When All Lies Fade

13

The moment I open my eyes, I was inside this four-cornered white wall. I scanned my surroundings and saw my left hand was connected to the Intravenous set. I look underneath the sheets, wearing a white lab gown. I tried to reach my toes together but I was feeling numb. 

I reached the blinding curtains and saw the morning ray of sunshine directed to my eyes. Slowly pushing myself off to the edge of table, reaching the slippers. I caressed the metal supporting my IV before walking out of my room. I scrunched up my nose because of the smell. 

Suki na ako sa Hospital lalo na sakitin pa ako noong bata pa ako but now, everything was different. I don't get used to smell of the Hospital or being inside the Hospital. I was walking along the hallway inside the Hospital Ward. I looked up the ceiling and saw a signboard hanging on the ceiling. 

I was at the Chronic Disease Management Unit. 

Nang malapit na ako sa counter ng mga Nurses, nanlaki ang mga mata nila at agad lumabas ng station si Nurse Valerie para puntahan ako ng malapitan. 

"Oh gising ka na pala, Andeng. Bakit hindi mo ginamit ang Nurse call?" Tanong ni Nurse Valerie sa akin. Nakasuot siya ng puting uniform at naka mask. Hinawakan niya ang likod ko para alalayan ako pabalik sa VIP Room. 

"I don't want to use it since, it's not Emergency call after all," I replied short and quick. Bumalik kami ulit sa kwarto ko pero dahan-dahan lang ang paglalakad namin dahil baka mapagod ako kaagad. 

She opened the door for me and I thanked her. "Where's Spencer?" 

Iyan ang unang pangalan na gusto kong tanungin kay Nurse Val. Siya lang kasi ang naalala kong binuhat ako bago mawalan ako ng malay. 

"Ahh, yung boyfriend mo?," She chuckled for a bit. Napaisip ako kaagad. Hindi ko naman boyfriend yun eh. Boy best friend pwede pa. 

Tumango na lang ako na kunwari'y tama ang hinala niya. "Yes. Where is he?" 

"He went to his class na. Pumunta siya kanina dito habang natutulog ka." Sabi niya habang inaayos ang kumot ko. Dahan ako ulit inaangat ang position ko para makasandal ako sa Hospital bed. 

I asked again. "Did he say something before he left? Saan pala si Mommy? Do you know where she is? May schedule ba siya ngayon? Nasa Delivery room ba siya? How about Dein?" 

Bakit ang dami kong tanong? Naka-drugs ba ako? 

I watched her reaction when I asked too much questions. I bit my lower lip and she just chuckled, grabbing a chair towards me after she checked my IV. 

"Oo, may sinabi siya sa akin na babalik siya after his class. Si Doc naman, kausap ang mga patients. Ang pagkakaalam ko, nasa Delivery room nga siya pero babalik siya after nun. Teka, si Dein? Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang pangalan na 'yun? Karibal ba yun ni Spencer?" 

I blinked twice before I answer. "Dein? I thought, he was here also kasi eh before.." I was trying to find the right words to say but I decided to shut my mouth. 

"Ah, wala yun Nurse Valerie. Eme ko lang 'yan." I chuckled nervously and she half smiled at me. 

Nurse Val stood up from her chair and put it back near the table. "Basta, if you need anything, press mo lang 'yan," Sabay turo sa Nurse call near me. "Para hindi ka labas-pasok dito sa Ward, delikado pa naman dito. Okay?" 

I raised my right arm into an 'okay' sign. She smiled at me before leaving me again. I pouted when she left the room. Umalis ako ulit sa higaan ko dahil naramdaman ko ang kulo ng tiyan ko. Paeke-eke pa ako ng lakad dahil, inaalalayan ko pa ang IV ko. Medyo nanghihina pa naman ako pag nakakakita ako ng dugo. Buti na lang, hindi ako nag-aral bilang Nurse or Med tech, kung kahinaan ko pa naman ay dugo.