Healer

Kabanata 6

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My Argentina trip did not happend. I needed to go back before my family made a big fit. Tito Alkis goes home with his wife, together with my spoiled cousin, Hecap Argus Menaid. The only son of Alkis Rodreguiz Menaid. My father's middle name is Rodreguiz and my mother's was Liverde, no other than Sorriena Liverde- Menaid, a skilled surgeon.

Commander Emadeus R. Menaid was married to Doctora Sorriena L. Menaid when they're both twenty-ninth. They have the same birth year but different birth months, Mama is July and Papa is March. My mother is the only child of the Liverdes, way back in their time my mother always stick her nose on her medical books, or other reading stuffs that she could use to gain more knowledge when it comes to medicine, that was my Lola said before she passed away when I turned seven.

"Hija, you look so tired. Have some food before you sleep." It was Tito Alkis wife approach, Tita Amanda.

"Thanks, Tita pero busog pa po ako." Dahil totoo naman, napilitan lang akong umuwi sa bahay namin dahil sa pagpupumilit ni Papa. He told me it's just one night, one fucking night with them and I'm not used to it.

"Oh, did you two already catch up things you know, Hecap? and some stuffs?"

"Nah, I didn't see him, though." I said to mark finality. Alam kong naramdaman niya
iyon kaya hindi na siya nagsalita pa. Umakyat ako sa dating kwarto ko. Ganoon pa rin ang ayos, mga tambak-tambak na libro na inaalikabok na. Mga dating damit ko ay nandodoon pa rin. Malinis ang sahig at bintana, bago rin ang bed sheet at mga pillow cases ay pinalitan rin nang bago. Napatitig ako sa teddy bear na malaki, that was a gift from Papa when I turn eight. I always dream to have a big teddy bear inside my room and that's why he bought.

I was really happy that day. Papa always make my birthday special, just for me.

Not in Mama, she is always strict. Dapat lahat nasa ayos, dapat lahat tama at dapat lahat ay sinusunod ko. Lumaki siya sa ganoong environment, sabi nga ni Lola noong nabubuhay pa siya. Kung may pinagsisihan man siya sa buhay niya ay iyon ang pinalaki niyang may oras sa ulo ang nag-iisa niyang anak. Lahat ay detalyado, nasa tamang ayos, at dapat masunurin. I did not enjoy my childhood days that much, kung iba ay masayang saya dahil summer? I did not enjoy my summer. I often get locked in my room with tons of book in front of my eyes. Hindi ako makakalabas nang kwarto ko kapag hindi ko naubos lahat nang iyon nais niya ipabasa sa akin at sa huli ay tatanungin niya ako tungkol sa mga 'yon.

Napabuga ako nang hangin, being here makes me feel suffocated. Kaya lumabas ako para magpahangin sa veranda. Matagal na rin pala nang umuwi ako dito.

"You're tall now, but still snob. Nothing change, cousin?"

"Shut up, Hecap." I said, he's behind me and I can tell. Hindi ko nga lang siya binigyan nang pansin dahil maraming gumugulo sa utak ko.

"I heard what happend to your boyfriend, my late condolences."

"Mat's fine in heaven, he fought well and I'm the one who give up on that battle." Bitterness creeps inside me. I swallow the vile in my throat hiding my emotions in my calm voice, just like I'm really doing fine which I am not that fine. I'm fine but I can say, 50/50? I couldn't tell. I realize my shits in Brisbane, get it back in Sydney for five days stay. I enjoy the first week of winter with Herod's company, sa kaniya ko lang nalaman na nandodoon si Siowojen para sa research niya. Well, new research. After all, doon rin siya nag-internship. Dalawa kaming masuwerte na natanggap sa hospital na 'yon. I only lasted for half month and I decided to volunteer in Brisbane, dahilan kung bakit gustong gusto kong balikan ang lugar na iyon.

"Brisbane is not that bad, I see." Is all he said.

"How did you know I was there?"

"I'm stalking Seri whereabouts."