"Are you okay? Do you need anything?" Mahinang napatawa si Joy nang makaisang beses pa akong nagtanong sa kanya. That was the same question that I have been asking since she woke up but I kept on asking it subconsciously. I was worried like hell. Natatakot akong baka kung ano na naman ang mangyari sa kanya.
We stared at each other for a while. Napaiwas lang siya ng tingin nang may kumatok sa pinto. Seconds later, bunch of doctors came inside holding bouquets of flowers as they bow their heads. "Sorry po!" Sabay-sabay na saad nila, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa mga paa, nahihiyang tumingin sa babaeng kaharap.
"We are wrong for not doing our jobs right. I am giving you the permission to do the right thing. We will accept the punishment!" One of the doctors uttered, seconded by his subordinates. I was just there, listening to their conversation.
Unfortunately, those doctors all concluded that Joy fell into a comatose state after not waking up for days. But in reality, her body is just healing from the shock that it suffered. It was too much to bear, idagdag pa ang bisa ng gamot sa katawan niya. She was just taking a rest but they took it on a wrong turn.
"It wasn't..." She stopped talking when they took a glance at me. I excused myself earlier and sit meters away but some of the doctors kept on taking glances over me. I was just acting as if I didn't notice because I don't want to embarrass Joy. They've been looking at me since earlier as if they haven't seen me before. Also... my attention is on my Joy. Kulang na lang ay hindi ako kumurap sa takot na baka panaginip lang 'to lahat. I was afraid to wake up that she's still lying on that hospital bed.
Joy turned her gaze towards me. Kaagad na nagtagpo ang mga mata namin. Without opening her lips, I already got her message so I excused myself and goes outside the room. I walked up until I reached the familiar rooftop. I stood behind the ledge and stare at the wide screen from another building. It was Joy's picture from afar, a proof posted by a tv channel that she's already awake. Mahina akong napatawa. No matter how tight the security is, talagang nakakalusot pa rin ang media.
I stayed there for about an hour before finally going down. Tahimik na ang paligid maging ang buong kwarto kaya walang alinlangan akong kumatok saka binuksan ang pinto. I almost jumped in shock when Joy showed up in front of me and jumped to hug me tight, leaning her head on my chest.
"Baka anong mangyari sa'yo..." Nag-aalinlngan kong saad saka maingat siyang inilayo sa akin. I was afraid I'd hurt her.
"Can we stay like this for a while?" She asked in between. Hindi ako sumagot pero hindi na rin ako umangal. Instead, I pulled her for a tighter hug as I snake my arms around her body. She grew taller but she still fits on my embrace... she still feels like home...
"I waited for this moment... akala ko hanggang sa panaginip na lang mauulit." I whispered on the top of her head. Nag-angat siya ng tingin. Her eyes were glistening. This time... it was because of happiness. I wanted to kiss her right now but I have to pull myself back. I don't want to scare her... after all, we haven't talked about it yet. Still, I was grateful to have this time with her.
"Hindi ka na galit?" Tanong niya sa akin. Tumawa ako ng mahina saka dahan-dahang umiling.
"I'm sorry for being mad... for being a coward to give up on you..." I took a pause to swallow the lump on my throat. "I know it wasn't a reason but at that time, I was clouded with emotions... na hindi ko na naisip na magtiwala sa'yo... na magtanong-"
Nahinto ako nang walang salita siyang tigil na umiling, nangingilid ang luha sa mga mata.
"Bakit ka nag-so-sorry? Ako kaya ang may kasalanan!" She chuckled lightly, tears started streaming down on her cheeks. "Ako 'yung unang bumitaw. Nahihirapan na ako pero mas nahihirapan ka. I'm sorry for not choosing you-"
