Chapter 61: Years

“You can’t hear me?”

Zachary said something again but I couldn’t understand it. Hindi ko iyon marinig. His lips were moving and I knew that he was speaking. Pero hindi ko iyon marinig.

My ears are acting up again. It has been a while since something like this happened. I thought I would be okay but I was wrong. I forgot that I wasn’t fully healed yet. And now, it’s starting again.

“What are you saying?” I asked despite not being able to hear what I said. “I’m sorry, my ears. I can’t hear...”

I could feel my lips trembling. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. I didn’t bring my hearing aids.

Zachary came to me. Lumuhod siya sa harap ko. His eyes were worried and bloodshot. He looked like he’s pitying me. I suddenly felt awful.

“I’ll rest now. I wanna be alone while I rest. You can sleep in the guestroom,” I told him.

“MJ...” I read the movement of his lips. He was close to me which was why I was able to understand what he said. “I can’t leave you alone. Why are you asking me to leave you?