Running After The Wind(Manila Encounter Series 1)

33

-

"This is something serious now, Mrs. Villena. I think you should go consult to a cardiologist,"

I'm an all ears while listening to the physician talking to my grandmother. According to her, Moma's blood pressure is kind of above normal that's why she needs to seek for cardiologist's diagnosis.

"Wala naman po akong ibang nararamdaman, Doc. Infact, I was taking maintainance drug for almost 5 years now,"

"Yes po but as result to my observations, your heart was having shortage of oxygen level. Kung hindi po maagapan 'yan ay delikado," seryoso niyang sabi habang pinapalitan ang tingin sa kay Moma at sa'kin.

"Moma, Dra.'s right." I meddled in. "We're taking your referral, Doc. How we should get there?" I asked.

Nginitian niya ako at sinenyasan ang nurse rito sa loob na lumapit sa'min.

"Sasamahan kayo ni Maureen, alright? And if you were ask questions by Dr. Argente, just tell him my name..."

Kung kanina ay hilaw ang paniniwala kong makikita siya ngayon dito. Ngayon ay sigurado na!

This is such a cruel quirk of fate!

"Matagal na ba rito si Dr. Argente?" tanong ko sa nurse na nag-aassist sa'min.

"Hindi po ako sigurado. Pero ang alam ko po ay apat na buwan pa lang,"

"Ahh, okay.." I nodded.

Pagtingin ko sa kaliwa ko'y nakapukol na sa'kin ang makahulugang tingin ni Moma. Nagkibit-balikat ako at umastang hindi iyon bigdeal sa akin.

Nag-elevator pa kami para umakyat sa kasunod na palapag. Iniwan kami ni Maureen sakto sa labas ng opisina niya kaya ngayon ay hindi ko alam kung paano papasok.

"You're not okay," inilingan niya ako.

I pointed myself. "Me? Not okay? Ofcourse not! Bakit naman ako hindi magiging okay?"

She chuckled. "Bakit ka magiging okay? E, kung makikita mo sa loob ang ex mo na mahal mo pa rin?" binalik niya sa'kin ang tanong sabay sampal sa'kin ng katotohanan.

"Moma! Ang ingay mo!"

I looked around us. Baka mamaya nito ay tulad ng dati na nasa likuran ko na lang siya bigla!

"Halika na nga," hinila niya 'ko habang natatawa sa reaksiyon ko.

I breathed deeply as I stepped my feet ambling inside his medical office. The coldness sent by room's air conditioner just intensified my nervousness.

I wander around against my wayfarer. But before I could even do or say something, I was interrupted by someone's clearing of throat.

Prente siyang nakaupo sandal sa kaniyang upuan.

"Good morning, Doc." I genuinely smiled.

I tried so hard to be confident in front of him. But it's just too difficult to take in his cold stares.

"Good morning. Have a seat," he gestured us his front chairs.

I slowly walked towards his direction and swiftly sat on the said spot. Tinikom ni Moma ang bibig na parang natatawa sa akin.  Dumekwatro ako ng upo at sinundan niya iyon ng tingin habang ginagawa ko.