CTRL + S

The Affliction

A new day with the same pain and the same sadness. Hmmm, mabigat ang pakiramdam ko. I don't know why. Hindi ko naman na-foforget uminom ng gamot ko. Hinayaan ko nalang, baka inaantok lang ako.

The morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a soft glow on the plush carpet. I stretched, my muscles protesting with a familiar ache. "Yanni?" I called out, my voice hoarse from sleep. But only silence answered.

I stumbled out of bed, my head spinning. The world seemed to tilt, and I grabbed the nearest piece of furniture to steady myself. "Yanni?" I tried again, my voice a little louder this time. Still nothing.

I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to find Yanni preparing breakfast. But the kitchen was empty, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee hanging in the air. I felt a pang of disappointment. I needed Yanni's calming presence, his reassuring smile.

"Maybe she's in the garden" I thought, hoping to find her tending to the vibrant flowerbeds that lined the sprawling mansion grounds. I made my way towards the back door, but the garden was deserted.

I retreated back to my room, my head spinning again. The world seemed to be closing in on me, the walls of my room pressing against me.

"Tine iha, gising ka na pala. Ito, hinanda ko na damit mo na susuotin mo ngayon."

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Yanni stood by my closet, meticulously folding my clothes. She looked up, his eyes filled with concern. "Yanni? Paano? Ano pong ginagawa niyo dito?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Tine, pagkatapos mo mag-ayos, nandito na yung gamot sa ibabaw ng lamesa mo. Inumin mo nalang ha."

She smiled, her eyes twinkling. I watched him leave, my mind racing. How did she get in? I distinctly remember locking the door before I left.

"Maybe I'm just imagining things," I mumbled to myself, shaking my head. I needed to clear my head. I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face.

"Tine, pagkatapos mo mag-ayos, nandito na yung gamot sa ibabaw ng lamesa mo. Inumin mo nalang ha."

Her voice echoed in my head, a persistent whisper. I shook my head again, trying to dispel the unsettling feeling that something was wrong.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus on the day ahead. Today, Yanni and I were going to exercise. I needed to stay strong, to keep my body moving.

We jogged through the sprawling grounds of the mansion, the crisp morning air filling my lungs. The sun peeked through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the manicured lawns.

"Yanni, pwede po bang magkwento kayo tungkol sa buhay sa labas?" I asked, my voice filled with longing.

"Ah? Sa labas, masaya syempre. Maraming tao kang makakausap pero delikado rin kasi sa panahon ngayon kumpara sa panahon namin. Hindi na ligtas."

Her words painted a vivid picture of a world I could only dream of. A world filled with bustling crowds, vibrant colors, and endless possibilities.

"Kaya po ba ayaw akong payagang lumabas ni Daddy?"

"Oo, pero huwag kang magalala, Tine. Kapag naging maayos na ang sitwasyon mo, igagala kita sa labas. Syempre, magpapaalam muna tayo sa daddy mo. Tsaka yung mga bagay naman na meron sa labas, nandito na sa mansyon niyo eh."

She smiled, his eyes filled with warmth. I knew she was right. The mansion was a world unto itself, filled with everything I could ever need. But still, a part of me yearned for the freedom to explore, to experience life beyond these walls.

We spent the rest of the morning talking, Yanni sharing stories of his life outside the mansion. Her words painted a vibrant tapestry of a world I could only imagine.

"Tine, pagkatapos mo mag-ayos, nandito na yung gamot sa ibabaw ng lamesa mo. Inumin mo nalang ha."

Her voice echoed in my head again, a persistent reminder of the mystery that surrounded him. I shook my head, trying to push aside the unsettling feeling.

The day wore on, and as I sat with Yanni, watching her wash the dishes after lunch, a sharp pain pierced my head. I tried to ignore it, but it intensified, a searing wave of agony that threatened to consume me.

"Ahhhhh! Yanni, ang sakitttt!" I screamed, my voice filled with terror.

Yanni rushed to my side, his face etched with concern. She quickly called Daddy, his voice trembling.

"Patrick, lumalala na sitwasyon ni Christine. Kung dati gumagana ang mga medications na ibinibigay ko sa kanya, ngunit ngayon, unti unti na itong hindi tinatanggap ng katawan niya. Lumalabas na ang ibang sintomas ng sakit at mas magpapahirap pa ito sa kanya." Dr. John's voice echoed through the room, his words heavy with concern.

I drifted in and out of consciousness, the pain receding and returning in waves. When I finally woke up, my head throbbed, but the searing pain had subsided. I felt weak, drained, like a wilted flower.

Daddy sat by my bedside, his face etched with worry. He looked up, his eyes filled with love and concern.

"Anak, gising ka na pala. How's your feeling? May gusto kaba? Nagugutom ka ba?"

I smiled weakly, trying to reassure him. "Daddy, isa isa lang, mahina kalaban HAHAHA. Opo, ayos nako."

"Daddy, tandaan niyo po na mahal na mahal na mahal ko kayo. Kayo ni Yanni at sobra po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat."

"Anak, I love you too. Salamat at binigay ka sakin ng Panginoon. Laban lang, magiging maayos ka rin."

His words were a balm to my soul, a beacon of hope in the darkness. But deep down, I knew the truth. My illness was a relentless enemy, and the battle was far from over.

I looked at him, his face etched with worry. I knew he was fighting his own battle, the battle of a father who was losing his daughter.

I closed my eyes, a single tear rolling down my cheek. I was tired, so tired. But I would keep fighting, for Daddy, for Yanni, for myself.

"Tine, pagkatapos mo mag-ayos, nandito na yung gamot sa ibabaw ng lamesa mo. Inumin mo nalang ha."

His voice echoed in my head, a haunting reminder of the mystery that surrounded him. I shook my head, trying to dispel the unsettling feeling, but it lingered, a dark cloud hanging over my heart.

I knew I was running out of time. But I would cherish every moment, every breath, every smile, every tear. For in the face of adversity, love was my only solace, my only strength.