EPISODE 36 I CAME BACK

THE NEXT DAY before lunch, I went to the coffee shop, just like I promised Clyde.
"Hello, Nanay Mira." I greeted them as I entered.
Nanay Mira seemed surprised to see me as well as Ingrid.
"Sir Clint?" Said Ingrid.
"Hi Ingrid, is Clyde there?"
They know what kind of relationship Mama Cha and I have, so I don't think of them any differently. It is said that Mama Cha never kept it a secret from them. I'm a little embarrassed sometimes because they know the whole incident and they make it seem like they understood everything. Even though the first time they saw me, they already knew, because Clyde and I really have the same face. That's why Ingrid just stared at me the first time I asked her.
"Aah.. Clint!"
"Nanay Mira, how is Clyde?"
"Oh yes! A bit—he and his mother had a bit of a fight last night when they arrived."
I approached the counter where Nanay Mira was. I put down the red paper bag, a treat I brought for Clyde.
"Can't I talk to him now?"
"What happened and Clyde is crying like that?"
"Nanay Mira.. Umn.. Did Mama Cha scold him?"
"Yes!Chari was really mad at him. That's never happened before. It's just—that's why the bad thing happened!"
"Bad thing? How bad is Nanay Mira?"
"Because Clyde's heart problem attacks along with his asthma."
"What? Heart problem? What do you mean?" I asked confusedly.
"So you don't know?"
"Nanay Mira, tell Sir Clint about it."
"About what?Why?What's the problem?"
"Clyde has a heart problem," Nanay Mira said. "When his asthma and palpitations go together, he ends up in the hospital. "
My eyes widened. I was open-mouthed at what Nanay Mira said.
"He has been through several treatments since he was a baby. Didn't Chari tell you what Clyde's condition was?"
I just shook my head slowly.
"We rushed him to the hospital last night. A few hours after they arrived, Clyde still didn't stop crying until he stopped breathing and had to be taken to the hospital."
My knees almost shook from what I found out.
"You mean— Is he in the hospital now?"
"Yes, Clint, your son is critically ill."
"Where can I find him? What hospital?"

IT'S ALMOST a thirty-minute drive from where I've been. I tried to call Mama Cha to find out which floor the room was on and which room it was in. But I'm disappointed. Several times, she did not answer the phone.
"Ah.. Hello, Nanay Mira? Can you tell me where Clyde's room is so I can go straight there?"
I was surprised by Nanay Mira's answer.
"Ah, o--okay."
I asked for information on which floor the ICU was on because Clyde was in that room.

MY KNEES were shaking just before I got out of the elevator. I don't know why I feel like a candle running out now and my mind is floating.
A few more moments
"Ma.." I saw Mama Cha standing in front of a room surrounded by glass.
I hurried to walk. And when I got close, it was,
"Ma?"
She ignored me.
When I looked across from where she was standing, I saw Clyde inside that room, and he was fast asleep. There was oxygen in his nose and mouth. He was covered in serum and had something else stuck to his chest. I couldn't stop myself. I clung to the big mirror and..
"Fuck! Ma? What's that? W-why is Clyde there? What's that? Ma? Hmmm.." I couldn't stop my tears from falling.
My chest felt like it was going to explode at that time. I have so many questions in my mind that she doesn't want to answer.
"No! That's not Clyde! We had a good time yesterday! We even fought in the air flaring and then! And— Hmp! Ma? What happened? Please? Answer me! I'm confused!" I said in a low but angry voice. I kept biting my lip because I was angry, really angry.
My children are both in the hospital right now. Tejie, who is in Manila, and Clyde, who was just with me yesterday. My mind's a mess. I can't explain the weight of emotion that is felt.
"Your son needs you in Manila, Clint."
I looked at Mama Cha at what she said so casually.
"Don't worry about us because I can do it! Clyde and I can do it."
"Why are you like that? Are you not going to do anything but drive me away? You keep on doing that! "
"We got used to you not being there! And look! What happened when you came? His mind was just messed up! Everything was just messed up, Clint." Mama Cha said again to me, casually.
I saw that Mama Cha was already crying, but she didn't move as she stared at the sleeping Clyde. I approached her to hug her, but she moved away from me.
"Why didn't you tell me that he was sick?"
"Don't worry, Clint. That's why I'm working hard to save enough for his heart surgery.
At that point, we were both just crying. Simply wiping our cheeks wet with tears. We are both calm and gentle.
"You don't need to save money, Ma. I'm here! I'm here---even if I run out of money, I don't care as long as I fix everything. Chari, what are you doing? Why are you so stubborn? Huh?" I said at the same time, looking at her. "You're always like that!"
She also looked at me. "You and Trina have a family, a child. I don't want to harm you! I don't want to bother you, Clint. "
"That's why Clyde is like this! He got his sickness when you were pregnant! Why did you have to leave, Ma? You saw what happened? He brought it on! "
She looked at me. "Why did you come? I was the one who left! "
"Everything has a reason! God made a way for us to meet again! You know why, Ma? "
"Wh-what? What's the reason, Clint?Tell me."
"Because we have Clyde, Ma."
I approached her and tried to hug her even though she didn't want to. I locked her tightly in my arms so she wouldn't get away.
And for a while, it was..
"Clint.. I'm scared..Hmmn.. I don't want to lose Clyde. I don't know what to do, Clint.. "
I tightened my grip on her even more when I heard what she said. This is the second time I've seen Mama Chari vulnerable, who I know is as brave as before. But even a very tough parent will fold when it comes to their children.
"Ma.. Please. Nothing bad will happen to him. Don't worry. I'm the father!I'm here! Leave me to play the part of being a father." I said seriously. "In our whole lives, you are all. From me to Clyde? You took care of me and fixed my life, so now let me move! Please, Ma, rest first. Let's fix Clyde. I'll fix you."
"What about your family? You and Trina Clint have a child. I don't want to ruin your happy marriage.Hmmn.. I don't want to! That's why I left! I don't want to hurt someone's feelings.Hmp!" She cried so hard.
"You're not ruining anything, Ma, because the family you're talking about was never formed. Let's fix Clyde; let's fix our family. I'm willing to remove Trina from my life for you. Ma, please. I implore you to give me a chance so I can show you that I have grown up.. that I have grown. "
She didn't move. I kept on embracing her. The two of us hugged while looking at our sleeping Clyde, who was going through a lot at that time.
"We will fix everything, Ma. I will not allow anything to happen to him. I love you, Ma, very much. I love Clyde. I'm sorry for everything I've done. Sorry Ma, sorry.." I kissed her forehead.
"I hope he will be okay. I can't forgive myself; it was my fault. Clyde baby.. Sorry." she cried.
I put her face on my chest. I couldn't stop crying with her. And we are both crying now.
June_Thirteen