Echoes of the Bridge

Chapter Six

I was expecting to wake up in a different timeline after dying for the third time. Except that I didn't die.

Nakaratay ako sa isang hospital bed ngayon at hindi maigalaw ang buong katawan. Hindi dahil sa nanghihina lamang ako, kun'di dahil nagkanda-balibali ang mga buto ko sa ginawa kong pagtalon. Nakasemento at bandage and buong katawan ko habang nakabitay pa ang dalawang paa. F*ck!!

Okay, okay, don't panic. This is all just a dream. I can get away from here. Right. Generally, the rule to transition is to think of something that I regret from the past.

And so I tried to think of a past mistake that's very random makaalis lang sa sitwasyon na kinalalagyan ko ngayon. Ngunit sa pagmulat ng aking mga mata, hindi pa rin ako nakakaalis rito? Huh?

Think again. Okay. This time, I tried to think of the memories I've previously gone back to. However, even them are not working... What is happening? Is it not the way? I thought I've already figured it out? Sandali, nauubos ba 'yung tyansa na pwede kong gawin 'yon? At naubos ko 'yun sa simbahan? No way...

"Based on results, she has to stay here for at least 6 months. And we didn't know yet if by then kakayanin niya ng mag-physical therapy. It will be primarily based on her progress."

"I see, Doc. Thank you po."

It's that familiar voice again... Sir Rey! Ugh, kung 'di niya 'ko prinovoke I won't have to kill myself just to get away from him! Because if my conclusion is correct, dying in this dream will just spawn me to a different timeline.

"She's up now," Sabi ng babaeng naka-lab gown sabay tutok niya ng flashlight sa magkabila kong mata, habang winagay-way ang isa niyang kamay sa paningin ko. "Ms. Sanchez, nakikita mo ba kami ng malinaw? Respond in any way to answer."

I moaned.

"Okay good, that means you can also hear me clearly? Right?"

I just moaned again.

"Okay, thank you. I'm Doctor Gabriela, I'll be your doctor for the next 6 months. 'Wag mong pilitin ang sarili mong gumalaw, your body is in a drastic trauma. Wala ka munang ibang iisipin kun'di ang magpahinga, alright?"

I didn't respond because I can never accept that.

Nagkatinginan sila ni Rey. Bago siya muling tumungo sa akin, "Ms. Sanchez. You've been in a coma for the last three months, we're here to help you, but we need you to help yourself as well. Is that okay?"

Three months? That long? It felt like it was just... yesterday. I got teary-eyed for some reason, and just gave up a moan as an answer.

"Thank you. Mr. Domingo, you can now talk to her. If anything, just press the button to call our nurses. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Thanks, Doc."

And she finally left.

Mr. Sanchez rose from where he was sitting and approached me to the bedside.

"Ms. Sanchez, una sa lahat, I'm deeply sorry for what happened. I am here to take full responsibility for anything... for not being able to save you that day."

My eyes widened in realization. Yeah, he did not push me off that bridge. But he could've just let me die so I can transition back to... somewhere far! But he saved me, that's why I blame him. Pero ano bang gagawin ko rin kung nagtagumpay ako? More likely, I will just find a place to slumber in depression. Will probably kill myself but it's useless cause I'll just go back again. I'm like immortal in this dream, who can still feel all sorts of pain. This is meaningless.

"Papa!" Tawag ng boses ng isang batang babae sa labas ng kwarto.

"Sophie," He opened the door to let her in. May dala siyang bulaklak na mukhang napitas niya lang on her way here. And that's when I see some more flowers in a vase on the bedside table, that I guess from her as well.

"Hala, Papa! She's awake!" She seems very excited as if she's been waiting forever for me to wake up.

"Oh-oh, you can't hug her yet. She's still not well."

"Ah, I know po." She let out a sad sigh, then placed the flower she's holding inside the vase.

"Hi, Ms. Pia! Ako po si Sophie. I'm 5 years old, but I'm already in grade 1!"

This kid sure has a lot of energy.

"Sophie, let's not disturb Ms. Pia. Kagigising lang niya, kailangan niyang magpahinga."

"Okay po! I'm just really really happy you're awake now, Ms. Pia... Mama didn't."

"Sophie." He lifted her and sat her on the seat beside him. "Sorry, Ms. Pia. Sophie's mom... died in an accident two years ago. Kaya siguro naaala-ala pa niya."

It's alright. I would say kung nakakapagsalita ako.

Hindi ko rin mapigilang maalala sa batang ito ang sarili ko. Namimiss ko na naman kasi sila Mama at Papa. Pero kahit anong isip ko sa mga pinagsisisihan kong ala-ala makabalik lang sa panahon na kasama ko pa sila, hindi na ito gumagana. Naubos ko kaya 'yun talaga? Hays, napapagod na ako manghula ah.

I guess, I really have to stay here for a while until I figure it out again.

"By the way, we tried to reach your primary contacts..."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Sir Rey.

"I wasn't able to reach your fiancee, but three of your friends were able to get here that day. Bumibisita sila sa'yo tuwing sabado at linggo."

I don't know what to say, but it's a relief that he was not able to reach Carlo. And I bet my friends had thought that it's for the better as well.

"Pero nasabi ko na sa kanilang gising ka na, so we should expect them sooner." He thoroughly added.

I can only moan to respond, but if I could talk, I think he deserves a thanks after all.