Borrowed Time (completed)

2. transit

"Ikki-boy, did you drink your medicines already? Did you have your blood pressure checked? Don't forget to bring a small towel and your bottled water..." Mama rattled on as Rj was about to leave the house. Rj looked at his dad who was reading the newspapers.

"Bye Ma...bye Pa..." Rj said as he left the house.

"...wag ka magpagod...eat lunch on time..."

"Rose..." Papa said without looking up from his newspaper. "...23 na yung anak mo..."

"...but his heart..."

"Is as good as it will be..."

"Rico!"

"Ano?"

"He just had his test and check-up with Dr. Villa yesterday..."

"And? The results won't be given until next week...kalma ka lang Rose, pwede? Ikki-boy has been doing well and has been healthy for the last few years...if tama ang hula ko, he's actually getting better..."

"Kung may mangyari sa anak mo..."

"Walang masamang mangyayari sa kanya. Todo alaga at bantay na ang ginagawa mo e. Kulang nalang kukuha ka pa ng nurse para bantayan sya..."

"...nurse..." Mama thought out loud.

"Wag kang OA, Rose. Matanda na yung anak mo. He can take of himself."

"I'm just worried..."

"Overly worried...dyan ka na nga...ako ang magkakaroon ng sakit sa puso at sa ulo sa yo e..." Papa said as he left Mama in the living room.

"...Manang...wag masyadong red meat ang bibilhin mo ha? Bawal kay Ikki-boy..." Mama said as she turned and walked toward the kitchen.

This was a typical day at Rj's home. His Mama Rose would rattle off instructions pertaining to his health. Rj was diagnosed with arrhythmia and has been hospitalized so many times in the past that caused his mother to become over-protective of her only son.

Papa Rico had also been worried about Rj's health since his diagnosis but was calmer and level-headed about it. He also monitored Rj's health diligently but believed his son would live fully in spite of his condition. As parents they never stopped reminding their son to take care of his health.

Because of his mother's constant nagging about his health among other things, Rj was at the end of wits. Many times he had 'threatened' to leave home to prove to his parents that he was indeed an adult and could take care of himself already. Although he had a life-long condition, he wanted to live a more independent life. He had been home-schooled all his life so he was getting bored because of the very little interaction he had with other kids. His friends were the children of the workers of their hacienda but his mom always warned and reminded them that Rj could not and should not get tired.

"...pwedeng ako naman ang mag-bat?" Rj asked when they played softball.

"...eh kung dumating si Senyora dito, kami na naman ang papagalitan..." Boboy explained. "...si Kiko, napalo ni Aling Sabel nung isang araw kasi nakitang inabot mo yung bat..."

"Eh pinulot ko lang para iabot sa kanya..."

"...yun din ang sabi nya sa nanay nya pero ayaw maniwala...ayun, pingot at palo ang inabot..."

"Grabe naman..."

"...kaya, dyan ka nalang at mag-score ka nalang..." Boboy said as he turned to rejoin the kids in the field.

"Eh ano pa nga ba..." Rj shrugged his shoulders and sighed.

Rj didn't give much detail about his last check-up to his parents. If there were any discrepancies between his last and recent tests, these were very minimal and didn't even need medication. His doctors were happy with his improvement over the last few check-ups.

"But let's not be too complacent...this is still your heart we're talking about. Anything can happen..." Dr. Villa said.

"I know..."

That day, he left the house to go to the 'farm office' on the opposite side of the property. He was brought by Manding, the driver, to the office at 9:00am. He wondered why Rj asked had a stuffed backpack with him.

"Kaya mo?" Manding asked when he saw Rj lift the heavy backpack on his shoulder.

"Oo naman..."

"...pag ito nalaman ng Mama mo..."

"Sasabihin mo?"

"Syempre hindi...o sige, may pinapakuha pa si Senyora sa bangko...sunduin kita mamayang 4 o'clock..."

"Okay po..." Rj replied. He watched as Manding speed off.

But instead of entering the office, he hailed the next taxi that passed by.

At lunch time, Mama came to the office bringing Rj's lunch.

"...Che-Che, tawagin mo na si Ikki-boy at kakain na..." Mama said as she prepared the food she brought.

"Ah eh..."

"...lumabas ba siya ng office?"

"Hindi po..."

"O, pwes..."

"...hindi po pumasok si Sir Ricky..."

"Anong hindi pumasok?"

"Hindi po sya pumasok..."

"...hinatid sya ni Manding dito kanina..."

"...eh wala po talaga sya dito..." Che-che said.