CHAPTER IV
I am lying in my hospital bed thinking of the things that happened for the past few weeks when I heard three knocks on my door. Afterwards the knob twisted and the door open slowly. I wasn’t surprised in that time because I already knew the visitor that wanted to visit me. He did this for so many times and I always nagged at him, shouting and commanding him to never go back again. But this time is so different. I see in his face that he never had a proper sleep. He looks so old and problematic. My wooden heart is softened by a glimpse of him. His eyes conquered my whole being, very attractive.
He slowly walks towards the sofa bed which intended for my visitors who wanted to stay overnight until he reached the right side of my bed. He sits near beside me. He spends his 10 – 15 minutes just staring at me. The tears in his eyes are about to fall but he controls his emotions very well. He wanted to speak but there are no words came out to his kissable lips. He bows his head for a minute, taking a deep breath that seems he is just giving himself a lot of courage to speak before me.
“I am really sorry…!” He uttered while his head down.
“I never wanted to hurt you… I knew it was my fault… My sorry is not enough to bring back your lost left foot… But deep in my heart I honestly accepting that this accident was truly my fault…!” He said looking to my eyes.
“I will do anything para makabawi ako sa’yo…! kahit gawin mo akong katulong mo for the rest of your life gagawin ko…! Kung pwede ko nga lang ipalit sayo itong kaliwang binti ko bakit hindi…! I don’t want to suffer in my conscience dahil wala akong ginawang paraan para mapatawad mo ako…!” He paused for a moment.
Sa mga sinabi niyang iyon, I knew he was sincere to those things. I don’t remember some but there is one thing na talagang tumatak sa isipan ko. “I will do anything para makabawi ako sa’yo…!”
Bigla kong naalala ang ginagawa kong case study. He is my subject anyway kaya may bigla akong naisip na plano.
Hindi pa din siya nagsasalita kaya I started to speak.
“What’s your name?” I said with my soft voice in a calm tone.
He looks at me na parang nabigla sa tanong ko. Maybe nagtaka siya kung bakit hindi ko siya sinigawan. He never expected na tatanungin ko siya ng malumanay. Actually na pagisipan ko naman na na patawarin siya. Wala din namang mangyayari kung ipagpapatuloy ko ang magalit sa kanya. It doesn’t change things that already happened. Yun nga lang dahil sa sinabi niya may naisip tuloy akong plan. Hindi parin siya nagsalita so I decided na ulitin na lang ang tanong ko.
“What’s your name?” This time I give him the best and sweetest smile I ever have.
“I am Leonard Jhursen delos Angeles.”
“Age?”
“23.”
“Still studying?”
“I have work.”
“And what is it?”
“I am an architect. I owned a small construction company.”
“Ohhh… I see… Ahmmm… Status?”
“Single.”
“Hindi Halata…” I whispered.
“What did you say?” Halatang narinig niya ang bulong ko.
“Never mind. You don’t have the right to ask. Clear?!” Maldita kong sabi with raising my left eye brow.
“Ok. Ok. Ok.” Nakataas pa ang kamay niyang turan.
“Good…! How do you view life?”
ha… ha… ha… I am lacking of questions to be asked.
“Hmmmm… Don’t know… Why don’t you try to give me a slum book to answers all the questions there or I’ll give you my curriculum vitae nalang kaya…” Nakangti niyang sabi.
Nahiya naman ako sa sinabi niya. But I realized na tama siya lahat ng tanung ko eh can be found sa slum book. But I still composed myself trying to hide the feeling of “Pagkapahiya”.
“Don’t act as if we’re close…!” Mataray kong sabi sabay irap.
Hindi siya nagsalita. Namula ang kanyang mukha at halatang napahiya siya. Well bawi na ako. Finally I decided to tell him about my plan and I don’t want “NO” as his answer.
“Anyway, you told me awhile ago that you are willing to do anything for me, right?”
He seems so frightened. Hindi niya yata inaakalang maaalala ko ang sinabi niyang iyon. Muhkang pakitang tao lang ata itong gwapong kumag na ito. I thought to myself.
But one of a sudden he changes his aura and courage can be seen to his eyes.
“What is it? Just tell me and I’ll do anything to make it up to you…”
“Are you sure you are willing to do anything?” Paniniguro ko.
“Yes…!”
“Ok…” I paused.
“I want you to tell me everything about you. As in all about you. And bring me to the places which memorable and unforgettable to you…”
Nagulat siya.
