The Great Escape

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

Unexpected visitor

My Mom came back holding a paper bag of my favorite fastfood. Inilalapag na niya ang mga pagkain sa bed table nang may kumatok sa pinto.

Si Ephraim na kaya 'yan?

The door opened and it was Dra. Feliza. She came in for a short visit before she lets me go. Pero mukhang masisira yata iyon dahil wala pa rin si Ephraim hanggang ngayon.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay na po, Doctora."

Naalis na ang support na inilagay sa akin para makahinga. Nagawa kong makatulog nang maayos kahit wala ang CPAP o BiPAP sa nagdaang mga araw kaya hinayaan akong umalis. Basta kapag may hindi ako magandang naramdaman o unexpected shortness of breath, kailangan kong maidala kaagad sa ospital.

We talked over breakfast and even after we're done, wala pa rin si Ephraim. Nagsisimula na akong mabahala.

"Nandito na kami!"

The door of my room immediately opened and I saw my friends walking in. I noticed the bouquet of yellow flowers in Calumn's right hand.

Without saying anything, he walked towards where I was. He then put the flowers on my lap as he sat on the stool beside the hospital bed.

It's a bouquet of yellow roses and sunflower. I smiled.

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"This is for you. I hope you will come back as bright as these flowers on your lap," he smiled too. "Or maybe brighter than these?"

I chuckled. "I-I'll try."

"Oh tama na ang landi! May dala kaming pizza!" Si Mariette na winagayway ang apat na boxes ng pizza sa pareho niyang kamay.

"Panira talaga 'to," kumento ni Psalm na kasunod niyang pumasok.

Tinulungan ni Mommy si Mariette na ilapag at ihanda iyon sa mesa. Kumuha naman si Psalm ng isang slice at inilagay sa saucer at saka ipinatong na sa bed table ko. I mouthed 'thanks'.

"Drinks?" Si Mommy.

"Hala! Oo nga pala. Nakalimutan kong bumili, Tita. Psalm—"

"No, no, no," Mommy cut Mariette off. "Ako na ang bibili ng inumin. Stay here with Sera and have fun before she leaves with Ephraim."

Mariette and Psalm stood up. Pinanood lang naman namin sila ni Calumn dito sa tabi.

"Naku, Tita, kami na. Since ako naman nakalimot—"

"Let me, Mariette. Please. Do me a favor and stay here with Sera. Psalm, 'wag mo na ako subukang pilitin."

Humalakhak na lang ako nang magsasalita pa lang sana si Psalm pero pinigilan na siya ni Mommy. Wala namang nagawa ang dalawa kung hindi tumango na lang at hayaan si Mommy sa gusto niya. She asked for our desired drinks before she went out of the room.

I took a snap of the bouquet that was placed on my bed table. When I was done taking photos, Mariette offered to arrange the flowers on my bedside table. Inilagay niya iyon sa isang mason jar.

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The once plain bedside table was now decorated with a yellow hue, and I think that's beautiful.

Malapit nang maghapon pero wala pa rin si Ephraim. Nasaan na ba siya? Darating pa ba?

"That kid," I heard Psalm murmured under his breath. "I'm going to kick his ass once I see him. Wala siyang karapatan na paghintayin ka nang ganito. Uupakan ko talaga-"