A Change of Heart

XIV

“Hello Mommy?” Jane fumbled for her phone. They are on their way to the hospital para sundan sila Alvin. Pero parang nanadya, usad pagong ang takbo nila sa EDSA. Lalo tuloy tumatagal ang pag-aalala nila. Although Kuya Jeric called their dad and he specifically said not to worry dahil Alvin is under doctor’s care now, hindi parin mapakali sila Jane. For Jane, she won’t be at ease unless she sees him face to face. She wants to be sure. She wants to see him.

“Hello Ate, napanuod naming sa TV yung nangyari kay Alvin,” sabi ni Tita Jen, mommy ni Jane. “How is he?”

“I still don’t know, Mom. We’re on our way to the hospital. Hindi ko pa po siya nakikita,” Jane said, her voice shaky.

“Okay. Don’t worry anak. He’ll be fine. He’s a strong, young man. You don’t need to worry….. Balitaan mo ako kung ano sabi ng doctor niya ha? We’ll try to visit ASAP.”

“Yes Mom,” Jane said.

“Mag- ingat kayo. Lalo na ikaw.. ‘Wag ka hihiwalay sa mga ate mo,” her mom instructed.

“Opo.”

“Calm down, Ate. Everything will be fine. Don’t worry,” her mom said softly.

After half an hour of driving, finally they reached the hospital. Right after Jeric stopped the car, the girls hurriedly rush to where Alvin is.

“Dad said room 403 daw,” sabi ni Ate Alyssa while rushing through the hallway. They dashed to Alvin’s room. Finally, they reached it, pero hindi pa sila pinapasok agad ng nurse dahil nag-uusap pa daw ang parents ni Alvin at ang doctor. Hindi mapakali si Jane while waiting. She feels frustrated, why is that there’s always something stopping her from seeing Alvin. She doesn’t know kung uupo ba siya o tatayo nalang. Same with the others, Jeric was pacing around while Almira kept fidgeting and biting her nails. Sa lahat, si Alyssa lang ang tahimik at mukhang kalamdong naghihintay.

Finally, they were allowed to come in. As much as she wants to run inside, she let Alvin’s siblings to go first. Somehow, Jane felt a bit relieved when she saw Alvin sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed.

“Mommy! Daddy!” bati ni Almira sa parents nila.

“How is he?” tanong ni Jeric.

“Well, nothing to worry about. He just had fever and sprained ankle. The doctor said he needs to rest his ankle for 2 to 3 weeks,” their dad explained.

“Sprain lang po? Fever? Pero bakit po siya nag pass out?” Alyssa asked in disbelief.

“Well, apparently your brother is over fatigued.  Linalagnat na nga pero pinuwersa pa niya maglaro kanina. Kaya din nawalan siya ng malay kanina,” Tito Al explained.

“Yan na nga ba sinasabi ko Dad. He shouldn’t force himself too much!,” sabi ni Tita Susie.

“Don’t worry now. Atleast it’s nothing serious. Blessing in disguise na rin ito Mommy. Ngayon mapipilitan si Shoti magpahinga kahit na gusto niya maglaro,” sabi ni Alyssa while sniffing.

Ngayon lang napansin ni Tita Susie na namumula mga mata ni Alyssa and Jane.

“Are you alright girls?” baling ni Tita Susie kay Alyssa and Jane. “Bakit namumula mga mata niyo?”

“Ay nako Mom! On our way here panay iyak ng dalawang yan. Lalo na si Jane, dinaig niya ako sa pag-iyak,” biro ni Ate Almira. Now that they found out that Alvin is okay, the atmosphere feels lighter and relaxed. Ready na sila makipagbiruan ulit.