but Evan didn't do anything to harm me. In fact, he protected me at all costs. He risked his life in order to save me and I don't see any reason to leave him behind!
“Daddy!” I snorted in my loud and cracked voice. “Evan didn’t want that to happen! He risked his life to save me last night!”
"Sweetheart, please..." Mom squeezed my hand to calm me down. “It will be best if you listen to your dad. Please?”
I can’t believe this! I shook my head and pulled my hand from my mom’s grip. The searing pain rose inside my chest. Why are they doing this to me?
“I won’t let that man go near you, Nathalie. I will no longer tolerate this! I won’t let him destroy our life again! That Zendejas is getting into my nerves!” my father shouted. His voice was like a thunder.
I can’t help but to feel angry at him. He doesn’t really want to understand the situation first!
“You can’t do this to me, dad! Please don’t be so cruel! Don’t do this to Evan!” I cried in front of them. "He's trying to fix things for us! Why don't you give him a chance? It wasn’t his intention, alright? He was also a victim here!”
"Nathalie!" He called me warily.
"Frank" Grandma Helga stopped him from talking. "Let them be! For heaven’s sake, my granddaughter is already on legal age to make a decision for her life. She already knows what would be the best for her!”
“Mom, please! Are you really giving that bastard a chance? He committed a lot of mistakes and brought nothing but tortures into our family! He destroyed everything we have!” my dad almost screamed with his gritted teeth. He inhaled sharply and turned his back on us.
His ragged breathing became more evident. He then turned to me with so much anger in his eyes. He’s obviously disappointed in me. He only shook his head and then walked out of the room.
"No... please, mom… grandma… Let me see him... Please..." I cried my heart out as I started to beg in front of them. "I love him, Mom... I love him so much... Please don’t hurt me like this! I am begging all of you… Please don’t do this to me!”
"I'm sorry, Nathalie..." was the only thing my mom has managed to say… making the pain more excruciating and saddening.
Evan…