Art's Downfall Memories

02

"When it hurts - observe. Life is trying to tell you something."
- Anita Krizzan

"Are you related to Artreus Bentlyrcet Javier?" the doctor asked, and I turned around to see her, she's wearing a coat and holding some papers approaching me, who was still thinking about a lot of things while sitting outside Art's room, where he was confined.

I exhaled silently, "Yes Doc, I'm his girlfriend. I already called his brother about this and he's on his way now, but I assure you I'll tell him." The doctor nodded before looking at me.

"Mr. Javier got severe post-traumatic amnesia," my tears began to flow but I wiped it immediately so the doctor won't worry about me.

"This will last for days let's say... exactly a week or a month. Let's just allow him more time to rest." I sobbed silently. "He can still remember right?" Doc Stacy nodded and hugged me lightly.

"Yes. Just be strong, Iha..."

Days passed like a bliss and as what the Doctor said, I tried to understand whatever happened these past few days and gave him more time to rest so he won't be triggered.

Noong iniwan ko siya roon ay ginawa ko na ang mga dapat kong gawin sa trabaho. Medyo marami rin akong tinapos dahil madalas akong dumadalaw kay Ben nitong nakalipas na mga araw. I worked overtime before I could head home. I decided that I will visit him later after work.

Tumingin ako sa orasan na nasa dingding sa loob ng office. It's already late, 11:15 in the evening. Tumingin ako sa paligid at halos iilan nalang kami ang natira rito. I tried to be calm so I can finish all of it for today, and I did. Natapos ko lahat. I stretched my back and rested for a while.

"Ingat, Cali!"

Nagpaalam na rin ako sa mga kasamahan ko na narito pa rin sa loob. "Goodnight everyone! Rest well. We did great today." Tinanong ko na rin sila kung uuwi na rin ba ang mga ito.

"Yes naman! Tatapusin ko lang 'to, don't worry, malapit na." Sam said. Balak ko na rin sana siyang isama sa 'kin but she insisted that she can manage. Mag bo-book nalang siya mamaya o di kaya ay sasabay sa boyfriend niya.

Pumara na ako ng taxi at napagdesisyunang dumiretso sa hospital kung saan nakaconfine pa rin si Art ngayon. "Dito po, Ma'am?" Kuya asked me. "Yes po, Salamat Kuya!" Nagbayad na ako at bumaba.

"Walang anuman, neng..."

I don't have any foods with me since sarado na rin ang iilang fast food chains na nadaanan ko papunta rito.

I'm sure that his family brought him foods earlier. And I was not wrong. I slowly entered the room and saw him peacefully sleeping. Wala nang ibang bisita rito, nadaaanan ko nalang ang ibang nurses na nag ro-roam.

"Hi," napadilat ako at gulat na napataas ang tingin sa kaniya habang nakaawang ang labi. He glanced at his phone's lockscreen to see what time is it now. I saw the wallpaper and it's the painting we made years ago, it was our hand prints. I smiled bitterly.

"It's late, did you eat already?" He asked.

Hindi pa pala ako nag di-dinner, but I am totally fine. It's already midnight and I planned to go home as early as I can. Maybe around 5 in the morning.

Nakaidlip ako habang hawak ang kamay niya at ito pala ang ginawa kong unan. "Does your neck hurt? I can sleep on the couch, and you can sleep here so you'll be comfortable." I smiled a bit, he is concerned. How I missed the previous us.

3 am na rin noong nagising ako dahil kay Art. My phone vibrated and I'm sure he didn't heard it since my bag is just close from the couch. I woke up with a blanket covering me, sa couch na ako natutulog and it's more comfortable. Nakasarado rin ang ilaw.

I silently stood up and folded the blanket and fixed myself quick.

Lumapit ako kay Art, I kissed his forehead before I silently walked away, turning off the lights again. When I was about to leave the room, the door knob clicked and it created a sound.

"You'll leave now?" I heard even though it's just a whisper.

I made sure that the door is locked without him noticing I already left. Maybe it's just an imagination.

Nadadaanan pauwi sa apartment na tinitirahan ko ang simbahan. Huminto muna ako ro’n saglit at nagdasal.

Asking if do we really deserve to experience this. Why do we have to deal with pain in our lives?

Lumuhod ako sa loob ng simbahan para humingi ng tawad at kalakasan sa Kaniya.

________________

"Lord, guide is on the path you are taking us to. I trust you with all my heart. I surrender you my worries everyday. Thank you for the strength you have given me. May you guide our relationship, and if we're meant for each other, please... show it to us and if not, I hope we'll find ourselves sooner but this will be the greatest downfall."