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Valeri had been staring at the ceiling for a while. Natapos na ang kaniyang pag-alala sa nangyari bago niya natagpuan ang kaniyang sarili dito na nakahiga sa matigas na kama.
Nagbukas ang kurtina na nasa gilid lamang ng kama na kinahihigaan niya, and an elderly man with a hunched back and a cane entered. The cane helped him walk steadily.
The old man wore a bandana on his head and carried a small basin in one hand, along with some leaves. Halatang manggagamot ang matanda.
When he noticed that Valeri was awake, he smiled. He placed the small basin on the side and gently touched Valeri's forehead.
“Mabuti naman at bumaba na sa wakas ang iyong lagnat. I was afraid you had caught the epidemic,” the old man said softly to Valeri.
Valeri continued to gaze at the old man. So this old man must be Tandang Pago, according to the fragmented memories of the original Naseria. Ito ang unang taong nakilala ng orihinal na Naseria simula nang magkaroon siya ng muwang sa mundo.
Valeri forced herself to sit up, although her body still felt weak and tired.
When Tandang Pago noticed that Valeri was moving, he immediately helped her sit on the bed. He could see the fatigue and weakness on her face.
“Mahirap ang pinagdaanan mo, pero huwag kang mag-alala, aalagaan kita nang mabuti,” sabi ni Tandang Pago nang may pagmamalasakit.
Binuksan ni Tandang Pago ang maliit na bote na nasa loob ng bulsa nito kanina at inilagay ang mga dahon sa loob nito. Valeri was surprised to see that the leaves had drops of a peculiar liquid.
“Ano po iyan?” tanong ni Valeri gamit ang kaniyang paos na boses.
“Tawas at iba pang mga halamang gamot, anak. Ito ang mga pampatibay ng katawan at pangtanggal ng lagnat,” tugon ni Tandang Pago.
Muntik ng mapangiwi si Valeri dahil sa narinig. Ngayon niya lamang nalaman na naiinom pala ang tawas. Tahimik na napatango sa sarili si Valeri. Panibagong kaalaman ito para sa kaniya.
Nang ilapit ni Tandang Pago ang bote sa labi ni Valeri, naamoy niya ang kakaibang amoy ng mga halamang gamot. Nang ininom na niya ang likido ay napansin niyang hindi ito gaanong mapait at may halo rin itong tamis.
Kakaiba ito sa mga halamang gamot na natikman at nagawa na noon ni Valeri. Kailangan niyang matanong sa matanda kung ano ang sekreto nito sa paggawa ng gamot na hindi gaanong mapait.
After drinking the medicine, Valeri gradually felt her body gaining strength. The fatigue and weakness faded away, and she felt a comforting warmth and energy enveloping her.
“Talagang magaling ka, Lolo Pago,” sabi ni Valeri. Nagugulat parin talaga siya sa batang boses na lumalabas sa kaniyang bibig, ngunit panigurado ay masasanay din naman siya.
Ngumiti si Tandang Pago at hinawakan ang kamay ni Valeri. “Nagiging magaling ang panggagamot ko kapag ang taong ginagamot ay naniniwala sa aking kakayahan.”
Valeri smiled back. This old man was so humble. Valeri herself was talented in healing using various means, including medicinal herbs. She knew how to create medicines for different illnesses.
That's why Valeri could tell whether someone was truly skilled in healing or not. And she could sense that Tandang Pago was indeed a great healer.
As time went on, Valeri's admiration for Tandang Pago grew as she spent more time with him. Nalaman din ni Valeri na napunta pala ang kaniyang kaluluwa sa six years old na si Naseria.
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