Ms. Bitter meets Mr. Forever

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3: CANCER

"Keian, Keila, Keine. I'm sorry. Keith is diagnosed in Stage 2 Lung Cancer." Sabi ni Doc Aleja. "I'll go. You may see Keith. He's currently resting. Excuse me." At umalis si Doc.

Lumabas ako at nagpahangin. I need air.

"Keila?" Bati sa akin ng isang babaeng naka-nurse uniform.

"Excuse me?" Tanong ko dahil hindi ko naman siya kilala.

"Oh! Sorry, ang daming nagbago. Remember me? I'm Veiana. Yung nerd." Pilit kong inaalala ang mga kaklase ko nung high school... 

"Oh, shoot! Ikaw na ba talaga yan, Vi?" Sabi ko nang maalala ko siya.

"Yep."

"Grabe! Ang laki ng pinagbago mo since grad!"

"Haha, maski parents ko nagulat."

"Grabe!" Di lang talaga ako makapaniwala.

"I'll go, see you some time?"

"Sure, Vi." 

"Veiana. I assure that you still have work to do?" Pagtawag ng isang babaeng mukhang nasa 40's na.

"Opo, mo- I mean Ma'am Veron. I was just entertaining an old friend from high school."

"Very well, you may leave now, Veiana. I'm talking to your so-called friend." At umalis na nga si Vi at naiwan kami ni Ma'am Veron. "I suppose you don't know me?" Tumango lang ako. "I am Veiana's mother. This is my hospital." 

"Ma'am, ang alam ko po ay wala siyang nanay.."

Hinintay ko lang siyang ituloy ang kanyang pagsaslita. "You know, my daughter doesn't love to share her life. But, something special is within you that she trusted you. And, you'll know the truth on the right time. But, for now, stay as her friend. Thank you for your time, miss?" Hinihintay niya ang pangalan ko.

"Keila, po Ma'am." I answered.

"Oh, please, call me Tita Ver," she said.

"Sige po, Tita."

"Anyways, what are you doing here? Is someone from your family diagnosed here or what?"

"Ah, Tita, kuya ko po, diagnosed sa lung cancer."

"Oh, goodness. As a thank you for being a friend of my daughter, I'll make your bills free. I will be your brother's doctor, too, if you want."

"Tita, maraming salamat po sa tulong. Nakakahiya naman po. Pero po kasi, tita Ver, andito po ang pinsan ng Dad ko nagtratrabaho as a doctor, sa kanya po kami lumalapit for our medicals. Pasensya na po."

"Very well, then I'll just have your bills free if that so. I must go. I have my patients waiting. Nice meeting you."

"Sige po, Tita. Thank you po." At umalis na siya. I seriously thank her for her offers, it's too big for just being a friend of Vi. Introvert si Vi kaya alam kong nag-aalala ang kanyang Mom.

Napadpad ako sa isang park. Isang park na nagpapa-alala sa kanya kung saan nagsimula ang lahat. Kung saan ako nahulog, nasaktan, at nagpakatanga. Lahat nang iyon nangyari dito. Sa lugar na kinalulungkot ko, sa taong kinamumuhian ko. Nakakatawa na dito iikot ang nakaraan ko.

"Uy, Keila. B-bakit ka umiiyak? Hala!" Rinig kong tinig ng isang babae. "Oh, ito. Tubig.." Kinakabahan niyang saad.

"Salamat, Sab, ha?"

*

Hello! Ngayon na lang ulit ako nakapag-ud after Christmas, sorry! Aside sa busy ako sa school this past few months, may summer job pa ako ngayon. Nagkaroon lang ako ng time para maka-ud since wala akong ginagawa.. so ito na! If ever naalala niyo sa 1st edition ng MBMMF, andoon si Sab... so naisipan ko na idagdag ang minor characters from the 1st edition dito sa revised soo..... UD NATIN ITO!!

Published on April 03, 2018.. 9:10am.

Dedicated to: curioshiya

Thank you!!