Parted Ways

CHAPTER SEVEN

Natutop ako sa kinauupuan ko, bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay naramdaman ko na ang pagtayo ni Samuel.

"I'm sorry, Aruzel." and then he ran away, leaving me alone.

Bakit? Bakit ganoon nalang ang reaksyon ni Caden? Bakit parang takot na takot si Samuel? Bakit? Bakit? Bakit?

I don't wanna assume, last time I assumed, nasaktan lang ako.

Nagpasya na rin akong umalis at bumalik na sa mga magulang ko.

"Anak, where have you been? And oh where is Samuel?" Mom caught her friends' attention.

"He's around, Mom."

"Amelia, dalaga na ang anak mo," one of her friend stood up to check on me. "She grew up very beautiful."

"Thank you po." I smiled politely.

"Kanino pa ba magmamana ano?" then they both laughed.

Nagpaalam ako sa kanila upang pumunta sa aking ama.

After a couple of minutes Dad spoke.

"Anak, are you not feeling well or something?" napansin na pala ni Dad ang kawalan ng gana ko, gusto ko na lang magkulong sa kwarto ko sa totoo lang.

"Dad can we go.. home." I whispered.

"Hon, nagpaalam na ako. We can go home now." napabaling ako sa aking ina, I was saved by the bell.

"Sure, Aruzel seems like she's not feeling well," Mom smiled at me. "Let's go, anak."

I showered and then let myself fall freely on my bed as soon as we got home.

Hindi ko na alam kung anong una kong iisipin. Kung anong una kong gagawin. This day sucks a lot.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulugan ko na pala ang pag-iisip, nagising nalang ako dahil tumatama na ang sinag ng araw sa aking mukha. Nang subukan kong takpan ito upang labanan ang liwanag, naramdaman ko ang lagkit ng natuyong mga luha.

I looked at my digital clock. Today is Saturday and it's already 9:00 in the morning.

Bumangon ako ngunit bago pa man ako makatayo, natumba ako pabalik sa higaan ko.

Ang sakit, ang sakit sakit ng ulo ko parang pinipiga ito. Naramdaman ko rin ang katuyuan ng lalamunan ko.

I tried it again for a couple of times but I just constantly fell.

What in the world is happening?

I couldn't do something, I can't even talk! Naramdaman ko nanaman ang pagbigat ng aking dibdib kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi umiyak nalang muli.

I felt a hand lightly tapping my cheek.

"Anak, wake up," kinusot ko ang aking mata at nakita ko ang nag-aalalang mukha ng aking ina. "Take a medicine, you're hot and you look pale."

"Mo-m." I can't talk properly.

"Oh my God, get up we'll go to the doctor now!" she commanded in a problematic tone.

She stood up and dialed someone.

"Yes, amiga. We'll be there in an hour." huling narinig ko bago siya tumungo sa pinto at lumabas.

Sinubukan kong tumayo at buti na lang nagawa ko nang hindi natutumba.

I took a half bath before going downstairs.

"Let's go," she said in a soft tone and then hugged me. "Your father left early today, hindi namin alam na masama pala ang pakiramdam mo. Sorry, anak."

"Mo-m I can no-t talk prop-erly." I tried my best to utter these words.

"Alright we'll go now." and then we finally went inside the car.

Mom drove fast, if Dad was here, she'll be totally screwed up.

A nurse immediately welcomed us and led us to a room.

"Doc, they're here." he said and then finally let us in.

A woman in its early 40's was sitting into her swivel chair. She looks gorgeous even with her slight wrinkles.

"Amiga!" my mother find her way to hers.

Then the doctor turned her gaze to me.

"Maupo ka, hija." then she performed the usual routines of a doctor.

"How do you feel?"

Bumaling ako sa aking ina na parang nagmamakaawa. I can't talk, I'll let my mother tell her that.

"Oh right, she can't talk properly." my mother interrupted her.

"Can you open your mouth?" I did what she said.

"Nanunuyo ang lalamunan mo hija, I think you're dehydrated. We'll conduct further tests to confirm if thoroughly." she turned her gaze to my mother and then back to me. "Have you released liters of water from your body? I mean from your urine or have you cried much? Some things like that?"

Oh my God, I am doomed.

Minutes passed and I haven't answered her yet. How can I say it? Bakit ba kasi umabot pa sa ganito? Dapat pala lumaklak ako ng isang drum na tubig.

"Amiga, your phone is ringing." my mother said.

"Oh it's probably my son. He's so problematic kaya kanina after I told him na may emergency ako ngayon." she glanced at me and continued talking with my mother.

Her phone rang again, she finally picked it up.

"Hello, son? Yes ngayon lang. Okay, okay." after that she turned her attention to the papers in front of her.

"Is it okay if you'll stay here for an hour or two? Pwede niyong hintayin yung results or balikan nalang bukas."

"Can I get her a room instead? Para mas makapagpahinga siya at matutukan na." my Mom suggested.

"Sure, amiga. Let's prepare for it."

Tumayo na kami at handa nang lumabas noong biglang may pumasok.

I felt my knees weakened.

"Anak, nandito kana pala."

Nilapitan niya ang kaniyang anak at niyakap ito. "Hija, this is my son Caden. I believe you know each other?"

Bakit ang tanga ko? I should've known this earlier when I got a chance to look at her nameplate! Foolish me!

He smiled a bit. "Are you okay now?"