Taste of Life

26

"Ate, please. Not yet. Kuya Ian's still on the court room." I've been trying to focus while driving but Ate's shouting really loud.

"Just drive, Troye!" I can even see a few tears falling. Akala ko masakit lang manganak kapag palabas na. Why is it so painful this early?

"Due mo na ba? Diba next next week pa?" Nalilito na talaga ko.

"Hurry up."

"Wag ka manganganak sa kotse ko."

"Kotse ko 'to. Tanga." Actually that's true. but she gave it to me na. I tried calling Kuya Ian again but he's not answering. Sabi ng secretary niya, he's currently inside the court.

"Paano pag matagal pa si Kuya Ian? Ako sasama sayo sa loob?" I asked her.

"Kaya ko magisa. Baka mahimatay ka pag nakakita ka ng dugo." Yung Ate ko, manganganak na't lahat, attitude pa rin.

I sent a message na rin kila Mom. They booked a flight already pero the other day pa sila makakarating.

"Do you want me to call Ate Iana?"

"She's busy. Just shut up and drive."

"Please, promise mo hindi ka rito manganganak. Iiyak ako talaga." For someone na anak ng doctor, wala kamkng kwenta ni Ate talaga.

"Magdrive ka nang mabilis kung ayaw mo ko dito manganak."

So I stepped on the gas. Bahala na. Mahirap maglinis ng sasakyan.

I think we arrived okay naman sa hospital. They immediately put Ate in a room.

"With all the shouting and pain, di pa lalabas?" Naguguluhan na ko.

"We need to wait." She said calmly pero ramdam mo na konti nalang sasabog na siya.

I tried calling everyone I should call. Naawa na ko kay Atchi. Parang gusto ko nalang manganak for her. Saludo talaga sa mga kababaihan.

Pabalik-balik lang yung doctor ni Ate to measure something I don't understand.

I texted Annie about it and she said she's excited. I actually want to tell kay Eli but for some strange reason, I feel like ignoring her. Ever since the dinner date encounter, hindi ko siya nirereplyan. Hindi ko rin alam. But I feel
like it's better this way. Lalo na papalapit na rin ang simula ng seminary.

"Troye, hindi pa tapos trial ni Ian?" Ate asked. Why do I feel like pinipigilan niya manganak para makaabot si Kuya Ian? Nakakabaliw.

"I'll call again."

I dialed one more time and after a few rings, sumagot na siya.

"Kuya Ian, nasa hospital na kami. She's currently in labor. I don't understand what's happening. But you should go here na."

"Already on the way. Samahan mo Ate mo if hindi ako umabot." Namawis ako sa sinabi niyang yon. Hindi ko ata kakayanin makakita ng maraming dugo. Baka pumikit nalang ako. Bahala na.

A few more minutes then the doctor told me na dadalin na si ate sa operating room. I nodded at hinawakan ang kamay ni Ate. Which I regretted cause akala ko mababalian ako ng kamay.

"Ian." She murmured

"On the way na."

She nodded her head slightly. Dapat ipangalan sa pamangkin ko pighai o kaya sakit. Ang stressful ng entrance niya sa buhay ko.