One Last Time

Kabanata XL: RESTRAINING ORDER

Restraining Order.
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WITH THE SOUND OF THE MONITOR softly beeping in the background, nagising ako sa mainit na palad na humahaplos sa noo at buhok ko. Sa pagmulat ko, nakarinig ako ng pag-singhot bago unti-unting luminaw sa paningin ko si Mom na nakaupo sa metal chair sa gilid ng kama. Near her is Andrei, who's standing by the window, arms folded, and the diffused sunshine from the curtains illuminates his anxious expression as he looks at me.

Mom cleared her throat, getting my attention.

"You're awake..." Pilit ang ngiting sabi ni Mom nang salubungin niya ang tingin ko. Doon ko lang napansin ang namumula at nanlalalim na mga mata niya, halata ang pagod at puyat.

"How are you feeling?" Masuyong tanong ni Mom na tumayo na at nilapitan ako sa kama.

Inusog ko ang katawan ko paakyat sa headboard ng kama at sumandal doon. "I-I'm alright, Ma..." I half-smiled, my voice hoarse from just having woken up.

Tumango si Mom saka ngumiti. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

I tightened my lips together. I'm still feeling drowsy from the surgery and experiencing some discomfort near the incision on my left leg.

"Keira?" untag ni Mom sa'kin nang hindi pa ako sumagot sa kanya.

With a forced smile, I turned to her. "I-I'm not hungry, Ma. I'm not thirsty either. Maybe later," sagot ko.

Tumango-tango si Mom. "Okay. Just let me know if you feel hungry or thirsty."

I nodded back in response.

"Dr. Reyes was here earlier to check on you, but since you were asleep, sa'kin na lang siya magbilin. She'll check on you again tomorrow."

Nginitian ko lang si Mom sa sinabi niya. After a moment, I asked, "Uhmm, si Tita Norin?"

"She's on her way. I just texted her that you're up. Your dad is with her."

My eyes went to Andrei when he answered my question. Nilapitan na rin niya ako sa kama at umupo sa tabi ko, sa tapat ni Mom. Dalawa na sila ni Mom na nakaupo sa gilid ng kama ko.

"How are you, sis? Do you feel any pain?" he asked.

Inilingan ko lang siya at naalala ang mga nangyari ng araw na dumating si Mom.

We waited for Mom to wake up in the living room. Andrei and I were sitting facing each other, quietly waiting for Mom to wake up and come downstairs. It was already six o'clock. Sa mga oras na 'yon, tapos ng tumawag ni Tita Norin at nagtanong about kay Mom.

"Keira?"

Andrei and I both jumped up at Mom's voice from upstairs. Mabilis namin siyang nilingon at nakitang nakatayo siya sa unahan ng hagdan.

Nagsimulang bumaba si Mom. Andrei was about to approach her, but she gestured for him to stay. Pero mapilit si Andrei, lumapit pa rin siya sa hadgan at doon na lang hinintay si Mom na tuluyang makababa. Ako naman ay matamang pinapanood lang ang pagbaba ni Mom.

"How are you feeling, Ma?" bungad ni Andrei kay Mom nang tuluyan itong makababa.

Hinarap ni Mom si Andrei. "I'm feeling fine."

Tumango si Andrei. "By the way, Mom, why are you here? I thought you were still on a medical mission," he asked Mom curiously.

Mom shot Andrei a serious look at parehas na lang kami nagulat ni Andrei nang lumipad sa pisngi niya ang palad ni Mom.