Pieces of Pastiche

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

"Stephanie!"

Sinalubong ako ni Papa at Mama. My father is in his late 60's already and my mother's in her mid 60's. Hindi ko napapansin na parehas na pala silang tumatanda. Ganun pala talaga, we are really busy growing up but we forgot that they are also growing old.

Agaran kong niyakap si Papa. I felt my tears pooling so I looked up. Ayokong umiyak sa harapan niya. I need to be strong.

"Let's eat our lunch?"

Mas pinili kong pumunta ng mas maaga rito. Wala pa kong tulog magmula nung matapos ako sa operasyon kaninang madaling araw. Gusto sana akong hinatid ni Ar cher pero mas minabuti ko na lang din an ako na lamang mag isa ang pumunta dito.

"How are you, iha? We're so proud of your project in Africa." My mother commented. I smiled at her and nodded.

"That was just an accident, Mama. Nag emergency landing nag sinasakyan naming eroplano. My co-surgeons decided to help the people there."

"Kyla will be very happy. Atleast her heart is doing something good."

Para akong sinampal sa sakit ng pagpapamukha saking nabubuhay pa rin ako para kay Kyla. Her heart is doing something good? Hindi ba pwedeng ako iyon?

Kahit kailan ba hindi ako makikita ni Papa bilang ako? Kulang na lang yata ay kuhanin ko pati mukha ni Kyla.

"Vincent, it is Stephanie's initiative. Let's praise her for that, can we?" pagtatanggol ni mommy. I suddenly felt a strong feeling in my chest. I always feel this whenever everything's being heavy.

Nung mag break kami ni James, pinilit kong hindi masyadong malungkot. Hindi kakayanin ng puso ko. My heart might be functioning well unlike when I was a kid but it isn't on its one hundred percent.

"I'm just saying Kyla will be happy. That's it."

"Okay lang, Ma." I told my mom. She smiled apologetically at me. Nginitian ko na lang.

"Papa, may hindi ka sinasabi sakin." Panimula ko. Kumunot naman ang noo ni Papa at maya maya ay parang may naalala.

"Ah! I went to Dr. Montero last week because I feel like something is wrong with me. Hindi naman ako nagsasakit ng ulo at hindi rin malabo ang mata ko kaya nagpa-MRI ako. Turns out I have anuerysm. I'll schedule an operation with Dr. Montero."

Napabuntong hininga ako. Iba pala kapag sa Papa mo mismo nanggaling. Binaba ko ang kubyertos na hawak ko at nagfocus kay Papa.

"Can we find another doctor? Dr. Montero's techniques were too old fashioned and I want to recommend another doctor." Wala nang paligoy-ligoy kong sabi. Ngayon si Papa naman ang nagseryoso. Binaba na ri n niya ang kubyertos na hawak. He sipped some water before he turned to me.

"Dr. Montero is a nice friend of mine. My surgery's going to be successful."

"But Papa-"

"I am a doctor too, I know what's good for me and what's not."

"Why don't we consider Stephanie's judgements, Vincent? Our daughter is a neurosurgeon afterall."

"You don't know anything about Neurosurgery. You're just an OB. She's not capable o-"

"Pag si Kyla siguro ang nagsuggest susundin niyo po, ano? Hindi niyo ko susundin kasi hindi naman po ako si Kyla. Puso niya lang ang meron ako. Natatakot lang naman po ako para sa inyo. Pero kung pati iyon ay ipagkakait niyo sakin, hindi ko na po alam."

I stood up and went up stairs. Narinig ko pa ang tawag nila Mama pero dirediretso na kong nagkulong sa kwanrto. I want to cry pero parang napapagod na ko umiyak