The Great Escape

Kabanata 30

Kabanata 30

Reality

After the commotion yesterday, I heard from Nurse Marie that the VIP patient—that's Ephraim—who's staying in the room next to mine was finally discharged.

"Nasaan na si Ephraim ngayon?" Psalm asked Nurse Marie and the latter's eyes grew wide.

"Y-You knew? Paanong—"

"We saw him yesterday night, Nurse Marie," Psalm snorted. "And I gave him solid punches straight on his face."

Nurse Marie released a sigh and hung her head low. She intertwined her fingers.

"I'm sorry. Hindi ko sa inyo masabi na si Ephraim ang nasa kabilang kwarto dahil iyon ang hiniling ng magulang niya."

Dahan-dahan siyang nag-angat ng tingin at tumama ang mga mata niya sa akin. I want to smile at her, tap her shoulders and tell her that it's okay. That I understand the situation. Hindi niya kailangang ma-guilty dahil hindi ako galit sa kanya.

But I can't do that. I can't move a single muscle. So I can only look at her and wish that my eyes was able to tell her that everything's fine with me.

"Alam ko kung gaano niyo kagustong makita siya ulit o malaman kung kumusta na siya. Sorry talaga."

"That's not your fault. You're just following his family's orders. Naiintindihan naman namin iyon," Psalm tapped her left shoulder.

"Salamat, Psalm," she shifted her gaze on me. "Pasensiya na talaga, Sera."

"I-It's o-okay," I replied, struggling.

After a few conversations, Nurse Marie offered to take me to the hospital garden for fresher air. Pumayag naman ako at tinulungan siya ni Psalm na maiupo ako sa wheelchair.

We took the lift and she pushed my wheelchair until we're finally at the hospital garden. May ilang pasyente rin na nakaupo sa mga benches kasama ang nurse, kaibigan o di kaya naman ay pamilya.

"I think you deserve to know everything I found out but I am not sure if you can take it..." malumanay niyang sabi.

She locked the wheels of my wheelchair before sitting down and leaning against the backrest of the wooden bench beside me. Inilagay niya ang parehong kamay sa bulsa ng kanyang uniform blouse.

Anong alam niya? At bakit siya nagda-doubt kung kakayanin ko ba ang mga sasabihin niya? Tungkol saan ba ang mga iyon?

Pity how this illness of mine took away a basic method of having a conversation with someone. Hindi ako makasagot kapag tinatanong, hindi ako makapagsalita kapag may gusto akong sabihin. Though kaya ko pa namang magsalita, madalas ay hindi na nila naiintindihan 'yon.

"I—" she was interrupted when her phone rang.

Inilabas niya ang cellphone at nasulyapan ko ang caller ID. Dr. Alvin Santos ang nakalagay.

She answered the call and I noticed how her expression changed. Mukhang kailangan na siya ngayon.

"Blink once if yes and twice if no, okay?" I blinked. "Gusto mo bang manatili muna rito?"

I blinked.

"Sige. Tatawagin ko na lang si Psalm para sunduin ka rito mamaya. Ayos ba iyon?" I blinked. "Pinatatawag kasi ako sa emergency room. Kailangan ako. Maiwan na muna kita."

I watched her take her leave to go straight in the emergency area of the hospital. Hindi na niya nasabi pa ang gusto niyang sabihin sa akin. I wonder what's that all about.