University Student

Chapter Four: FIRST AID

Chapter Four: FIRST AID

Seeing that expression shouting pain

I may not want to get out the lane

What you needed was saving

There's no need to know my name

Syl's POV

OUT THE ZONE with Mama today.

Nasabi ko na sa kanya right before she left home a week ago na ite-take ko na yung exam for homeschoolers para maka-pasok na talaga ako next school year. I just hope na enough ang natutunan ko in order na mag-match ang grade level sa edad ko. Though Teacher Daisy taught me everything I should know for the last two years, I am still not 'that' confident enough, especially because of the change in the Educational System.

"Syl, you okay?" So I'm obvious? Nasa bagong Mitsubishi Expander kami ni Mama at kanina pa talaga ako hindi mapakali—kanina pa ako kinakabahan, namamawis ang kamay ko kahit naka-on naman ang aircon ng sasakyan. Nahihilo na rin ako, parang gusto kong lumuwa. 

"I honestly don't know, Ma. I think I need to consult a doctor." I said resting my head before adding, "A psychologist to be exact." 

"What?!" We almost got crashed. Nasa main lane kami at saktong tumigil yung sasakyang nauuna sa amin pagkasabi ko ng 'psychologist'. All good na muli itong umandar bago pa man dumampi ang front ng kotse ni Mama sa likod nito. 

"Ma, gusto mo po bang sabay na tayong mahimlay?!" Ba't ba kasi ang daldal mo Sylvia? Napasapo ako ng noo sa ingay na ginagawa ng pagbubusina ng ilang driver na nakasunod sa amin.

"Ba't ba kasi hindi ka man lang nag-alangan? Thank God hindi tayo natuluyan." Muling nag-drive si Mama at this time, marahan na compared kanina. She keeps on complaining as we go, while I, on the other hand, didn't pay any attention to what she was saying.

*** 

When we reach the mall, I insisted na 'wag munang tumuloy sa doktor ngayong araw kahit pinagpipilitan ni Mama. Salamat sa isa niyang kasosyo na biglang lumitaw sa gitna ng pagtatalo namin, nakalusot ako in just a matter of seconds. 

"So Sylvia... Ano na ang gagawin mo?" I asked myself as my eyes roam around the place. Hindi ko alam pero may part sa 'kin na masaya telling me that I finally went out the cage and got hold of hope and freedom. But then the back of my mind says that it is better to be in that cage where I could live without the presence of anyone—can be happy on my own and not dependent to people who'll just leave me soon, hurting. 

Engrossed with the thought, I forgot where exactly I am going until my phone buzzed. 

Mama:

I have an urgent lunch meeting to attend to. May surprise client ako fromVietnam. Just drive the car home. Be safe. I love you. 

Dahil hindi ko feel na gumala, dumiretso ako sa Supermarket at bumili ng mga junkfood. Bigla kasi akong nag-crave. Epekto yata ng kadahilanang ngayon na lang ako ulit nakapunta dito sa mall at mahigpit na pinagbabawal ni Mama ang pagkain ng sitsirya. Para kang kinawawa Sylvia, alam mo 'yun? 

After grabbing some stuff and paying for it, I went straight to where Mama's car was parked. Medyo namanhid yung kamay ko dahil sa bagal nung elevator sa pagbaba at dami nung tao sa loob. Hindi man lang inaayos ni Ate Elevator Girl ang trabaho niya. Pasalamat siya at may bitbit ang magkabila kong kamay plus I honestly felt happy today that I managed to simply zip my mouth.

"This is life!" I suddenly felt so hyped holding the steering wheel. Kino-nect ko ang phone sa speaker ng kotse via Bluetooth at pri-ness and shuffle play button. 

Then a song played...

♫ ♪We The Best Music
Another One!
DJ Khaled ~ 

Sumabay ako sa pagkanta at nagsimulang mag-drive ng dahan-dahan dahil naglo-loading ang utak ko kung saan ang tamang daan. Nakalimutan ko na kasi.

♫ ♪ Yeah, you're lookin' at the truth, the money neverlie, no
I'm the one, yeah, I'm the one
Early mornin' in the dawn, know you wanna ride now. (Let's ride.)
I'm the one, yeah. (Let's ride.)
I'm the one, yeah
And you're sick of all those other imitators
Don't let the only real one intimidate you
See you watchin', don't run outta time now 

♫ ♪ I'm the one, yeah, oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I'm the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I'm the only one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I'm the one oh-eh-oh oh-eh-oh
I'm the only one~

Nasa may intersection na ako nang masaksihan ang pagkakabunggo ng van sa isang lalaki na naka-blue shirt. Without thinking twice, binilisan ko ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan at nagmadaling ipinark malapit sa biktima. I grabbed the first aid kit near the cupboard saka lumabas sa kotse. I can feel my heart pounding against my chest and hands tremble. 

"Ahhh..." Dumadaing sa sakit ang lalaki. Hawak ng kanan niyang kamay ang kaliwa niyang siko na dumudugo. He looks like my age and his glasses are broken so probably hindi niya ako nakikita ng maayos which is visible naman sa expression ng mukha niya na parang sinusubukang alamin kung sino ako. 

Tumawag ako sa pulisya dahil hotline nila ang saulado ko at ini-report ang aksidente. Sana hindi mag-usad pagong ang pagresponde nila, someone's in need of their service. 

I kneel in front of him. "Can you sit?" Tumango naman siya bilang sagot. Dahil siko niya lang naman ang may dipirensiya, hindi ako nahirapan na pasandalin siya sa malapit na poste. 

"Let go." He quickly followed my instruction. Good... Nilagyan ko muna ng malinis na tela and spot na dumugo applying pressure on the wound saka maingat na ipinulupot ang triangular bandage into a sling para magsilbing support sa braso niya. Satisfied of my work, I stood up and went back to the car. 

Hinablot ko ang yellow pad ko sa bag pati red na ballpen at nagsulat. 

Dislocation of bones.

Hit and Run: Black Ford car, Plate No. TH1256K. 

"Mali ang ginawa mong pag-rescue. You should ask the victim first if you are allowed to help him and go tell your name." Namimilipit pa rin siya sa sakit pero nagawa niya pang mag-salita para lang pagsabihan ako. He's right. Pero I don't think my name would be necessary to keep him alive and breathing. He should be telling me how grateful he is instead of complaining.

"You need saving, not my name." Inilagay ko ang papel sa kamay niya na kanyan nang hinawakan. You need to get some manners too. 

"The school you're attending didn't teach you properly, huh?" Na-sense ko ang pangungutya sa boses niya. Biglang uminit ang ulo ko, I'm afraid it'll reach a 100 degree. My eyes squint, hands crossed on my chest, slightly pissed. I want to kick him hard! 

"I don't go to school, Mister." Narinig ko ang sirena at napatingin sa direksiyon na pinanggagalingan ng tunog. Natanaw ko ang paparating police car kaya kaagad kong linisan ko na ang lugar. 

Mahirap na. Baka kung ano-ano ang itanong nila sa akin at matagalan ako sa prisinto. I'll be busted once the news reach Mama's ears. 

As I drive away from the scene, I'm the One is still playing. Akala ko babalik ang mood ko kanina but the song failed to do so. Or I'm just too occupied by the incident?