Hapless Beings

Chapter Two

2 - Friendship

Keana

Nagising ako nang marinig kong bumukas ang pinto. Nilingon ko 'yun at nakita ko si Mama Mexie.

"Good morning, 'Nak," nakangiting aniya. Binati ko rin siya 'saka ngumiti pabalik.

She walked straight to me to check on my IV- the bag and the tube. Then, tinatanggal niya ulit 'yun- ang nakakabit sa akin na cannula kasi nakakonekta 'yun sa IV pole- para makaligo ako at makabihis. Hindi kasi ako nakakagalaw ng maayos 'pag nakakabit 'yon sa akin. I know how to get it naman but she'll always insist na siya na lang.

Mama Mexie rose from her seat when she saw me came out from the bathroom- fresh and clean. She asked me about my sleep, if I'm experiencing some ache in my chest and she also checked my vitals. This is always my morning routine and I'm used to it.

"I'll go to the rooftop later, 'Ma. Is it okay? Ako lang mag-isa. Wala pa po si Ate Jira kasi mamaya pa 'yung duty niya. Kaya, pretty please po?" I asked her, cutely, to make it more convincing. Sana madala siya sa pagpapacute ko, si Ate Jira kasi ay hindi.

She just stared at me then afterwards, sighed and nodded. I grinned brightly because of her approval. Minsan lang kasi ako magpaalam na gagala sa loob ng ospital kaya nasasaway niya talaga ako 'pag tumatakas ako, kagaya noong huling ginawa ko na nakita ako ni Ate Jira. It's for my safety naman daw kasi what if nahimatay daw ako bigla riyan? Kaya dapat ay nagpapaalam ako sa kanya kasi it's a must that she knows what 'kalokohan' I'm doing.

"But please, don't remove this and ride on a wheelchair, will you? Baka mapagod ka sa kakalakad."

"Aye, aye, aye, Captain!"

Alam na niya siguro ang nangyari noong isang araw na nakita ako ni Ate Jira.

She pointed my new replaced IV bag and my IV tube while seriously looking at me when she noticed my giddy grin. She knew what I'm planning, alright. She knew me too well. I protruded my lips and nod at her like an obedient daughter, because I am, sometimes.

I let out a sigh when I arrived at the rooftop. Malamig pa rin ang simoy ng hangin dahil papasikat pa naman ang araw. Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang almost brown na buhok ko 'saka pinagulong ang wheelchair papalapit sa railings.

Gusto ko sanang umupo ulit doon katulad noong isang araw... kaso wheelchair moment muna ako ngayon.

Sunrise, sunsets, stars and the moon can make me feel at peace like nothing's wrong, like I don't have this disease, that I can go to school and jam with my classmates and my circle of friends. I can't help but to pity myself and envy them. They can and will live like there's no tomorrow but me? I'm living worrying about my health, thinking when I will die and many more.

But, I'm proud of myself that I'm still breathing. I want to overcome this kind of situation I am in, someday. Gusto kong maging katulad ng ibang kabataan na nakakapag-aral sa isang paaralan, maranasan ang kilig kasi hinarot ka ni crush, maranasang barahin ang pabidang classmate, mapagod sa mga activities, makinig sa lesson habang pasimpleng kumakain at magtatawanan kasama ang mga kaibigan ko... Gustong-gusto ko 'yon.

I mean, I can do these things naman but I have limitations and Mama Mexie will monitor me everytime. For me, it's 'hassle' na on her part kasi pupunta pa siyang school para i-check lang ako tapos babalik ulit sa hospital.