Alexithymia

*Romeo's Juliet*

Monique's POV

Nagising ako sa malakas na sigaw ng nanay ko.

"Monique! Gising na may nag-aantay sa'yo dito sa baba," sigaw ni mama mula sa baba.

Eager to see who it was, I undress my nightgown and changed into my casual wear. I was expecting to see Welvic, but it was not him. Mas nagulat pa ako ng makita yung bisita.

"Michael?" sabi ko sa kanya.

He nodded.

Dali-dali akong lumapit sa kanya at niyakap siya. Si Michael ay childhood friend ko, he migrated to America when both of us are thirteen, kasi nga daw dun nakatira yung lola at lolo niyang bigtime. He looked older and much mature nung huli kaming nagkita, infareness mas gumwapo siya.

"Michael John Domingo? I almost did not recognize you," sabi ko. "You grew a lot lately!"

"Syempre naman. Mas gwapo ako ngayon diba?" sabi niya. "Tsaka, ikaw din kaya! Mas gumanda ka."

Bumitaw ako sa yakap, grabe sobrang namiss ko talaga si Michael. Namiss ko yung kulitan naming dalawa, tsaka naging crush ko kaya yan siya noon.

"O tama na yan, maya nang usapan... Kumain muna tayo," mom interrupted.

Dumiretso kami sa kusina. Naghanda na si mama ng plato at hinain na niya ang almusal namin- fried rice and chicken adobo. Tabi kami ni Michael sa lamesa.

"So Rea... How's your life?" sabi ni Michael.

"Boring siguro, lalung-lalo na nung nagkasakit ako," sabi ko.

"Ha? Rea may sakit ka? The heck? Ano yung sakit mo?" sabi niya.

Tumingin ako kay mama and she gestured na okay lang, so I told him. "A week after nung umalis ka, biglaan nalang sumakit ang tiyan ko. I cried for help kasi sobrang masakit, it took so long para maka respond sila mama."

He looked at me oddly, "Tapos?"

"They brought me to the hospital..." sabi ko. "Tas nang andun na kami, the doctor diagnosed me with Hepatitis C, at sabi nia mild lang daw ito and that I could still live as long as the medicines work... But anytime mamatay parin ako,"

"Paano ka gagaling?" sabi niya. "I could pay your medicines just to let you live."

I felt love from what he had said, "Unless, pag may donor daw. I may live."

He just shook his head.

Nagkibit balikat ako, "So how's your life in America?"

"Cool actually. I've already got my driver's license, I also got a scholarship from playing basketball, so I'm taking classes at Harvard," he said.

"Harvard? Yaman ah?" I teased him.

"Rea! How about I take you to class today!"

I nodded. I changed myself into my usual dress (na binili ni Welvic). Tapos ay sumakay na kami sa kotse namin, of course he's the one who drived. Pinarada niya yung car sa tapat talaga ng gate.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan at lalabas na sana, but then he stopped me, "I-tour mo ako sa school mo."

"Okay..." I said.

"Yes!" lumabas siya sa kotse at tumabi saakin. He held his hand and I reached it.

An hour akong early sa first subject ko kaya I stroll with him. So una, tinour ko siya sa may garden. Next, sa canteen. Then, sa playground. After nun, sa swimming pool. Tas lastly balik ulit sa gate.

"Oh! Michael, punta na ako sa first subject ko ah," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Where would I wait?" he asked.