Love Me, Susie (Completed)

Chapter Fourteen

"WELL, from the sound of it, I could say that she has thalassophobia, she has extreme fear of the ocean. It is a specific phobia that involves a persistent and intense fear of deep bodies of water such as the ocean or sea. As what I heard from you, this fear developed when she had a tragic experience resulted of losing her family in a water accident."

Tumango-tango si Jeric habang kausap ang kaibigang psychiatrist sa kabilang linya. Nasa loob siya ng sasakyan at mag-isa at nasa purple villa si Susie kasama si Pat. Lihim niyang kinausap si Pat, Tatay Pio at Manang Gloria ang tungkol sa matinding takot ni Susie sa dagat, inabisuhan niya ang mga ito na huwag babanggit sa dalaga ng kung ano tungkol dito at huwag nang pilitin ang dalagang sumama sa mga itong mag-swimming.

"Thanks, Jen," aniya sa kaibigang doktor. "Is it okay for her to live in the island?"

Iniisip na lang niyang isama ito pabalik sa Maynila. He had a condo unit in Makati, pupuwedeng doon na lamang muna sila hangga't hindi pa natatapos ang ipinapagawa niyang bahay sa Cavite.

"Most people are fully aware of the problem, Jeric. As I see it, she chose to be there and that only means that she's taking a great care of herself. She's aware that she's afraid but it's not stopping her from dealing with it in her own ways."

"I'm just afraid that it could trigger another panic or something."

Hindi na niya kayang makita pa ang takot dito na katulad niyon. It was painful to see her like that. Jen gently laughed on the other line.

"Think of it as an exposure therapy. Most people who have phobias actively avoid the object or situation they are afraid of, which can make the phobia worse. I think that this is a good thing for her. Exposure therapy works by exposing the person to their fear in a safe environment. Make her feel safe, Jeric. Na kahit nariyan lang ang nagti-trigger ng phobia, she should not have anything to worry about."

He sighed. "Make her feel safe? That I can do. Do you think it's okay to watch the sunset as like...an introduction to it?"

"Yes. It's a good start."

Nakahinga siya nang maluwang. "Thanks, Jen. I really appreciate your time. I know that you're busy and it's afternoon over there."

Nasa California ang kaibigan at humingi lamang siya nang kaunting sandali para makausap ito.

"No worries, another thing, she could walk with you on the beach, and she could try to dip her toes in the water, again, only if she's comfortable and feeling safe. Okay?"

"Got it. Thanks again, Jen. I owe you one."

Tumawa ito sa kabilang linya. "She must be really special, huh?"

"She is."

He could tell that his friend was smiling from ear to ear. "Well, she's one lucky girl. Let me know when you visit the bay area, we could check this new restaurant in SF, they have the best fish and chips."

"That sounds good. Thank you, Jen."

"Anytime, Jeric. Bye!"

Eksaktong pagbalik niya sa cell phone sa bulsa nang may kumatok sa salamin sa tabi niya. It was Susie, nakadikit ang mukha nito sa salamin na nakapag-flat sa ilong nito. He laughed. She really is indeed very special to him.

*****

NAHANAP na rin sa wakas ni Susie si Jeric para yayain itong magmeryenda sa treehouse. Siguro naman ay hindi na masakit ang tuhod nito at puwede na ulit itong umakyat sa treehouse. Gusto rin niyang magpasalamat rito at naiintindihan nito ang sitwasyon niya dahil simula nang mangyari ang trahedyang iyon sa pamilya niya, hindi na siya lumapit ulit dagat. But now, the thought of it wasn't as scary anymore dahil sa presensiya ni Jeric sa buhay niya.