Largesse

8. SepGa

A few days after his ventilator was removed, Sep gradually opened his eyes. He began regaining the 'normal' sleep-wake cycle but was just in a vegetative state and dependent on his carers for his needs.

From initial tests done after he awakened, it was determined that Sep had lost his vision. His pupils were not responsive to stimuli like light. His family and loved ones were already warned that this might happen since his injury was to the brain when the bullet lodged between his eyes. The doctors decided not to touch or remove the bullet for fear of further damage to Sep's brain.

Aside from the loss of vision, his doctors were still testing his cognition. He was fed and hydrated via a tube inserted through his nose.

Meng arrived at the hospital when Helga was about to feed Sep through his feeding tube. Lola Char and Nanay Straw were not yet at the hospital. Helga skilfully held the syringe with one hand while opening the can of nutritious supplement with the other and slowly pouring some of its contents into the syringe.

"Ano kaya ang pakiramdam kapag nakakakain sya ng ganyan?" Meng said. She had just greeted Sep with a kiss on the forehead and watched Helga work.

"Nabubusog din siguro..." Helga said. She looked at Meng and Sep while she waited for the formula to empty from the syringe and move down the plastic tube. "...dadating kaya yung Nanay nya o Lola nya?" Helga asked while she continued to pour the contents from the can.

"Baka mamaya-maya andito na yun. Kawawa nga si Aling Straw kasi di na sya nakakabenta sa Divisoria ng ilang araw..."

"Tinutulungan naman ata sila ni Ma'am Nadia, diba?"

Meng nodded.

"...maswerte din si Sep...ang daming nag-aalaga sa kanya...dalawa ang Nanay nya tapos si Lola Char tapos ikaw...nung isang araw, andito din ata yung mga kaibigan nya. Importante na madalas makita ng pasyente ang mga taong malapit sa kanya. May nabasa nga ako kagabi na nagising sa coma dahil narinig nya yung mga boses ng mga mahal nya sa buhay..."

"Ows?"

"Oo...sa Chicago yun...ni-record ng mga researcher at duktor yung boses ng asawa at mga kapatid nung may sakit tapos pinarinig dun sa pasyente ng tig-10 minutes apat na beses sa isang araw."

"Talaga? Paano nila ginawa?"

Helga nodded. She finished feeding Sep and was now checking on the other tubes attached to his body – IV and catheter.

"...nagkkwento lang yung babae...parang gumawa ng album..."

"Album?"

"...photo album...kinukwento nya yung mga nangyari dun sa picture...isa sa mga kinuwento nya ay kung paano naghanap si lalaki ng chicken nuggets nung naglilihi pa sya...or yung kung anong nangyayari sa araw-araw...para sigurong nagkkwento lang kung anong nangyari maghapon na parang kausap lang talaga yung pasyente..."