Finding Harry (Under Revision)

The Awakening

Harry's Point of View

     Nagising ako na pakiwari ko'y bigat na bigat ang aking katawan. Nang idilat ko ang aking mga mata ay bumungad sa akin si Mommy na sapo nito ang aking kamay; ang nurse at ang doktor sa paligid ko. Galak na galak si Mommy nang unti-unti ay ginalaw ko ang aking mga daliri.

     "Honey, our son, he's awake," tawag niya kay Daddy.

     Sinuri muna ako ng doktor. Tiningnan ang vitals ko at nag-conduct ng ilang tests. Nagtanong din ito nang kaunti kaugnay sa pakiramdam ko. Pagkalipas nang halos kalahating oras ay saka ito umalis kasunod ang nurse.

     "What happened to you? You were okay that morning? Are you sick? Do we need to do a thorough check up?" tanong ni Daddy.

     "Mom, what happened?" Naguguluhan ako sa nangyayari. Para ring bumabaliktad ang sikmura ko sa amoy ng gamot.

     "You were sleeping for almost two days, dear. You were sort of in the state of comatose. God, I thought we would lost you," magaralgal na boses habang nagpapaliwanag si Mommy.

     Bakas sa hitsura ng aking parents ang pag-aalala. Natigil kami nang may kumatok sa pintuan.

     "Good Afternoon, tita! Can I come in?" bungad ni Abigail nang buksan ni Mommy ang pinto.

     "Sure, you're just in time. Harry just woken up. Come in, dear!" pagpapaunlak ni Mommy.

     "Kuya Dante, pakipasok na lang po 'yong basket of fruit," pakiusap ni Abigail sa driver niya.

     Pareho kami ni Abigail na may punto sa pagsasalita ng tagalog. We both grew up abroad pero mas matatas akong magsalita ng tagalog dahil sa pagtuturo na rin ni Yaya Alicia, so mas fluent ako ng kaunti even on accent. Even my mom knew tagalog but rarely speaks it in our home.

     "Tita, where can I put the basket?" tanong ni Abigail.

     "Hija, you can put it on the side table."

     "Kuya Dante, on the side table raw please. Thanks." pakisuyo ni Abigail.

     "Dear! Aby is here. Your Dad and I will go home for awhile. Your dad also need to take a rest," pakiusap ni Mommy.

     "Sure Mom, I'm feeling good actually. Perhaps, I'll be out later this afternoon. Thanks Mom, I love you both!"

     "Take care son," pagpapaalam ni Daddy.

     "I love you too, sweetie. Be sure to bring Abigail for dinner. By the way, Yaya Alicia is on her way here. Be good okay. Call me when you're out," pagpapa-alala ni Mommy. Tumingin ito kay Abigail. "Abigail dear, thank you for looking out for him," pasasalamat niya rito.

     "It's okay, tita. I know he can be stubborn sometimes," paalam ni Abigail.

     Umalis na sila Mommy at Daddy.

     "Thank you!" bungad ko.

     "No worries. Thank God you're now okay. You really made me, the tropas and your parents worried. Akalain mo, you've been sleeping for 2 days na. I almost fainted when I saw you lying on the ground that day," pag-aalala ni Abigail.

     "That's the problem. Hindi ko talaga maalala what just happened. As far as I can remember, I was calling you and the signal suddenly lost. Then, I can't contact you na," paliwanag ko.

     "Hayaan mo na. You're good and awake, that's all that matters for now."

     Bigla kong naalala ang date niya. "So, how was your date that day? How did it go? Don't tell me, hindi natuloy dahil sa akin?"

     "As a matter of fact, Yes! Partially, you are to blame, but he was kind and considerate to postpone the date. Besides, he wanted to meet you so he was saddened by the news. And hindi na din natuloy because of the event. You know, the eclipse?"

     "Yeah, I remember there was an eclipse that day and I bumped into this girl," pagkukuwento ko.

     "Yes, it's so overly dramatic nga. You looked like Romeo and Juliet who both committed suicide and passed out. I couldn't it help but laugh whenever I remember it. Para siyang, you know.. it's so lame." sabi ni Abigail na may halong pang-iinis.

     "Grabe ka, you know." sagot ko.

     "Seriously, makikita mo naman sa news and for your information, it gone viral . Your parents talked to the media pala to conceal your name. So, they didn't disclose your identity," dagdag ni Abigail.

     "Thank God. It's a great embarassment for the family. I could just imagine how my dad would react," saad ko.

     "Don't think that way. No one's to blame. Hindi mo naman kagustuhan 'yong nangyari 'di ba? Actually, your parents were more worried for you than the situation. Everything was settled as if nothing happened." Pilit na pagpapaintindi ni Abigail.

     "Kumusta pala si Juliet, I mean 'yong girl? Is she fine?" tanong ko.

     "The last time I heard, she was brought back to her province by her parents. May field trip daw ang school nila that day. They were suppose to meet up there. Sadly, she didn't enjoy the trip."

     "Sayang naman. Did they leave any number or identity of sorts? In case may balita about that event. It's very weird actually."

     "Beats me, I didn't bother to know. Siguro may info ang police," paliwanag ni Abigail habang inaayos ang kaunting gamit ko.

     Mayamaya ay dumating na si Yaya Alicia. Nangingilid ang luha sa mata niya at nag-aatubiling niyakap ako nang mahigpit.

     "Hey, calm down, yaya. I'm okay, see?" Dahan-dahan kong inaalis ang kaniyang braso sa pagkakayapos."Baka I might pass out pa lalo niyan."

     Inalis naman na ni Yaya Alicia ang kanyang mga braso. "Okay ka na ba anak? Wala bang masakit sa iyo? Pasensiya ka na hijo, grabe ang nerbiyos ko noong nabalitaan ko ang nangyari sa'yo," ani Yaya Alicia na may kasamang pagkataranta.

     "I'm good. Maraming salamat po sa concern," sagot ko.

     Naputol ang aming pag-uusap nang lumapit si Abigail sa aming kinaroroonan.

     "Since Yaya Alicia is already here. I guess, I can leave now?" bungad nito.

     "Ma'am Abigail, sabi po pala ng mommy niya doon ka na raw kumain ng dinner. Baka ako kasi mapagsabihan ni ma'am kung hindi ka namin kasama pag-uwi," pakiusap ni Yaya Alicia kay Abigail.

     "Okay lang po yaya, sa ibang araw na lang siguro. I think it's best na mag-bonding muna silang family. Don't worry, I'll inform tita na lang. Maybe some other day?"

     "Okay, join us na lang ni yaya na kumain sa labas before we go home. Or at least, I could offer you a coffee? Siguro naman okay na 'yon?" pakiusap ko.

     Hindi na nakatanggi si Abigail. Nagligpit muna ng gamit ko si yaya. Nang akmang tatayo na ako ay biglang nakaramdam ako nang pagkahilo. Nag-black out ang aking isipan at nabuwal ako pabalik sa hospital bed. Ilang segundo ang dumaan at nagbalik na muli ang aking ulirat.

     "Okay ka lang ba anak?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Yaya Alicia.

     "Okay lang yaya, wala ito." Pagtatakip ko dahil ayaw ko silang mag-alala.

     "Kuya Dante, we need assistance here please. Could you support me in carrying Harry inside the car?" pakiusap ni Abigail sa kaniyang driver.

     "Opo, Ma'am. Ako na lamang po ang magbubuhat," pagsunod naman nito.

     Paglabas namin sa St. Luke's Hospital ay kumain muna kami sa pinakamalapit na restaurant.

     Natapos ang gabi ay mahilo-hilo pa rin ang ulo ko. Nagpahinga na ako sa aking kuwarto. Nang mga sumunod na araw, ang inakala kong okay na ay hindi pa pala. May mga times na I'm spacing out. Is this a reverie? A dejavu? Or delusion? Pero isa lang ang alam, somewhere in between I am half-sleep and half-awaken.