BORROWED TIME

13

When we entered the Orthopedic Office, I formally introduced kuya Loel to Doc Rex before we started discussing our plan for Bea's supposed operation.

"I'll be straight to the point Loel."

Tahimik lang ako habang hinihintay ang mga susunod na sasabihin sa amin ni Rex.

"Your sister really needs to undergo an operation as soon as possible. Because if we can't let her undergo the operation, her injuries might just be more severe than how it looks right now. Her injuries are curable. I can assure you about that. But what we have to do is bring her here in our hospital to check her condition and on how we'll going to execute her operations."

"I understand what you wanted to do for my sister Doc Rex, but our problem is that she won't allow anyone of us na pakialaman ang mga desisyon niya sa buhay. Galit siya sa lahat ng tao. And I am afraid, na kapag pinilit namin siyang dalhin dito, she'll just resist and be more mad at everyone. I can't find any way to convince her. I honestly don't know what will I do now." kuya Loel frustratingly said.

Napa-buntong-hininga naman ako.

Napag-isipan ko na rin ang bagay na to ilang araw matapos kong unang magpunta dito. And maybe this is the right time to do this. I need to act. As Bea's doctor. I have to help her bago man lang ako makabalik sa Pilipinas. I don't want to waste her family's effort to bring me here in US just to cure her.

"Okay sige. Ganto na lang."

Napatingin naman sa akin ang dalawa.

"I'll be the one convincing Bea to go here. Ako nang bahala."

Kuya Loel's face lit up and a glimpse of hope was evident. I guess he really loves his sister. Everyone around Bea's family, they love her. Sige na nga, pati ako. Charot!😂 HAHAHAHA

Parang baliw lang Jhoana?! Mag tigil ka nga!🙄

"Are you really sure about that Jhoana? You know how cruel my sister is to everyone she knows in the whole world."

I nodded my head with what kuya Loel has said. Alam kong medyo may pagka-maldita si Bea pero alam ko rin namang hindi siya purong maldita.

"I'll do it kuya. You just have to trust me. Responsibilidad ko na rin si Bea ngayon dahil pinadala ako para tulungan siya. Don't worry, kapag di ko na kaya, I'll ask help from all of you. But for now, hayaan niyo munang ako ang mangumbinsi sa kanya na pumunta dito, and eventually, convince her to take the operation immediately."

"Well, Jho's right. As soon as Bea has finally agreed, then I guess we'll going to have some series of pre-test about her condition and in more than a week, we can prepare her and then the operation will come."

"Okay. Okay. Kung yan ang makabubuti sa kapatid ko, then we'll do it. My parents doesn't care how much we can spend for this. Ang importante lang ay gumaling ang kapatid ko. Para bumalik na siya sa dati." kuya Loel said determinely.

Kamukha niya rin si Bea. That's why I want to see in her, what I see in her brother's eyes. Determination and Love.

"Jho, were counting on you."-Loel.

I just nodded at him.

Mukhang mahihirapan akong makalapit kay Bea nang hindi siya naba-badtrip sa pagmumukha ko. But I have no choice. Her family loves her so much kaya ginagawa nila to.

And I guess I'll be doing this now not for Bea.

But for her loved ones.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm gonna talk to Bea."

I firmly told kuya Loel as soon as we get home.

"Are you sure?" his face confused and alarmed.