The Way It Was - Abridged (Complete)

35

Now

TINAWAGAN ko ang ilang tao at sinabi ko ang naging pasya ko. Maagang-maaga na nasa gate na si Robyn, hila-hila ang isang malaking maleta. Idineklara niya na sa bahay na namin siya titira. Napailing-iling si Lolo Hank pero hindi rin naman tumanggi.

Dumating din sina Pippo at mag-asawang Sef at Roni. Ipinangako ng dalawang lalaki na hindi pababayaan si Lolo kapag wala ako. Paluwas rin namang talaga si Roni kaya sumabay na ako sa kanya. Mahigpit kong niyakap si Lolo Hank. Kahit na alam kong tama siya sa lahat ng mga sinabi niya at nagpapasalamat ako na itinulak niya akong gawin ang talagang gusto ko, may parte pa rin sa akin ang ayaw siyang iwan. Hindi maalis sa akin ang pag-aalala. I just promised that we were going back.

"I'll be fine," aniya habang yakap-yakap din ako. "As long as you are happy, I'll be fine. You will have so much fun." Parang utos ang huling pangungusap na ikinangiti ko.

Habang nasa daan ay bumuo ako ng plano. I was going to The Sleepwalkers concert. Tinawagan ko si James at sinabi ko sa kanya ang mga gagawin ko. He screamed for a short while because he didn't like this kind of impulsiveness, but when he calmed down and processed what was going to happen, he was supportive.

Bahagya akong nagulat nang ideklara niya na sasamahan niya ako sa Las Vegas kung saan magkakaroon ng show ang The Sleepwalkers. I thought it was fitting to reunite in the place where we got married–kahit na pareho naming hindi maalala. This time, we'd remember and I would make sure we'd remember something special.

I didn't know how James managed it, but he got us VIP tickets for the concert. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit hindi ko na lang tawagan si Roarke para may susundo sa akin at magiging smooth ang lahat. Pero gusto kong sorpresahin si Roarke. Gusto kong maranasan na maging parte ng audience.

I wanted to be on the barricade. I really needed to be up front. I needed him to see us. So I made my brother get to the concert venue early to get in line. Gusto niya akong sunduin sa airport pero sinabi ko na wala na akong hihilingin pa sa kanya sa buong buhay ko, kung gagawin niya ang sinabi ko.

"I don't understand why we have to do this," James grumbled when we finally met. He was in the line. "Can you just call him? Or should I just do it?"

Niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit at hinagkan ang magkabila niyang pisngi. "Thank you. I need this. It's a grand gesture."

"Mag-asawa na kayo, ano ba?"

Natawa ako sa Tagalog niya. Muli ko siyang niyakap. I was so grateful. Marami siyang reklamo pero ginagawa pa rin niya lahat ng hilingin ko dahil gusto niyang maging masaya ako.

"I love you, brother."

Hinagkan niya ang ibabaw ng ulo ko at bumuntong-hininga na lang. "This show should be worth it. I spent a small fortune on tickets. I'm not even kidding."

We had to wait for a long time, kaya kinumusta ko siya. Ikinagulat ko ang naging sagot niya. "I'm okay, but I'm burned out, Yani. I feel unmotivated and I don't wanna work most of the time. I'm tired most of the time. So tired. I have never felt this tired before. Not in med school or residency."

Hinaplos ko ang braso niya. "I'm sorry." Niyakap ko siya nang wala na akong ibang masabi. I felt lame. He was there when I needed someone to wake me up. He was the one who really made me realize I had a problem and I needed help.

"So I had been thinking on the plane. I actually made a decision. I'm gonna have a sabbatical."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko. "Surgeons can have sabbaticals?"

"Yes, sister dear. I've been in the same hospital long enough to be eligible. And if I have to, I'd ask Gramps for help. He won't be happy but I need a break. Or I can just resign."