Surface Tension

20

I woke up. Disoriented ako. I’m trying to figure out kung nasaan ako. The room looks familiar.

“Good morning” Lucas greeted as he entered the room. May bitbit siyang tray.

“Bakit dito mo ako dinala?” I asked. Nasa condo niya ako.

“You’re staying here for the next few days” nilapag niya sa side table ang pagkain.

“Pwede naman sa condo ko, kasama ko naman si Manang Auring” I pointed out. “Bakit pink?” I was horrified ng makita ko yung cast ng paa ko.

“Ayaw mo ng pink?” Lucas asked.

“Lucas kalian mo ako nakita nag pink?” I pointed out.

“Meron bang color black na cast?” tanong sa akin ni Lucas kasi yun ang favorite color ko.

“Bakit hindi nalang white. Takpan mo ang sakit sa mata, neon pa!” inis na inis ako.

“Okay naman ah” he said.

“Lucas bakit hindi mo man lang ako tinanong” kulang nalang mag hyper ventilate ako. Allergic ako sa pink.

“Paano kita tatanungin? Tulog ka” he told me.

“Sana ginising mo ako” inis na sabi ko.

“The doctor had to sedate you kagabi kasi hysterical ka” he told me. I tried to remember.

“Hysterical?” I asked. My memory was still foggy.

“Delayed reaction I think” sagot niya.

“Delayed reaction saan?” I asked.

“Sa nangyari kagabi” he pointed out, “Wala ka bang maalala?” he asked.

“Yung nangyari sa radio station naalala ko hangang sa point na sinabi sa akin kailangan ko daw ng cast tapos alam ko umiyak ako” I tried to remember things.

“Kain ka na ng breakfast” sabi niya sa akin.

“I need to pee” sabi ko sa kanya. Kinarga niya ako at dinala niya ako sa banyo.

“Can you stand on one foot?” he asked. Susko paano ako iihi?

“Kaya yan” sabi ko. Binaba niya ako.  I tried to balance. Jusme ang hirap!  He was holding me sa hips. Umupo ako sa toilet.

“You’re still wearing shorts” he pointed out. Teka bakit ako naka shorts.

“Bakit ako naka shorts?” I asked.

“They had to cut your jeans” he explained.

“That was my favorite jeans!”

“Akala ko ba you want to pee?” he asked.

“Paano ako iihi, andito ka?” sabi ko. Lumabas siya ng banyo. Sinara ko yung pinto. I tried to pull down my shorts. Ang hirap dahil naka upo ako. When I finally managed to pull it down pati undies ko I did my business. Nahirapan ako mag suot. When I finally did tuwang tuwa ako. What an achievement! Tumayo ako at bigla akong nahulog. Tumama yung mukha ko sa floor. Mangiyak ngiyak ako sa sakit. Bumukas yung pinto. Kinarga kaagad ako ni Lucas.

“Are you okay?” he asked nilapag niya ako sa bed. He checked me for bruises.

“Yes” I lied pero hawak ko yung kaliwang pisngi ko.