Chapter XVII: Tured
It is past midnight, and the De Vera household lies still, the sound of raindrops softly hitting the windowpanes. Christine wakes suddenly, hearing faint noises coming from downstairs. She nudges Benigno awake.
"Ben, parang may tao sa baba," she whispers, her voice trembling.
Benigno sits up, straining his ears. The faint clatter of footsteps confirms her fears. He grabs his phone but pauses as Christine grips his arm tightly.
"Kailangan nating bumaba," she says, her resolve overshadowing her fear.
Together, they cautiously exit their room, creeping down the stairs to find two armed men rifling through their belongings in the sala. One of them spots the couple.
"Walang gagalaw!" the intruder snarls, pointing a pistol at them.
Benigno steps forward, his voice firm despite his trembling hands.
"Anong kailangan niyo dito? Kunin niyo ang gusto niyo, huwag niyo kaming saktan."
The second intruder smirks, brandishing a knife.
"Wala kaming balak mag-iwan ng witness."
Before the situation worsens, a loud thud echoes behind them. Isko appears, his face fierce with determination.
"IBBATAN YO ISUDA! (Bitawan niyo sila!)" he shouts, his voice cutting through the tension.
The first armed man aims his gun, but before he can pull the trigger, Isko lunges forward with surprising speed. He tackles the man to the ground, grappling with him as the gun discharges into the ceiling.
Christine screams as Benigno grabs a baseball bat from the corner. The second intruder rushes toward Isko, but he manages to headbutt the first man into unconsciousness.
"Isko, tumakbo ka na!" Christine cries out.
But Isko stands his ground. The second man recovers quickly, pulling the gun from his partner. Before anyone can react, a gunshot rings out.
Isko crumples to the ground, blood pooling from a wound on his head.
"No!" Christine screams, rushing toward him as Benigno swings the bat with all his might.
The impact is critical, sending the second intruder sprawling onto the floor, his weapon clattering away.
Benigno grabs Christine, pulling her back as she sobs uncontrollably.
"Isko, anak, gising ka! Huwag kang susuko!"
Christine fumbles for her phone, her hands shaking as she dials 911.
"May emergency dito sa Calle Crisologo! May sugatan po, pakibilisan niyo!"
The police arrive swiftly, sirens piercing the night air. The intruders are apprehended, their unconscious forms handcuffed and dragged away. The paramedics rush inside, attending to Isko with urgency.
"He's alive, but critical," one of them announces.
Christine clutches Benigno as they watch Isko being wheeled out of the house and into the ambulance.
"Diyos ko, iligtas niyo po ang anak namin," Christine whispers, her voice breaking.
At Gabriela Silang General Hospital, Isko is rushed into the operating room. The couple waits anxiously in the hallway, the gravity of the night's events settling heavily on their shoulders.
"Bakit ganito, Ben?" Christine mutters, tears streaming down her face.
"Ang tapang ng apo natin. Sinakripisyo niya ang sarili niya para sa atin."
Benigno wraps an arm around her, his own tears falling silently.
"Magiging okay siya, Christine. Kailangan nating magtiwala."
As the night deepens, the couple finds themselves clinging to hope, their prayers echoing in the sterile hospital corridor.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoes through the hospital corridor as Shane arrives, her face pale and her hands trembling. She spots Benigno and Christine seated near the ICU, their faces etched with exhaustion and worry.
"Tito, Tita, kumusta si Isko?" Shane asks, her voice shaking as tears threaten to fall.
Christine looks up, her eyes red and swollen.
"Nasa ICU siya, iha. Hindi pa siya nagigising."
Shane's knees buckle slightly, and she leans against the wall for support.
"Pwede ko ba siyang makita?"
Benigno nods solemnly.
"Sandali lang, Shane. Pero kailangan nating maghintay ng balita mula sa doktor."
Shane steps toward the glass window of the ICU, her breath catching as she sees Isko lying on the bed, surrounded by beeping machines. A bandage is wrapped around his head, and he looks so fragile, a stark contrast to the lively boy she had come to know.
Tears stream down her cheeks as she whispers,
"Isko, gumising ka naman. Kailangan kita."
After a moment, Shane turns back to the couple.
"Anong nangyari? Bakit siya nagkaganito?"
Benigno sighs deeply and begins recounting the events of the night—the break-in, the confrontation, and Isko's bravery in protecting them. Christine adds,
"Sinakripisyo niya ang sarili niya para sa amin, Shane. Kung wala siya, baka kami ang napahamak."
Shane listens intently, her tears falling steadily. Unable to hold back her emotions, she steps forward and hugs both of them tightly.
"Salamat po sa pagsabi," she says, her voice muffled.
Pulling away, she looks at them with trembling lips.
"May gusto po akong sabihin. Hindi ko na kayang itago."
Christine and Benigno exchange a glance, their expressions curious.
"Mahigit isang buwan na po kaming magkakilala ni Isko. Sa panahong iyon… mahal ko na po siya," Shane admits, her voice breaking.
"Hindi ko po masabi sa kanya dahil natatakot ako. Pero ngayon, gusto kong malaman niyo."
Christine smiles faintly, placing a comforting hand on Shane's shoulder.
"Kung naririnig ka lang ni Isko ngayon, Shane, sigurado akong magiging masaya siya. Napakabuti mong bata."
Benigno nods, his voice soft.
"Mahalaga si Isko sa amin, at ngayon, mas lalo naming nakikita kung gaano siya kahalaga sa iba. Salamat, Shane."
Shane hugs them again, this time letting herself cry freely. After a few moments, she wipes her tears and steps back.
"Magpapalakas si Isko. Alam kong lalaban siya," Shane says with determination.
"Babalik ako bukas, Tito, Tita."
As she exits the hospital, Christine and Benigno exchange a look of gratitude and hope.
The couple enters the ICU, standing silently by Isko's side. Christine gently takes his hand, her tears falling onto the bed.
"Isko, anak, naririnig mo ba kami? Gising ka na, please," she whispers.
Benigno places a hand on Isko's shoulder, his grip firm.
"Laban, anak. Hindi pa pwedeng matapos ang laban mo. Maraming nagmamahal sa'yo."
In the stillness of the room, the couple continues to pray, their hope unwavering as they keep vigil over their beloved son.