We Just Are (GU #1.5)

4 : blue angels

Sinamahan ko si Slade sa therapist. Mom helped us find one. Apparently, someone from her circle of friends had a daughter seeing one. At ang sabi sa kanya ay magaling 'yun. So on Friday, after class, we went there to meet the doctor.

Slade, unexpectedly, was nervous. Isa ito sa madalang na pagkakataon na nakita ko siyang hindi mapakali. Kaya naman nang marating na namin ang clinic, nag-alok akong samahan siya.

"Slade, are you okay? Do you want me to go inside with you?" tanong ko kay Slade. "I guess okay lang naman na samahan ka sa loob."

He paused and I knew that he was thinking about it. In the end, he shook his head no. "I'll be fine. It's just been too long. Naninibago lang siguro ako."

I nodded in return. I could understand him. Isa pa, ginagawa niya naman ito nang mag-isa dati. Baka nga mas mailang pa siya kapag sumama ako sa loob.

Slade held my both hands with his, his hands were still slightly shaking. I noticed too they were a bit cold. And I couldn't help myself to worry. "Slade..."

"Shhh," he cut me off. "Just let me hold you for a bit, Celestine."

"Okay," sagot ko at hinawakan din siya, pinagkrus ang mga daliri namin.

We stayed like that until Slade seemed to finally ease down. He gently pulled his hands away from me before moving them into my face to cup my both cheeks. Tiningnan niya ako sa mata bago inilapit ang mukha pababa sa akin. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang labi niya sa noo ko at dampian ng mainit na halik iyon.

"Wait for me?" Slade said after pulling away from me.

I smiled at him then nodded. "I will."

Halos isang oras din ang tinagal ni Slade sa loob. Nandoon lang ako sa labas, ginugol ang oras sa pagbabasa. Pero hindi rin naman ako makapagconcentrate sa binabasa dahil maya't maya, lumilipad ang isipan ko kay Slade. Iniisip kung kumusta na kaya siya sa loob? Bumalik ba 'yung kaba niya? O anupaman. Hindi ko lang talaga maitago ang sobrang pag-aalala.

Kaya naman nang bumukas ang pinto mula sa therapy room at lumabas doon si Slade at ang doktora ay agad akong napatayo at lumapit kay Slade.

"Hey, how was it?" agad kong tanong.

Slade blew out a breath, then he managed to give me small smile. "It was okay."

"Really?"

Slade nodded.

Mayroong tumikhim at parehong napunta ang tingin namin ni Slade sa doktora. Dra. Peralta. Iyon ang pangalan niya ayon sa nakasaad sa nametag niya.

"Sorry to interrupt but I'm just going to remind you Slade to read the booklet that I gave you," sabi ni Dra. Peralta. "Then contact me when you have thought of what your therapy schedule will be."

"Okay po, Doc," sagot ni Slade.

"Good. So see you then on your next therapy."

After Slade nodded at her, Dra. Peralta looked at me. "You're Lilly's daughter, right?"

"Yes po," sagot ko saka inabot ang kamay. "I'm CN."

Kinuha niya iyon. "Dra. Peralta. Nice to meet you, hija. Say hi to your mother for me."

"Okay po," sagot ko at doon na siya nagpaalam.

Hinarap kong muli si Slade, ngayon ay hindi ko na mapigilan pa ang ngiti sa labi.

He shot his brows up. "What's with that smile?"

I shrugged. "I'm just happy that it went well."

Slade didn't fight a small smile that was formed on his lips too as he said, "Well I am too. Thank you for talking me to it."