Seen There, Done That (Sensara Series 1)

29

It was the same flashing lights, cold tiled floor, air, noises, and blood.

“Where is Maddox?! Where’s m-my son?!”

“Tita!” 

Malakas na atungal ang bumalot sa haligi ng hospital.

“Achie? Ang Kuya Maddox mo? Nakita m-mo ba? H-how is he? Achie! Maddox! How’s M-maddox!?!”

“Ma’am, kararating lang po namin nina Achie…” 

I remained stoic as she shook me by the shoulders. Niyakap ako ni Tita na nagtatalon at halos lumupasay na lumambitin sa leeg ko.

“Tita Chona… Tita, Maddox will be alright. I saw him and he seems alright. He’s attended immediately by a Doctor,” si Kuya Conch.

Sa kabila ay tahimik na magkayakap si Daphne at Belinda. They all arrived here first. By the looks of it…

Napapikit ako.

“Why is this happening to my sons?! Mateo! I c-can’t… ikamamatay ko na ito! Si Maddox! Si Maddox na lang!”

“Tita!”

It was the same flashing lights, cold tiled floor, air, noises, and blood.

Hindi nagtagal ay nanlupaypay si Tita Chona at agad sinalo ni Tito. 

I discreetly made my way out of the group and ran towards the comfort room.

Todo kong binuksan ang gripo na nagpalingon pa sa ilang babaeng nandoon. I washed my hands continuously with the gushing water. Walang tigil. Ulit-ulit hanggang sa humapdi na ang mga kamay ko.

I started letting out a whimper until it turned into a full blown weeping.

Napaluhod na ako sa sahig habang nakakapit sa lababo. My shoulders tremble convulsively.

“We’ve b-been here…” I croaked out.

We've been through this and more. We've experienced it all, been there, and done that.

Memories of Miki’s accident flooded in my mind. Yung ingay sa paligid. The line made from his blood on the hospital’s floor. Shouts. Everyone being hysterical. Matagal na paghihintay. Matagal at taimtim na pagdarasal… until the bomb was dropped.

“We’re truly sorry to inform you that despite our best efforts, the patient, Miki Peñaloza, succumbed to injuries sustained in his road accident. We extend our condolences to the whole family.”

Tinakpan ko muli ang mga tainga. I tried to shout so I could not hear it anymore. I almost see white as I shut my eyes tightly.

I don’t know what to feel after we heard the news about Kuya Maddox. He’s transferred to a room and woke up about nine hours later.

Lahat kami ay halos pumalibot sa kanya.

“Maddox? Si Mom ito. Are you okay? Do you need anything? Thank y-you. Thank you so much,” haplos ni Tita sa anak.

“Dox. How are you feeling?”

Si Bel ay agad yumakap sa akin at inalo ako. Pinisil ako sa mga braso at may ngiti sa labi kahit umiiyak.

“Gising na si Kuya Dox?” sulpot ni Daphne sa pinto. Si Manang ay ganoon din.

“Ano… nasaan ako? Sino? I c-can’t… see anything.”

“What…” Tita Chona shook her head. Agad lumingon sa asawa at sa amin. Her eyes immediately watered.

Kuya Conch pressed the call button as soon as we’ve heard that.

Kuya Maddox is indeed staring straight at the ceiling. Hindi kumukurap kahit nakatutok ang mga mata niya sa ilaw. His brows are furrowed and… he looks confused and disoriented.

Mahinang kumawala sa akin ang hikbi at agad kong tinakpan ang bibig.

His bruises are now a mix of red and purple. Maraming gasgas mula sa mukha at katawan.

The Doctor examine him for a while. He asked questions and everything.

“He seems to be experiencing a retrogade amnesia.”

Kumawala agad ang iyak ni Tita Chona.

“I assure you that it’s all normal after an accident. The patient seems not to remember the memories formed before his accident. And about his eyes… it’s also normal for his eyesight to be affected. We’ll observe him further.”

“Ngayon lang iyan, Doc? It will all be temporary, right?”

“We’ll see about it.”

Agad lumapit si Tita Chona sa anak. The room is now filled with stillness. But we should be thankful, right?

I cast away my eyes from his bed. Hindi maatim na makitang ganoon si Kuya Maddox.

The initial findings about him were all correct. Maging pangalan niya ay hindi niya maalala.

“Emma, thank you for all the help. Alam naman nina Mommy mo ang nangyari kay Maddox?”

“Yes, Tita. Pupunta rin sila rito.”

“If that’s the case… you could help him remember?” 

“Chona. She has personal business to attend to. Ilang araw na rin si Emma rito. Hija…”

“Tito, okay lang. Of course, Tita. I’ll help in every way I can.”

Iniuwi na si Kuya Maddox sa mansiyon. Si Emma ay kasama nga rin sa pagbabantay hanggang dito sa bahay.

“That’s what his Doctor said. Tutulungan natin siyang ipaalala ang lahat.”

“I know. Unti-unti, Chona. Maddox can’t handle everything at once.”

Tumango-tango ang matanda at lumapit sa akin.

“Achie,” yumakap siya sa akin at pinisil ako. “Pahinga ka muna sa kuwarto mo. Kami na ang bahala rito kay Maddox.”

I tap her hand genuinely. “Tita, tutulong din ako.”

“Salamat, Achie. But you need to rest. Ilang araw ka na ring walang tulog.”

“I don’t think I need that much help. Walang makatutulong sa akin.”

“Maddox,” agad lapit ni Tita sa anak at inalalayan ito.

Kuya Maddox swept away Tita Chona’s hands and he proceeded to carry himself with his wheelchair. He grew hostile and mad all the time. But we understand.

Agad nagtubig ang mata ni Tita na lumapit muli sa anak para ituro ang kuwarto nito.

His eyes are surrounded by bandage. He’s still frail so he’s in a wheelchair. Kahit sino’ng lumapit ay nakatatanggap ng pagsusungit ni Kuya Maddox. Laging mainit ang ulo at ayaw kaming palapitin.

“Achie, kami na rito. You should rest,” pigil ni Tito sa akin.

Si Emma ay tumakbo na palapit sa mag-ina. 

“I said I don’t need your help!”

I took a step forward. Kuya Maddox’s sudden outburst made us all still. Si Tita ay narinig na agad ang hikbi. Si Manang ay hindi na rin makalapit sa alaga.

“Maddox, si Emma ito. We’re just escorting you to your room then we’ll leave. I promise,” maamo niyang wika.

I silently ran towards them and open the door to his room. Pumaling ang ulo ni Kuya Maddox sa nagawa kong ingay.

“Achie, okay na iyan. Thank you, hija. Dito ka na,” tawag sa akin ni Tita.