Therrie's Thirty Days of Temperamental Cycle

Chapter 18: Gratefulness

Maagang nagising si Therrie, this is unusual from the past few weeks na pinipilit niyang hindi magising. She wishes not to pero ngayon, parang wala na naman siyang kawala so she has to go with whatever might happen today. Because every goddamn day for Therrie is full of uncertainty. She'll just ended up getting surprised for the things she was capable of.

Nang marinig ni Therrie ang ingay sa pasilyo, hindi kaagad siya sumunod sa agos ng mga tao sa labas. Ngayon, nararamdaman na niya ang pangungulila. It felt like it was wrong that they sent her back inside this facility.

Ang gusto lang naman ni Therrie ay malaman kung anong kondisyon niya at hindi maging subject sa kung anong gustong tuklasan ng mga doctor. They might be playing with her right now. That she's only a subject for the means of their names. If they found out the real condition of Therrie, it would make a huge impact in their name especially in the books.

Therrie has no idea where this would lead to, but she just hopes they will find an answer to her cycled burden.

The noise in the hall didn't subside so she just get up from the bed and walk towards the door. Nang tuluyan siyang lumabas, she was expecting that Bianca will storm in her way out and will start bothering her for the rest of the day, but she found no trace of Bianca around. She thought she could be sick and hadn't gotten up yet or maybe something else.

"Therrie," pagtawag ni Benji sa kanya. Humahagikgik namang lumapit ang binata sa kanya. "Sama ka sa amin sa canteen. Birthday ko ngayon, natataandaan mo ba?"

Kung sasagutin niya ng diretsyo si Benji and get sad about it, she will just making herself feel bad about it. Kaya naman ay ngiti na lang ang itinugon nito.

"Oo nga pala, ngayong araw pala 'yon," aniya. "Happy birthday, Benji!"

Niyakap ni Therrie si Benji bilang dagdag sa pagbati nito. Makikita naman sa reaksyon ni Benji na nasiyahan siya at naalala ni Therrie 'yon—though that was the opposite thing for her, but she can play it out throughout the day since she has nothing to do around, but be around this people.

Umalis din naman sa pagkayayakap si Therrie at tinapik ang balikat nito.

"So, ilang taon ka na nga ulit?" tanong ni Therrie sa kaibigan habang naglalakad patungo sa canteen.

"24 na!" masigasig nitong tugon sa dalaga. "Ang tanda ko na ba?"

Umiling si Therrie sa kaibigan. "Hindi 'no. Aging is normal and as we grow old, we get to be matured at things and in life. Alam kong marami pang mangyayari sa buhay mo so be grateful about it..."

Saying those words, Therrie wants it to be sincere, but her feelings contradict everything.

"Thank you..." Ngiti pa ni Benji. "And you should be grateful na nandito ka ulit!"

Walang naisagot si Therrie sa kanya. She just pressed her lips and didn't mind responding to what he said. It just made the scene awkward so they both just went to the canteen and found the others who are waiting for Benji. Sinalubong naman siya ng pagbati. May isang kitchen staff pa na nagdala ng cupcake at kandilang nakatusok dito just to celebrate his special day. Everything seems good and happy for each and every one.

Sinamahan na lamang niya ang mga kaibigan sa mesa habang ang isip niya ay naliligaw sa kung anong sinabi ni Benji sa kanya kanina. She couldn't be grateful if she was sent back into this hellhole. Kahit naman hindi naman ang pagiging grateful niya ngayong araw, she thinks that she won't look at it on a brighter side dahil ang pagbabalik niya sa loob ng health facility na ito ay hindi gawing parang tahanan.

She was detained, being observed, and a subject of uncertainty.

She cannot be thankful about it—about her life.