When A Heart Gets Broken

Part 45: Virgie

Kanina ka pa ba?" (How long have you've been here?)

"Nauna lang ako ng konti Ma," sagot ng dalaga. (Just a little bit mother.)

Buti na lang mabait yung RN mo. Maaga kang pinauwi." (Your nurse was so nice for sending you home early today.)

Tinapos lang po kasi naming yung mga pinabalik ni Mam Reagan ngayon. Bukas ibang batch na naman ng pasyente. Tinutututkan nya bawat pasyenteng tinitingnan nya. Di bale daw konti basta gumaling ang mga sakit. (We only did the ones recalled from yesterday. The new batch will be treated tomorrow. She wants to make sure that her treatment works for every patrient. She believes in quality of service than quantity.)

They went to the cemetery to light candles for the dead.The place was so congested with people who wanted to spend that day with the departed families. From afar, the cemetery looked like someone lighted a giant bonfire that reached the sky. Today is not to be sad but to celebrate the lives that have gone to the other dimension of life. On their way home, Ivy stopped at an ATM to pay their utilities on line.The older woman got a little bit sad when she glimpsed at her daughter's empty wallet.

" That's okay Mother," says Ivy as they crossed the congested road to take the southbound bus. They both dozed off as the bus traveled to their destination. It was past 10 o'clock at night when they reached home.

They just finished the rosary and were preparing to go to bed when the daughter started talking about the NP she works with.

" She is very pretty and really kind. You should see how she cares for her patients Ma.But...""

" What do you mean with but?"

" I can sense some kind of sadness in her. All I know is she experienced some kind of loss in her life. She almost cried when I told her about Papang's death."

" She probably lost someone in death, too that's why she can relate to you."

" Maybe Ma. Maybe."

A few minutes later, the house became quiet where only the rhythmic breathing from two sleeping forms can be heard.

In Manila, Lee was ecstatic. " Two more days. Two more."

He closed his eyes to get ready ready once more for the very early conference the following morning.