Sa ICU na nakatulog si Sarah. She was on duty that night and after making sure all her patients are stable, binisita niya ulit si Gerald.
Although hindi siya nakatoka sa ICU, naintindihan ng ibang staff kung bakit madalas ang dalaw niya sa binata. Childhood friend ang explanation na sinabi niya and they didn’t disturb her especially because she was one of the most well loved interns sa hospital. Bukod sa napakagalang and sincere niya sa lahat ng staff from janitors to nurses to the consultants, isa pa siya sa pinaka-thoughtful. However, much as they would like think Gerald was only just a friend, iba ang hinagpis na nakitaan nila kay Sarah, who was normally a very cheerful friend to them.
Gerald was on his 3RD hospital day and 3rd post op day. He was still unconscious although his vital signs were stable.
That night, nakatulog si Sarah sa silya tabi ng kama ni Gerald matapos niyang magdasal ng rosary. Bigla na lang siyang may naramdaman na haplos sa buhok niya at unti-unti niyang nilabanan ang hila ng tulog to figure out what was going on. Laking gulat niya nang Makita na gising na ang lalaking minsan niyang minahal. He was touching her head and calling out her name. Di na niya nabanggit kung ano ang sinabi ni Gerald at tuloy tuloy siyang napaiyak, sabay sambit...
“Gerald? Akala ko, wala ka na...” As tears fell down her cheeks. “Ano ba ‘to? Sorry ha? Nakita ko kasi kanina. Sobrang dami ng blood. I really thought... I can’t believe it was you. Kumusta ka na................I’m so sorry Gerald, I’m so sorry”, Sarah said while sobbing.
It was difficult for Gerald seeing Sarah that way. Weak as he was, he tried hard to get himself up to comfort her but his body complained. He was aching all over. Kaya mahina man ang boses niya, pinilit niyang mapanatag ang loob ni Sarah..
“Sasa... tahan na, tahan na. Saka na natin pag-usapan. I’m just so happy to see you. Bigla kang nawala... you just don’t know how hard it was for me...pero, it’s not yet time. I’m not ready, i guess. What’s the damage? Sa akin, I mean...kumpleto pa ba ako?”
“ Except for your spleen Ge, okay ka naman. Don’t worry, compatible with life kahit wala ka nun. May masakit ba sa ‘yo ngayon?”
“Everywhere. Kumusta si mommy? Nakita mo na siya” asked Gerald.
“ I told her to rest muna kaya umuwi siya saglit, she’s been here since day one. I’ll call her na para di na siya mag-worry pa.”
“Please do sarah, thanks!”
The whole time, Sarah tried to keep her hands inside her white blazer’s pocket. She so badly want to touch him. Feel connected.
Finally, she took out her hands and gently placed them on Gerald’s arm, tracing the bandaged wound. She felt overwhelmed by the feeling of almost losing someone who meant so much to her...someone who still means so much to her. It was as if tracing his wounds were meant to erase all the pain he is feeling. Later on, she would realize that she also wanted to erase all the pain she knows she has caused him.
Napatingin si Gerald sa lugar where Sarah was touching him and felt...loved? Could it be or was he imagining it? His heart filled with hope and he looked at her face.
“Sarah...”
“Ge, kung pwede ko lang bawiin lahat. I know I have a lot of explaining to do and when the time comes, when you’re stronger, I’m praying you’ll hear me out and forgive me.. Pero ngayon, magpahinga ka na. Nandito lang ako.”
“Okay...Sarah...gusto mo bumawi di ba?”
Napakunot ng noo si Sarah. “What do you mean?”
“Lull me to sleep like you used to do before...”
Nahiya man si Sarah, ‘di na siya makatanggi because in her heart, she knew how much she owed him. She slowly positioned her head near Gerald’s ear and in a soft voice, sang him the song he usually requested whenever they would burn the lines talking to each other ...
" In the arms of an angel...fly away from here...in this dark cold motel room..and the emptiness that you feel..."
