One Last Time

Kabanata XXVI: TRADE SHOW

TRADE SHOW.

___________________________________________

"Dear...please just keep your eyes open..." Tita Norin's strained voice next to mine is begging. It couldn't hide the exhaustion on it, as if she had run a mile.

Pinilit ko siyang nilingon. I saw her frightened and worried face.

"Stay awake, dear...parating na ang daddy mo..." Halos wala akong maintindihan sa sinabi ni Tita Norin. Her words are slurred, filled with panic and intense fear that I can't quite grasp. And why's she here with me? Bakit ako nakahiga? Sa pagkakaalam ko ay nasa sasakyan ako, kasama ko sila Irinne at Anja.

"I'm really sorry, Ms. Yturralde, pero matatagalan bago mo mailakad ulit ang isang paa mo."

Marahas na singhap ang kumawala mula sa'kin. It feels like my body and mind are not working together as cold sweat drips down my forehead. Bukod sa mga labi ko, nanginginig na rin ang buong katawan ko. I just woke up from a severe headache at ito agad ang narinig ko pagkagising.

"W-What did you say, D-Doc?" I managed to ask the orthopedic doctor in a shaky voice. I heard him clearly, but my brain refused to accept what he said, so I needed him to repeat it, just in case I misheard.

"Your left leg got crushed between the dashboard and seat, resulting in a comminuted tibia fracture. This kind of fracture takes a year or more to heal."

RING NG CELLPHONE ko ang gumising sa akin ng tanghaling 'yon. Kinapa ko 'yon sa ibabaw ng bedside cabinet ko. I opened my left eye para tingnan kung sino ang tumatawag. As soon as I saw Desserae's name on the screen, agad kong sinagot ang tawag.

"Hello..." I greeted in a frail voice.

"Kei...how are you? Are you still sick? Sorry ha, medyo busy kasi kami sa firm kaya hindi ka namin madalaw."

I sighed weakly. "It's fine. I can take care of myself. Besides, someone's also going to look after me."

"Ganun ba? Nag-aalala si Ms. Aya sa'yo. Magpagaling ka raw agad."

"I will," I said fraily. "Tell her I'll come to work as soon as I feel better."

"No! Pumasok ka kapag magaling ka na talaga-ow! The client is calling me, Kei. Sige na, I'll end this na. Goodbye!"

Hindi na hinintay ni Rae na makasagot ako, binaba na niya ang tawag. Ibinalik ko na lang ang cellphone ko sa ibabaw ng cabinet at nagtalukbong ng kumot. Pero napangiwi ako nang maramdaman ko ulit ang mamimigat sa ulo ko, like a big rock was placed on top of it.

I growled as my head continued throbbing. Nasusuka ako pero wala akong lakas para pumunta sa banyo kaya dumukwang na lang ako sa gilid ng kama. Wala rin namang lumalabas.

I've been sick for three days, kaya tatlong araw rin akong hindi nakapasok sa firm. I caught this nang maulanan ako pauwi galing sa site. It was raining hard that day, and I was tired, hungry and sleep-deprived-a perfect storm for getting sick.

Ginising ako ng kumakalam kong sikmura mula sa ilang oras na pagtulog. Marahan akong umupo sa kama at umusog palapit sa gilid ng kama pero napangiwi ako nang umikot na naman ang paningin ko. Sinapo ko ang isang bahagi ng ulo ko at kinuha ang walking stick ko sa gilid ng kama. Kahit nahihilo ay tumayo na ako at lumabas na ng room ko.

Ingat na ingat ako sa pagbaba ng hagdan. I'm holding onto my walking stick with one hand and gripping the handrail with the other. Not only is my left foot not in good condition, but so is my right foot. My knees on both legs are feeling weak and wobbly. Isang maling tapak lang ay gugulong ako pababa!