What If...

13: Going Home

Hearing someone call our names that loud took me by surprise. So I took a peek on the direction of that utterance, and it was Tess, with her plain stare at us. She just finished settling matters with the hospital.

Like a lightning, Dennis jolted back from his warm hold on my face and rushed to Tess, possibly to get out of that awkward situation. He pushed me so hard that I ended up startled and sore despite having soft pillows to cushion my impact.

   With his face blushing and smiling sweetly, Dennis spoke excitingly about this miracle: "Auntie, you won't believe this! I've got some good news!!!"
   "What good news? That you tried kissing my son? I can see your head unusually close to my son's," Tess replied still with that plain stare towards my buddy, but this time, she had one brow raised to the sky.
   "No, Auntie! It's not like that! Hehehe. I won't kiss Budz!" he quickly countered with his head nodding sideways. "Alex can see clearly now! He was even able to see the fine print in the newspaper and see my face clearly without his glasses!"

When he said that he was not trying to kiss me, I felt disappointed. I was hoping he would do that. Hehe. Who am I kidding? I'm his best friend. Kissing me would just be wishful thinking. What am I thinking?! I must keep my composure.

When Dennis revealed about my improved vision, Tess's mood changed to that of a rejoicing mother as she approached me and gave me that big smile.

   "Is that true that you can see clearly now? He's not making that excuse that he tried to kiss you?" Tess prest as she looked straight in my eyes while smiling.
   "Yes, Mom! I just woke up and found out that I can see everything without wearing my glasses," I happily mentioned. "And no, Dennis is not trying to kiss me. He's just happy to know that I can see him clearly, even the pores and boogers of his nose."
Dennis then covered his nose and scoffed, "That's really a nice way of thanking me for sharing the good news, Budz. First, my morning breath; and now, pores and boogers."

Tess searched for the newspaper and grabbed a page from it. She scanned for an article and pointed at it while looking at me with enthusiasm.

   "Son, tell me what's written here," she requested me to read this fine print which she pinpointed in the middle of the spread.
   Testing Mercer's favor, I looked at that detail and confidently read it out loud, "That's easy, Mom. It says: Looking for ladies with a pleasing personality. I feel blue!"

After stating the fine print, Tess tried to verify the content by reading it. It's part of this classified ad for a female escort. Knowing that I indeed have 20/20 vision, she gave me that warm smile and gave me a big hug as she started to be teary-eyed with joy.

   "This is truly a miracle! You saved my son by helping him recover from the accident. And now, you had his vision restored as a bonus! Thank You for answering our prayers!" Tess heartily said while embracing me even tighter and hearing her stifled sobs.

From that moment, I once again felt that caring hug that I missed having from Mama. This is something I might get used to. This in itself heals me from within.

   After that sweet moment, she looked at me and Dennis and said, "I already settled the bills and we shall now prepare to leave the hospital after lunch. What's surprising is that Madame Ynchausti approached me awhile ago at the Billing Counter. She knew that we were checking out and offered to pay fully for our expenses."
   "How Did Chas's mom found out that we are leaving today?" I asked inquisitively.
   Dennis made this awkward face while scratching his head and admitted, "I've told Chas last night that you are checking out. He was happy to know you are well as we are both praying for your recovery. Maybe he mentioned this also to his mom."
   "So what did you do, Mom? Did you accept her offer to pay our bills?" I queried again.
   "I did not, my son. Although that was a generous offer, I opted not to get it. I don't want you to be indebted to them because of that. You have already forgiven her husband, and that's enough," Tess detailed. "Besides, you're fully covered by our insurance policy. Glad this came in handy."
   I gladly looked at Tess, gently reached for her hands and said, "Thank you, Mom. I'm grateful to have you by my side."
   She then beamed at me amicably and reciprocated my kind words: "That's what mothers always do, my son. You know, I haven't heard such kind and caring words from you for a long time. I guess such events like these truly have a purpose. Oh, enough of this drama. Let's get going. Dennis, please help me prepare his stuff."