Between the Lines

IKAPITO

Alexandria

Naalimpungutan ako mula sa aking pagkakahimbing nang mapagtanto ko na hindi ito ang daan patungo sa bahay namin dahilan para mabahala ako ng ilang segundo.

"Ma—Manong, this isn't our way home. Where are we going?"

"Where staying at my condo" sambit ng isang pamilyar na boses dahilan para mapalingon ako sa gilid ko na pinaggalingan nito.

"Tita?" halos di makapaniwalang sambit ko nang makita ko si Tita Lea sa loob ng sasakyan.

Right! Siya nga pala ang kasama ko sa kanina sa hospital.

Napaface palm ako.

"Alex, are you okay?" I heard her say "Masakit pa rin ba ulo mo? Dapat talaga hindi na —"

"Tita, I'm fine po" pagsabat ko sa kanya baka kasi ibalik ako ng wala sa oras sa hospital nito.

I heard her sigh "I'm sorry if I sound to OA sometimes, Alex ha? I just can't help but be worried about you"

I was caught off guard for a few seconds because of what she said. Did I hear it right, did she said she's worried about me?

I bit the bottom of my lips to stop myself from crying. I try to mask the pain and happiness that I was feeling at the same time with a smile plastered on my face and said "Tita, Dr. Ramirez has been my doctor for years, she wouldn't discharge me if I wasn't okay" I reach out for her hand and use my thumb to rub it to her hand "So you don't have to worry, okay?"

A smile plastered on her face "Okay" she answered "But if your head hurts please do tell me"

I just nod my head in response and gave her a small smile "Pero Tita maiba nga ako, you said we're going to your condo? Anong gagawin natin dun?"

"You'll be staying with me for the meantime"

"Po?" gulat na sambit ko "Pero bakit po?"

"Because you're hardheaded. You won't listen to anyone's opinion lalo na kay Nanay na nagaalala lang naman din sayo"

"I do listen to their opinion naman po" pagdedefend ko sa sarili ko.

"If you did, you wouldn't be on that hospital bed a few hours ago"

Natameme ako dahil sa sinabi ni Tita Lea because she's right.

I sighed in defeat "Does my mom and Dad know about this Tita?"

"That you're staying with me?"

I nod my head in response.

I sighed. When it really comes to her, I'll never win a debate.

"Does, my Mom and Dad knows about this?" I worriedly asked.

She smiled as she nod her head in agreement "Yes, they do but you have to remember na wala akong kasambahay sa unit kaya we have to do everything by ourselves. Is that okay with you?"

Nginitian ko at sinabing "Oo naman po"

"You sure? Hindi ka magmamaktol na ipapagawa ko sayo yung ibang gawain bahay? When you're sanay na may kasamang yaya?" She inquired.

"I do help naman po sa bahay kapag hindi ako busy sa school po"

"That's great, akala ko —"