D'Beasts Series #3: Mending the Scars

IKA-TATLUMPU'T DALAWA

“Hello, my dear brother!”

Hating-gabi na nang tumawag si Gianna through FaceTime. Madalas siyang nangangamusta ng ganitong oras dahil bukod sa magkaiba naman ang timezones namin ay ganitong oras din ang free time niya sa duty.

“What? I’m busy,” I said without looking at her. I’m focused on the guitar on my lap while sitting on the bed. Nasa isang phone stand naman nakalagay ang phone ko at nakaharap sa akin.

“Wow! Tumutugtog ka na pala ulit? May pinupormahan ka ‘no?”

“Wala. I’m just bored, and I need a break from studies”

I really need a break. Kakatapos ko lang magbasa at hindi ako makatulog kaya naisipan kong i-practice and gitara ko para sa gig sa Sabado.

“Need a break? Then, why not go out with your friends— Oh, speaking of friends, kumusta na iyong nabanggit mo sa akin na kaibigang bumibisita ng hospital? Is he okay?”

I stopped tuning my guitar and looked at her. “Yeah. He’s… okay”

I told myself that I’d tell Gianna everything about it, so maybe this is the right time for this? I know she’ll understand. At least that’s what I’m hoping.

“Gianna, can you keep a secret?”

She rolled her eyes and raised his pinky finger. “What secret do you want to share? I won’t tell. You know me”

“You better be,” sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. “No one should know this except you and me”

“That must be very important, then? Spill it”

Huminga muna ako ng malalim at binaba ang gitara sa aking kama. “The friend I was talking about was diagnosed with CML. You know cancer can really cost a lot, right? I transferred him to our hospital. I talked to uncle Julio about him, and he agreed to help. I… I paid everything”

“What?!” she looked shocked. “A-Are you out of your mind? I mean… where did you get the money? Don’t tell me you used your trust funds”

“I did. Although uncle told me that it wasn’t really necessary, I still did anyway. Ayokong samantalahin ang kakayahan at propesyon nila”

“Oh no! Bryle Henry, you’re out of your mind! And you still want this to be kept secret, huh? Mom and Dad will surely know! Yes, that account is in your name, but I know they’ll know this eventually”

“Don’t be hysterical. Six digits lang ang nabawas, Gianna”

“And how will you explain that to Mom and Dad? Na gumastos ka ng six digits sa isang araw lang? Goodness! You’re spoiled”

I sighed. “That’s why I told you this, so you can cover me up. After all, what I did was right. Dapat nga ay matuwa pa kayo dahil tumutulong ako. Ganito naman ang gusto niyo para sa akin, hindi ba?”

“Henry, I understand, okay? It’s just that, hindi ko akalaing you can do that kind of thing. You’re a good friend. But don’t you think they’re taking advantage of you dahil lang alam nilang mayaman ang pamilya natin?”

I furrowed my eyebrows and clenched my jaw at her accusations. “I know them better, Gianna. They’ve become my family, and those six fucking digits are nothing compared to the help they gave me when I was struggling, to the comfort they made me feel when I was alone, and to the support they’ve shown me when I was so down.”

I didn’t just help Top; I helped Bien, who was there for me every time. We are family, and I don’t care if I lose everything that money can buy as long as I have them.  Mas naramdaman ko pa ang pagmamahal ng isang pamilya sa kanila kaysa sa totoong pamilyang meron ako.

“I know, I’m sorry. I was just worried”

I tried to calm down and nodded a bit. “Just don’t say that again. I helped them, and they owe me nothing”

“Yes, brother. Don’t be mad at me,” she pouted. “Hindi kita isusumbong. Ako na ang bahala kung magtanong sila”

“I’m not mad. I’m just pissed. They didn’t ask for my help. They didn’t even know that I helped them financially. I paid for everything and told uncle not to tell them about it. Ang alam ng mga kaibigan ko ay pumayag si uncle na bayaran ang gamutan anytime they can”

Napanganga siya sa gulat at napakurap pa. “A-And why didn't you tell them about it?”

“Hindi sila papayag. Mas okay pa sa kanila kung unti-unting bayaran kaysa ako lahat ang magbayad”

“Edi ganoon din! They’ll still work, so they can pay! Paghihirapan pa rin nila! Anong sense nang tulong mo kung babayaran din naman nila? Ano iyon, pinautang mo lang? Are you even thinking?”

Ano naman ang magagawa ko kung ayaw nga nilang tanggapin ang tulong ko? Tsk.

“You think gagamutin siya sa isang private hospital kung wala silang pera? Hindi siya maaagapan kung hindi gagamitan ng pera. Kung hihintayin pang makaipon bago magpagamot ay baka nasa blast phase na lang ang cancer, hindi pa nalalapatan ng lunas”

“But… you already talked to uncle about it, you said. Magagawan naman ng paraan kahit hindi na mag bayad—”

“Yes, pero ayokong isiping sa atin ang hospital na iyon kaya ayos lang na may ipagamot akong walang bayad dahil lang gusto ko. I know it doesn’t work that way. Ayokong maging unfair. Kahit ako ang maisugod sa sarili nating hospital, I’m sure Mom will pay too, because the money isn’t just for the whole establishment but also for the services of the workers, the security they provide, and the medicines they give.”

“I get your point. But then you said they’d still pay, hindi lang agad-agad. Saan naman sila kukuha ng pera if ever?”

Do I still have to tell her this?

“Would you keep this a secret too?”

“Oo na! I can’t believe you have too many secrets”

I smirked. “We came up with the idea of having a band. You know, performing here and there”

“A band?! Now I know! Kaya pala hawak mo na naman iyang gitara mo! Ang akala ko ay may pinopormahan ka na talagang hindi mo sinasabi sa akin!”

Parang ganoon na nga. Pinopormahan.

“We’ll play at different gigs, and we’ll earn money”

“At ang pera, saan mapupunta? Pabalik sa iyo? Tumutulong ka sa pag earn ng perang mapupunta rin sa iyo?” she laughed and shook her head.

“Hindi ko tatanggapin. The money that we’ll earn will either go to any charity or I’ll tell them to just keep it. Para saan pa ang tulong ko kung babawiin ko rin?”

“Nice plan, huh? Medyo magulo and confusing but I still get your point. Ang masama niyan ay pag nalaman nilang nagsisinungaling ka lang. Pinapaikot mo sila at pinapahirapang mag trabaho kahit pa wala na naman talaga silang dapat pang bayarang hospital expenses. Sabagay, tumutulong ka naman magtrabaho, hindi ba? But you think they’ll understand your point of view?” she said with a hint of sarcasm.

I admit… she’s right. Fuck! Am I a bad person for lying? Nakaramdam ako bigla nang panglalamig sa aking sikmura. Will they be mad at me for keeping this? Or will they understand me like they always do? Pakiramdam ko ay maiintindihan naman nila ako kung bakit mas pinili kong gawin ito. My intentions are good, and I shouldn’t be worried.

“Think, brother. Think”