Summertime Regrets

09

LOVE CHAIN

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Dinala ko siya sa mini garden ng hospital at umupo kami sa wooden bench na nasa gilid.

"It's not late to say good morning, right?" bulong niya sa 'kin, hindi siya gaano kalayo kaya rinig ko ito. "Good morning, Hazel Ruth."

He made me feel better. I talk so many random things and he listens to each one of them. He made me laugh and forget what happened Yesterday.

"Nga pala, bakit ako napunta rito? 'Tsaka, ang layo ni mama galing sa hospital na 'to, bakit siya narito?" Taka ko siyang tinignan. Naubusan na ako ng masabi kaya tinanong ko na lang sa kaniya 'yong katanungan na bumabagabag sa 'kin kanina.

Tumikhim siya at nagbaba ng tingin bago magsalita.

"I brought you here when you lost consciousness." My heart skipped a beat, binuhat niya ba ako kung gano'n? "Unang tinawagan ng Doctor 'yong papa mo, pero hindi agad nakasagot kaya 'yong mama mo na lang ang tinawagan niya."

As expected, how can he answer a call when he's in a cozy hut?

"Kagabi.." Nakuha ulit ang atensyon ko nang magsalita si Dominic. "Why did you go out? Anong nangyari at umiiyak ka?" Tumingin siya ng diretso sa mga mata ko, walang emosyon na nababasa sa mga mata niya.

"Uh.. may nakita lang ako. Just like what you saw years ago." I know I left confusion in his mind. That's why just a second after, I told him everything.

"I'm proud of you, Ruth." Kumunot ang noo ko, what's his being proud of? "You've been through a lot of hardship these years, but you still acted like everything's fine. You overcome all those trials." Tumingin siya sa 'kin ang ngumiti nang magaan.

It made my heart skip a beat again and sent electricity through my veins. The side of my lips rose, having him by my side made everything lighter. I've been with my silent battles for months, and even my best friends don't know about it.

"We will just do a check-up, ilang buwan ka na ring hindi nagpapatingin sa mata mo. It is very risky not having a monthly check-up. So as soon as possible, please visit me here." Nakatuon si Doctor Alquezar sa paghahanda ng check-up ko. He also said he would check my feet condition to avoid sore feet.

We just had plenty of check-ups after he called my mother to go inside.

"She might need laser treatment if her condition worsens. Pero sa ngayon, nakakakita pa naman siya ng normal. She only had a temporary retinopathy, so there's nothing to worry about. But.." Tumingin siya sa 'kin bago muling nagsalita. "You must not skip your insulin shot or pump, at dapat may blood-sugar management ka. I promised that I won't keep a secret to you, Ruth, kay sasabihin ko na 'to as soon as possible."

Bumunton hininga si Dr. Alquezar bago kami pinasadahan ng tingin.

"You have type one diabetes. And it is uncurable. But having type one diabetes doesn't mean you won't have a healthy life. You could still live normally, the only differences are you should have control and you have food limitations."

Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya, gusto ko mang magsalita pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko. I'd like to complain, but it's my fault.. I guess.

"It's okay, anak. As the Doctor said, you could still live normally." Hinagod ni mama ang likod ko.

Kaya ba kahit paanong hintay ko ay hindi pa rin ako gumagaling?

"She must have a check-up twice a month, if possible.."

Does it mean I will live the rest of my life with this disease?