In the Midst (Daughters Series 1)

Chapter 1: Unusual Woman

Ariel Benecio

"Ate, kakain na!" Narinig kong sabi ng kapatid ko na nasa labas ng kwarto ko.

"Oo, bababa na!"

Tiningnan ko muna ang sarili ko ng isa pang beses sa salamin bago ako bumaba.

Napangiti ako nung makita na nagkakalaman na ulit ang katawan ko at namumula na ulit ang balat ko lalo na ang pisngi ko. Hindi kagaya dati na ang payat-payat ko at ang putla ko.

Tatlong taon narin ang nakalipas simula nung huling chemo therapy ko. Halos dalawang taon din akong lumaban at sa awa ng Diyos, natapos din ang chemo ko pero may mga gamot pa rin akong tini-take for maintenance. Sabi ng doctor, under complete remission daw ang cancer ko. Ibig sabihin, wala na akong symptoms ng sakit ko. But unfortunately, may chance pa rin daw itong bumalik kaya dapat regularly pa rin akong nagpapa-check up para ma-monitor ako ng doctor.

In my three years of under remission, may kaba parin sa puso ko dahil may posibilad na bumalik ulit ang sakit ko. Sabi kasi ng doctor ko, within 5 years after my last chemo treatment, iyon daw ang timeframe usually na bumabalik ang cancer. I was hoping and praying na sana hindi na ito bumalik dahil ang hirap.

Akala ko nga ay mamamatay na ako noon eh. Thank God I was given another chance. I wanted to make sure that I would cherish every moment of it because I wouldn't know when would be my last breath.

Bumaba na ako at dumiretso sa dining room kung saan naghihintay sina daddy, mommy and Archie.

"Good morning!" I greeted them.

They all smiled at me and greeted me back.

Dad pulled a chair for me to sit. He really treated me as her princess. Dad was so consistent in showing me how much he loved me. Siya din yung madalas na nagpapatawa sa akin lalo na pag malungkot ako. Palabiro kasi si daddy.

"Anak, tomorrow is your doctor's appointment. Are you sure you will be fine by yourself? I can close my clinic tomorrow if you want me to come. Just tell me."

"Mom, I will be fine. Kaya ko naman po. Malakas na ako. Besides, you already skipped a lot of work because of me."

Noong may sakit kasi ako, halos hindi na pumapasok sa clinic si mommy para samahan ako sa hospital at para alagaan ako pag nasa bahay. Ganun din si daddy. They had sacrificed their career to take care of me. I appreciated all their care and love, but I felt bad for them. I did not want to take more of their time kasi they already gave up so much for me. Ngayon na okay na ako, hindi na nila kailangan umabsent. I could take care of myself now.

"You know I don't mind missing work for you, my princess."

"Ako rin," dad second that motion.

I smiled at them because I was so touched. Hindi man nila ako kadugo pero tinuring nila akong parang totoo nilang anak. They loved me so much that's why I loved them so much too. They're a blessing to me.

"Thank you so much, mom and dad."

After we ate, I bid goodbye to my mom at pati narin sa kapatid ko.

"See you at the shop, anak," dad said bago siya sumakay sa kotse niya para ihatid si Archie sa school niya at si mommy ay kasama rin nila dahil ihahatid din siya ni dad sa clinic nito.

As for me, I drove my motorbike. Ito lagi ang gamit ko tuwing lalabas ako. Lola Scarlet bought this motorbike for my 18th birthday and since then, ito na ang madalas kong gamitin lalo na nung marunong na akong magmaneho nito.

"Drive safely, Ariel." Ito ang laging sinasabi ni mommy tuwing nakikita niya akong pasakay ng motorbike ko.

"Will do, mom. Kayo rin, ingat kayo." Kumaway ako sa kanila bago ko nilagay ang helmet ko.