His Revenge

HR II - Chapter 36: Two-Faced

Red's POV

"Red, anak, nakapag-ayos ka na ba?" tanong sa 'kin ni Mama.

"O-Opo," sagot ko naman.

"Tara na. Kailangan nating pumunta nang maaga sa ospital. May lakad daw ngayong hapon si Dr. Villegas," sabi pa niya.

Nagpaubaya na lang ako nung hinawakan ni Mama ang kamay ko. Naglakad kami palabas ng village bago kami sumakay ng taxi papunta sa ospital.

"Ayos ka lang ba? Ba't parang hindi ka masyadong kumikibo?" tanong ni Mama.

"Okay lang po ako," I said lifelessly.

I just silently stared outside the taxi's window, not recognizing the blurs and shapes passing in front of me.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly but I didn't feel any heat. The streets were packed with vehicles and people but I heard nothing, not even a single noise. My senses have failed to recognize the existence of the world around me.

I was alone. I am always alone in my own world; in a world where nothing exists but blood and tears; in a world where nothing exists but me and them, the people who made my life a mess.

The taxi stopped.

"Nandito na tayo," sabi ni Mama.

She held my hand tightly before walking straight into the building. In a matter of few minutes ay nakatayo na kami sa harap ng isang puting pinto.

"You'll behave, okay?" sabi ni Mama habang nakahawak sa door knob.

I nodded.

She opened the door and led me inside.

White shapes. Voices. Buzzes.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Guvera," sabi ng boses ng doktor ko.

"Good afternoon, Doc," bati naman ni Mama.

I felt a hand push me gently towards a chair.

"So, kumusta na ang anak ninyo?" tanong ng doktor.

I just stared at the emptiness in front of me. My ears have shut. My skin became numb. My eyes have blurred. This place is not my world.

"Halos wala naman pong pinagbago. Pero palagay ko po eh umaayos naman po ang lagay niya. I think he's back to normal. Ilang taon na rin po siyang ganyan eh," sabi ni Mama.

"I see. Mukhang maayos na nga ang pasyente," sabi ng doktor.

You're not fine, my mind whispered, you will never be fine.

"Ginagawa niyo ba ang lahat ng payo ko sa inyo?" tanong ng doktor.

Mama nodded.

"Lahat po, Doc. Ginagawa namin ang lahat para maging maganda ang kalagayan ni Red kapag nasa bahay kami. Tsaka nandiyan naman po 'yung kaibigan niya. Malaking tulong po si Sei mula nung naging magkaibigan sila ni Red."

"I see. Wala ba kayong napapansin na kakaiba sa mga asal ng anak ninyo?"

"Wala naman na po," sabi ni Mama.

"Sige. Kakausapin ko muna ang anak mo, Mrs. Guvera. Maghintay ka lang po muna sa labas," sabi ng doktor.

I heard footsteps heading for the door. There was a creak, a dull thud, and then silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Guvera," the doctor said after a few minutes.