Nakababa na kami sa Grab ride namin. Nagulat ako nung una kung bakit sa supermarket kami tumigil imbes na sa katabing ospital kung nasaan si Granny. But Sir Greg immediately explained right after we got off that he'll just quickly buy fruits inside first before we go see my grandmother.
Nakatayo lang ako sa labas ng supermarket dahil di na niya ako pinasama sa loob. Mukhang maunti ang tao dahil maaga pa. True enough, Sir Greg returned after a good 10 minutes.
"Let's go?"
I nodded at him. We headed towards the hospital.
Sir Greg was telling me about the things some of my team did back when I was still in the US. Napapangiti nalang ako sa mga kalokohan nila.
Paakyat na ang elevator na sinasakyan namin, pilit pa rin akong kinakausap ni Sir Greg. Maybe because he sensed how tensed I am. Honestly, this is the first time I'm going to see Granny in a hospital that isn't because of just an annual Physical Exam. I know Sir Greg is just trying to cheer me up a bit so he's telling random stories.
Napapangiti naman ako sa mga kwento niya, but I really can't shake off my nervousness.
Pagkababa namin sa elevator, umuna sa akin si Sir Greg. He was looking for the room number Gretch mentioned, and I was just quietly following behind him.
Nang makita na niya ang kwarto, nilingon ako ni Sir Greg. Nakita niya na mabagal ang lakad ko at malayo pa ang distansya sa kanya. When he looked to me, di ko na maitago ung takot ko. Napatigil ako sa pwesto ko.
Granny is in there. She's sick. Enough for her to collapse that night. Alam kong konti nalang, maiiyak na ako. I can't face Granny like this... she'll just worry about me.
Huminga ako nang malalim. Mahina kong sinampal ang magkabilang pisngi ko. Nang makita iyon ni Sir Greg ay natawa siya. Nilapitan niya ako at hinawakan sa palapulsuhan ng kanang kamay ko at marahang hinigit palapit sa kwarto ni Granny. While he was doing that, he was smiling gently at me.
"Everything's gonna be alright, okay? Now calm yourself. I'm sure Granny will be happy to see you."
I nodded at him. He then opened the door to the room. Nagsipaglingunan ang mga naroon sa kwarto nang dumating kami. Si Nadia ay nasa may sofa at nag-aayos ng mga gamit doon. Si Gretchen naman ay nakaupo sa tabi ni Granny na ngayon ay kumakain sa may kama niya.
"Sandy, hija!"
Pumasok na kami sa kwarto at sinalubong ko ng ngiti ang bati ni Granny.
"Hi, Granny. I missed you."
Pagkalapit ko sa kanya ay niyakap ko siya patagilid at hinalikan siya sa kanyang sentido.
Si Sir Greg naman ay lumapit kay Nadia para i-abot ang mga prutas na dala niya. Napansin naman ito ni Granny.
"Nako, Gregorio. Nag-abala ka pa."
"Para sa inyo po, G--"
Muntik na akong matawa. Nagkatinginan kami ni Sir Greg. Agad-agad naman niyang itinuloy ang sasabihin niya.
"--D-doña Milagros! Doña Milagros. Yes, it's my gift for you."
Kabado siyang tumawa pagkatapos nun. Ako'y humagikhik na lamang para di siya mapahiya.
Sir Greg was used to saying "Granny" whenever we talk about my grandmother. When I introduced them for the first time, his tongue slipped and he call my grandmother Granny, much to the suprise of the latter. Granny joked about it and said that only her grandchildren can call her that. Either you become part of the family or call her Doña Milagros.
Since then, Sir Greg didn't dare to call her Granny. I don't know if he's intimidated or what. I mean, I feel like Granny won't mind now since they're already close, but it's always funny to see him panic like this.
