The Write One To Love

19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Lucho

"MR. ILLUSTRE, hindi na biro ang mga paalala ko sayo. Kailangan mo na ipatingin ang nakitang tumor sayo. Don't you want to live longer? You haven't find that one significant person in your life, right?"

Napakamot ako sa aking kilay pagkarinig ng palasak na linya ni Dr. Ancheta mula sa kabilang linya. Nangungulit na naman siya na ipatingin ko ang tumor sa utak ko para magka-alaman na kung mabubuhay ba ako ng matagal o hindi na. I glanced at Amelié who's holding a bouquet of flowers with small teddy bear and a chocolate bar. Purple warmth ang tawag ng shop na nabilhan ko sa bouquet na iyon nasa sinamahan lang ng extra freebies. It's a beautiful flower arrangement of pink gerberas, carnations and mums, perfect for today's occasion.

"I'm free on Wednesday this week. I will go there, but you have to ensure you'll give the accurate result because it's my life we're talking about here." Kinawayan ko si Amelié nang kumaway at ngumiti siya sa akin. "There are two important people I need to be in my life. So, I'll take the gamble now."

"I'll schedule your check-up right away, Mr. Illustre. Salamat!"

Those were the last words of Dr. Ancheta before I ended up our call. Ang doktor ang pinaka-maaga kong caller ngayong araw. Masasabi ko na swerte siya dahil napapayag niya ako na magpatingin sa kabila ng kapalpakan niya. I'm taking the gamble again for Amelié and Audrey - they're the two important person in my life now.

"Are you ready, Amelié?" tanong ko sa bata nang malapitan ko siya.

"I have the chocolate, the flowers, and the teddy bear with me now," Amelié answered, showing everything inside her bouquet.

May maliit na teddy bear doon at isang bar ng chocolate na sinama as freebies sa pag-order ko kanina. Mabuti na lang at kumpleto sa flower shop na pinuntahan ko. Malapit lang din iyon dito sa venue ng book signing event ng mga bagong writer ng CPPI at kasama doon si Audrey.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Amelié,"

"I like Audrey, that's why."

"You like her now? I thought you hated her before,"

"That's before, Lucho. I like her now because she's always sharing her food, cooking for me, and teaching me how to read."

Nalaman namin ni Audrey na walang pormal na pag-aaral itong si Amelié sa kabila ng edad. Kaya kailangan ko isailalim sa ladderize program ang bata upang makapasok ito sa grade na akma sa edad ni Amelié. Basically, Amelié knows how to read because she easily escaped the foundation and rode taxi to CPPI to find me. Alam ko na hindi ako mahihirapan sa kanya pagdating sa pag-aaral.

"Ang babaw mo naman,"

"I'm not mababaw!"

See? She can understand some Tagalog words too.

"Come on now. My future is waiting for us inside,"

"She's still confused, you know? She always raked her hair with two hands." Hindi magawang imuwestra sa akin ni Amelié pero na-i-imagine ko naman na iyon. "Hold this and I'll show you."

"No need. Let's go now, Amelié."

Inakbayan ko si Amelié at inaya na pumasok sa venue. CPPI invited the fans of every writer in the new gem team. Marami-rami din dumalo ngayon at halos mapuno nga itong venue na nirentahan ng kumpanya. Karamihan ay fans ni Audrey na tingin ko'y ngayon lang niya makikita dahil laging sinasabi sa akin na 'di siya sikat.

"Lucho!" sigaw ni Gerold nang makita akong pumasok sa loob. "Are you aware of the little fanwar between Greychan fans and Jersey fans?"

"Nope. Medyo nahuhuli na ako sa balita ngayon. Nag-aaway na ba sila ngayon physically?"