Taste of Life

20

My first few weeks studying went so fast. I gained a few friends from my Investment philosophy class. Although, yun ang pinaka maikli kong klase, doon ako may pinaka marami kaklase. In my other classes, kaunti lang kami tapos lagi pang nagmamadali ang mga tao.

I was enjoying New York. Gets ko na why mom loved NYC. Sobrang iba sa pakiramdam. Parang requirement ang kindness dito.

Dahil patapos na rin ang short courses ko next week, I asked my parents if ano ang plano namin. Nagulat nga ako they stayed with me. Nawili rin sila. I think, they reconnected with a lot of people na friends nila dito before. Mom is always in the hospital na pinagttrabahuhan niya dati. She said she's doing a few lectures sa mga Medical Interns doon. Parati rin siyang nalabas kasama si Miss Cath at Auntie Zel.

My dad is just working kahit andito. Pinapauwi ko na nga siya kasi one time I heard the people from the Grid are missing him pero sabi kiya magffunction naman daw sila kahit wala siya. At isa pa, ayaw niyang matulog magisa.

Everything is going well. It feels so nice.

"Well, tell me if uuwi na tayo so that I can buy pasalubong na for the non-newyorkers like Atchi." I said habang we are having our dinner. Mom requested crab again.

"Actually Troye, we need to stay a little more." Mom nervously said.

"Oh because of your lectures? It's okay." I said and smiled. Baka pwede pa kong magtake ng short courses. I was planning in my head when my dad caught my attention.

"Remember the reason why napaaga ang dating ko?"

I nodded and remembered how my mom cried that night.

"Your Auntie Dani called to remind us about your heart." Mom's trying not to cry again.

"Oh is it about the 12 years thing?" I asked. My doctor actually told me about it. I mean, ilang taon na ko. I have access sa internet.

"You knew?" Gulat na sabi nila parehas. I just nodded.

"Since when?" My mom asked. I think kumalma siya kahit papaano.

"I don't know, like ever since? Auntie Rhi told me about it rin before." Actually they explained it to me matagal na. Why are they so shocked?

I saw how my parents exchanged looks.

"Andon kaya kayo when they explained it. Mom you even told me na everything will be fine. I'm fine. I have a few more years." I smirked.

"I am actually, uhm, working on a new research about heart transplant. I'm working with my old colleagues." My mom explained.

"That's nice, Mom." I gave her a huge smile, I'm glad mommy's working again.

"It's still on clinical trial, if this will be successful. You're getting that treatment." Mom explained. I was thrilled.

"That's cool. You're like the reason why I have a new heart again."

She sadly smiled. I know it's hard for my mom to think about these kind of stuff. After Angelette, I know she can't handle another loss. But I won't go anywhere. I believe in my heart. Well, kind of. I feel like I'll be fine for a couple more years.

"So we are staying for how many more days?" I asked.

"Actually months, anak. You and your dad can actually go home na. But I want to stay here while the trial's on going." She gave us a small smile. Observing me and my dad's reaction.

"Ate's giving birth in a few months, we need to be there." I reminded her.

"Yeah. I know." She answered.

"Mom, I'll be fine. We've been here before. I turned out to be okay."

"That's my boy!" Dad cheered.

I chuckled and decided to bully him. "Dad will cry pag nauna kami umuwi ng Pinas, Mom. He'll miss you."

"I won't cry but yes, I will miss you, Angel." he reaches for my mom's hand and squeezed it. I hate PDA. I rolled my eyes.

"Para kayong ewan magtatay. Basta, if gusto niyo na umuwi. Umuwi na kayo. Saglit nalang naman yung Clinical Trial. Pero Troye, if successful yon, dito ka ooperahan."

"I can go back here, Ma. I need to pass my requirements din sa seminary eh." I said. And they just nodded. For some reason, that's something na magpapatahimik sakanila. Me going to seminary.

"Do you want me to stay?" My dad asked my Mom. Hindi agad siya nakasagot. I feel like she wants to say yes.

"I can fly back home alone." I assured them.

"Yeah. He'll be fine." My dad added. Hindi pa rin makasagot si Mom.

"I'll stay sa bahay nila Atchi."

My mom's face glowed. Ngayon lang ba niya naalala na hindi ako magisa paguwi dahil andon naman si Kuya Ian at Ate Iza?

"Are you sure?" She finally said.

I nodded and gave him a smile.

"Baka naman paguwi niyong dalawa, tatlo na kayo ah. Please lang masyado na kayong matanda for a baby." I joked.

"Troye!!" They both said in unison bago kami magtawanan.