Chapter One
The obnoxious smell of hospital room does not sicken me, at all but for some reasons, entering this room with a familiar person inside, it makes me sick. My stomach's churning, causing a commotion inside. I could feel the bile rising up that I had to cover my mouth and silently cry.
Luck wasn't always on my side. I guess. Today doesn't make any difference. Sa karamihang kamalasang naranasan ko sa buong buhay ko, nasanay na ako sa lahat. Ang hindi ko lang inaasahan ay bakit sa ganitong mga oras pa? When everything I wanted was a peaceful life and God gave me something that I did not want in the first place.
My first step towards the person was uncomfortable. Nanginginig ang aking kamay na nagdulot ng panginginig sa akin. I almost stumble as I took my second step and the next.
She was so pale. Maputla ang kaniyang labi at nanlalamig ang kaniyang kamay ng aking mahawakan. Her steady breathing as her eyes were closed, made me feel troubled. What if this was just a front and sooner or later, she'll lose it?
My mother was the only person so precious to me. All my life I depend on her. Siya na lang ang natitira sa akin at kung mawawala pa siya, ano na lang ang magiging silbi ng buhay ko?
Hinaplos ko ang kaniyang namumutlang mukha. She aged fast and I missed some of the most moments that was supposed to be important for us. Kahapon sobrang saya pa naming dalawa habang ipinagdiriwang ang kaniyang kaarawan. She was happy when I made it home yesterday. Nakipagsugal ako sa sama ng panahon makita lamang siya kahapon. Despite the busy schedule and atrocious weather, I made it just to see her genuine smile.
"Ano ba naman yan, Ma? You were so jolly yesterday, tapos ganito? I shouldn't have left kung alam ko lang na ganito ang mangyayari. I had this disturbing feeling ever since my shift started tapos nakatanggap ako ng tawag kay Ate Judith." suminghot ako.
" I am not going to lose you in this, okay? I'll find a way..." I kissed her hand. Huminga ako nang malalim bago tinitigan ang kaniyang mukha. Ang kaniyang mukhang may bahid ng ngiti kahapon ay ngayon'y matiwasay na nagpapahinga at natutulog.
I heard the door opened while I was staring at her. Hindi na ako nag-abalang lumingon pa. I just heard the door closed and heavy footsteps walking towards me.
"Alysson?" It was Athena's familiar soft voice. Pinahid ko ang luha sa gilid ng aking mata bago siya nilingon. Her worried face came into view. MAlungkot siyang ngumiti sa akin bago ko naramdaman ang kaniyang malambot na yakap.
"You're going to be fine, Aly. For now under observation muna siya. Two or three days from now, magigising din siya." Athena said. Humiwalay ako sa kaniya at tumango. Bahagya kong nilingon si Mama bago napabuntong hininga.
"I've got a lot in my hand right now, Athena. Marami pang utang na babayaran, hindi ko rin alam na kulang yung mga medications niya at yung bahay.."
"Shh, it's okay. We'll find a way, okay? For now, magpahinga ka muna kasi alam kong pagod ka na. You have to gain your strength para hindi mag-alala si Tita. She'll be fine. You'll be both fine." pag-alo niya.
Sometimes I think I was lucky to have met Athena on my first day at work. She was energetic, caring and an amazing woman. Hindi ko alam na may ibibigay pa ang Diyos na kaibigan sa akin sa kabila ng pagsisi ko sa kaniya sa lahat ng kamalasan ng aking buhay.
Athena brought my things on Mama's hospital room. Gaya ng kaniyang sinabi ay nagpahinga ako at natulog nang mahigit apat na oras. When I woke up, another nurse was changing my mother's intravenous fluid pack.
