Something Phenomenal

Phenomenal: Five

Day 1 out of hospital

My room was nearly empty except for the things that's been there noong dumating ako. Wala na ang mga nagkalat na libro at notebooks, o ang mga nakadikit na pictures sa pader. Ang natira nalang ay maliliit na mantsa ng pen ink sa mesa at mga pinag-alisan ng tapes sa pader.

"Oh, I won't miss you," I said as I pack the last clothes on my bag. Even the IV that's been connected on my hands since day one was now removed. My hands were now free and ready to punch someone.

The nurses and staff of my unit congratulated me. They even gave me a bouquet of pink tulips. As much as I don't want to see them again because that means bad news, I'd surely miss them.

"Sigurado ka ba hindi na kita ihahatid?" tanong ni Mama nang bumaba kami sa lobby. Every few seconds, someone-- a nurse, staff or patient-- would greet her.

"Shane would pick me up."

I was sitting on the wheelchair, just the protocol. Though I feel completely fine. Katabi ko ang natitirang bag ng mga gamit ko and my cozy blanket.

"Okay then. Derecho sa bahay," paalala niya.

I watched her leave the lobby to attend to the patients waiting for her in her clinic. Nang makaalis siya, I quickly texted Shane. Punta tayo mall. May bibilhin ako.

I was grinning the entire time while sitting on the passenger's seat of Shane's car.

"Ang sabi ng mama mo uwi agad," paalala ni Shane na nakatingin sa daan.

"Bakit? May bibilhin lang naman ako ah," inosenteng sinabi ko.

"Tigil-tigilan mo ako, Gab. Alam ko 'yang ugali mo."

Humagikgik ako. "E'di sasamahan mo ako?"

He let out a short, defeated sigh. "Ano pa nga ba?"

Nang nasa parking lot na kami ng mall, hindi agad kami makaalis sa sasakyan dahil nag-aaway kami.

"It's a public place, Gab. Isuot mo ang mask mo."

"Ayoko. I'll look like a sick person."

"You are a sick person."

I crossed my arms, which still has the cotton balls and tape from the wound of my IV, and gave him a sharp gaze.

"Ayokong itakbo ka pabalik sa hospital."

Tinitigan ko siya. I released the breath I didn't know I've been holding during the entire argument. "Okay whatever," sabay irap.

Inalis ko ang seat belt saka ako may naalala. Hindi ko pala dapat siya inaaway.

Umusog ako palapit sa kanya nang may ngiti. That angelic smile he knows too well lalo na tuwing may kailangan ako sa kanya. Kaya hindi pa ako nagsasalita, napapakamot na siya ng ulo.

"Pwede pautang? Wala pala akong dalang pera."

We were in the book store. I was wearing a mask. I hate it, honestly. If I could, I would remove the damn thing. But that also means exposing myself to harm and I couldn't afford that for now. Lalo na kalalaya ko lang.

"Doon ka muna," sabi ko kay Shane habang nakasalampak ako sa sahig ng bookstore sa gitna ng aisle ng mga libro. Isa isa kong tinignan ang mga gusto kong bilhin. "Magtingin ka muna sa ibang shop. Matagal pa ako dito."

Paano ba naman, nakatayo lang siya at naghihintay sa'kin. I don't want that kind of pressure. I'm in a bookstore for pity's sake. I could live in here if I could.

Lumapit siya at nag-squat sa tabi ko. "Dito lang ako, maghihintay. Baka takasan mo pa ako."

I peeled my gaze away from the excerpt of the book I was holding saka bumaling kay Shane. Nakatingin siya sa card na hawak ko sa isang kamay. A debit card with his name, Shane Arguelles.