The Empire Series 1: Vander Lewis Rushed

21: Guilt

When we are confronted with many things, we tend to see only the bad side. Little do we realize there's still goodness in every distasteful situation. -jazlykdat

Aubrey

"There's a big chance that Dirran will become normal. He could even think and speak his mind but not 100%. However, it may take some time."

Nagkatinginan silang mag-asawa. That wasn't new to her. Iyon din ang sinabi ng dati nitong doctor.

"He would have to start sessions with an occupational speech therapist. We have the best therapists here in our clinic. Plus I get to supervise his progress." The specialist added.

"So, how long will he undergo the therapy?" tanong naman ni Vander sa espesyalista.

"It depends on his progress. We had patients who only had the therapy for a year and they can already go on their daily activities. But there are also some that takes two to three years."

"That long?" sambit ni Vander. Hindi na siya nagulat. Kapareho lang din kasi ang diagnosis ng Psychologist ni Dirran sa Pilipinas at Canada noon.

"But basing it on your child's previous therapy session records and how he responded a while ago, he might take only a year or less."

Napatango siya sa sinabi ng doctor. Nakita naman kasi niya ang progreso ng anak lalo na nang makilala nito ang ama.

"That would be really okay but we are based in the Philippines. Is there any therapist there that you could recommend who's equally good as the therapists in your clinic?"

Napangiti ang doctor sa tanong niya. She hopes it didn't sound quite insulting. Iniisip lang naman kasi niya ang sitwasyon. Nag-uumpisa nang lumago ang negosyo nila ni Lily, ayaw naman niya itong iwan sa kalagitnaan ng pag-angat nila.

"There's one whom I personally trained. I'll give you his details. But I suggest you still take him here every quarter so I could monitor." Tugon ng doctor. Nagpasalamat siya at hindi nito tinanggap ng negatibo ang tanong.

"We are going to think about it but most likely we'll have his sessions here." Vander butted in. Napatingin siya rito. Hindi na siya nagsalita pa nang makitang mukhang hindi nito nagustuhan ang sinabi niya sa doctor.

Vander was awfully silent nang nagmamaneho na ito pabalik sa hotel na tutuluyan nila. Even the kids are silent.

Dinala lang nila kanina ang mga gamit sa hotel bago nagpunta ng clinic. Apparently, Vander had everything prepared bago pa sila tumulak ng California.

The kids immediately sat on the couch when they entered the suite. The hotel suite they occupied has its own living room, dining room and two huge rooms. Sa isang room silang mga babae habang sa kabila naman ang mga lalaki. That was their set-up before they went to the clinic.

Vander occupied the single couch. Agad namang kumandong si Dirran sa ama at yumapos sa leeg nito. Umupo na rin siya sa katapat nitong single couch nang walang imik.

"I'll order food. Pick what you want." Iniabot nito sa dalawang nakatatandang anak ang menu sa table. Kinuha rin nito ang isa at binuklat.

She has nothing left to look at. Maliit na bagay pero parang kumirot ang dibdib niya. She suddenly felt out of place.

She inhaled deeply to calm herself. Deshima's already sleeping kaya ipinasok na lamang niya ang baby sa kuwarto.

 

She breathed in and out bago siya bumalik sa living room. Wala na doon sina Vander at Dirran. Desiry is already on the phone ordering food.