Lost In The Stars: Anamnesis

Chapter 3: J. Paisley

A day passed after I received a letter from that anonymous nurse that just came into my room.

Parang lahat ng naka-imbak na basura sa utak ko, linipad, then something gets clearer.

Ibang-iba na ngayon ang sitwasyon ko kesa noong limang araw na nakalipas.

The beeping machine beside me is turned off already. Wala na ding nakatusok na karayom at tube sa kamay ko. The bandage is still wrapped around my head, pero konti na lang ang sakit. Mom and Dad already packed our things and we're just waiting for the release papers.

"Uuwi na tayo, sweetie." Mom told me.

I saw her enlighting face. Na-miss ko 'to. Na-miss ko yung smile nya na sobrang layo sa pag-aalala. I remembered some of her smiles na nakakapagpangiti din sa'kin. She's lovely. No doubt na ganun din ako.

Shets, yung confidence ko, bumabalik na. Hahaha.

The door opened and Dr. Charles and Dr. Lannister entered with some papers on Dr. Charles' left hand.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Vasquez. Here's the result for her examination yesterday. "Dr. Charles handed a stapled pile of papers to Mom. "She'll do great."

"Thank you." Mom said to the two doctors.

"And you, beautiful-"

"Lara." I corrected Dr. Lannister.

"See? Told ya, she'll do great." Singit ni Dr. Charles.

Lara. Now I remembered my name after that anonymous letter told me the name I grew up from. So people call me Lara this whole time. It feels like I was reborn, and Lara sounds good to me.

"Do your best to remember everything. The memories, I know they're still there, in your heart. It will be erased here-" She pointed her head, "But it's already treasured in here." Then she pointed her heart.

"Nothing's impossible, Lara." Ani Dr. Charles. "And remembering your memories is never impossible. I believe in you. Believe in yourself."

Then they both hugged me with Mom and Dad. Masaya akong may nakilala akong mga baging tao sa panibagong kabanata ng buhay ko. Oo, alam kong magiging mahirap. Matagal at nakakaubos ng pasensya. But I know at the end, it'll be worth it. Marami pa 'kong taong makikilala, ulit. Alam kong tutulong sila sa pag-alala ng alaala ko dahil minsan din silang naging parte nito.

Handa na 'kong magsimula muli.

###

"I never came to the beach,

Or stood by the ocean.

I never sat by the shore,

Under the sand with the feet in the sand,

But you brought me here.

And I'm happy that you did.

Cause now I'm as free

As birds cathing the wind."

Masaya.

Yun yung nararamdaman ko ngayon. Masaya.

Yung nakikita mong hindi na lungkot at pag-aalala ang nakikita mo mga mata ng parents mo.

It's a relief.

Malibu by Miley Cyrus was playing on the car stereo while Mom's brushing my hair. We're both at the backseat habang si Dad ang nagdadrive.

"I missed you, Lara." Mom spoke.

"I missed you too, Mom."

"Eh, ako?" Sabat ni Dad.

"Syempre ikaw din. Hinding-hindi ko kayo makakalimutan." I said, smiling. "By the way, san nga po pala muna tayo tutuloy?"