Chapter 13

Having the sight of him after months that we have not been together, I run towards his direction and Aldridge welcomed me with an open arms. He then locked me inside.

“I missed you,” I expressed as I hug him back, a kind of hug which is so tight and is longing for him.

“I missed you, too,” I heard him replied softly. Hinaplos din nito ang buhok ko at ramdam ko pa ‘yung paghalik niya sa ulo ko.

We’ve been apart for almost three months. Just after the graduation last April, they stayed only for a week here saka sila bumiyahe papuntang probinsya ng mom niya.

Alam kong uuwi sila ngayon pero hindi niya ipinaalam sa akin dahil gusto niya raw akong surpresahin. Pero dahil nga sa kasabwat ko si Tita Amelia, his mom, who told me that they will be arriving today, instead of surprising me, I was the one who surprised Aldridge.

After that hug, he pinched my nose. “Hindi ko alam kung ako ba talaga ang anak ni Mama o kung ikaw, e.” Natawa na lang ako sa sinabi niya.

Inakbayan ako nito sa braso at nilapit niya ako sa kanya hanggang sa halikan ulit nito ang ulo ko. “Let’s go inside."

His parents prepared snacks for us. Dahil sa abala silang ipasok ang mga gamit nila, I insisted on Tita Amelia na ako na lang ‘yung magtuloy sa tinitimpla niyang juice.

“Here na po," I offered them while placing the tray containing the glasses and a pitcher on the center table.

“Sige lang, hija. Ipasok lang namin ‘yung iba para makapagpahinga na rin kami pagkatapos,” Tito Rafael explained. Napatango naman ako at umupo na lamang doon sa tapat ng mesa.

When Axis entered carrying a big box, I gave him a smile. Si Tita naman ay binitbit lang iyong mga maliliit na bag. I also volunteered to help them pero hindi nila ako pinayagan.

“Whoo! Kapagod,” ani Tito Rafael nang maipasok na nila lahat ng kanilang mga gamit saka ito naupo. Tita Amelia then wiped his sweaty face.

Napatingin naman ako sa direksyon ni Aldridge na siyang kabababa lamang sa hagdan. Napahinto pa ito noong eksaktong nasa last step na siya at napahawak pa siya sa kanyang ulo. Maybe he was tired.

“Aldridge,” I called him and he looked at my direction. Ngumiti ito sa akin pero biglang nagbago ang expression ng kanyang mukha na para bang nasasaktan siya. Shaking his head, he then walked towards my direction.

I then poured a juice on his glass and as soon as he got near me, I handed it to him. But what surprised me is after taking that glass, it suddenly slipped off in his hands and I immediately caught him when he lost his balance.

“Aldridge!” I wobbled.

Agad naman kaming nilapitan ng parents niya at pinaupo namin ito. Katulad ng nakaraan, nakahawak lang ito sa kanyang ulo kasabay ng mahina niyang pagdaing. Worry quickly seeped into my body.

Sa totoo lang ay nag-aalala ako sa kanya. It was not the first time for me to see him like this. Ilang beses na. And every time I see him in this state, I couldn’t help but think too much.

I am not a doctor yet. I haven’t even started the college also but as a future doctor myself, iba ang pumapasok sa isip ko kapag ganito ang nangyayari sa kanya. I can’t help it and I am really worried.

“I’m just tired,” rinig kong sagot nito sa parents niya.

Agad namang nilinisan ng Mom niya ‘yung kalat ng bubog sa sahig. When Aldridge raised his head, our eyes met. He gave me an assuring smile pero hindi no’n naaalis ang pag-aalala ko sa kanya.

“Meg.”

“Hm,” I answered.

“You seem quiet,” he commented. Ilang minuto ang lumipas, hinarap ko siya at binigyan siya ng ngiting pilit.

“I am worried, Aldridge,” I honestly told him. “If you’re sick, you can tell me. I am really afraid about the thoughts building in my mind every time I see you from that kind of state,” with soft voice, I told him what I truly feel.

Leaning on the railings, he took my hand and played my fingers. “I am okay, Meg. I really am, so you don’t have to worry, hm?” He then opened his arm and I moved beside him so he could hug me.

Matapos naming magmiryenda kanina, nagstay pa kami roon sa sala nila. Bandang hapon na nang tumambay kami rito sa veranda nila and since it’s just the two of us, I opened that topic.

Yes, he told his parents that he was just tired but I could not able to accept his reason. This has happened to him for couple of times already. I don’t know if it just happened coincidentally pero hindi ko talaga maiwasang hindi mag-alala nang husto.

Before dark invades the place, that’s when I got home. Inihatid pa ako ni Aldridge sa tapat ng bahay namin.

“Good night,” I tiptoed and reached for his left cheek.

Not wanting to go home without seeing me enter, I waved my hand to him. Gusto niya kasing makitang makapasok muna raw ako bago siya umalis.

“Ingat ka,” I smiled before finally entering the house. As I got inside, through the glass door, nakita ko ang pagtalikod nito hanggang sa mawala na siya sa paningin ko.

“OMG!” Pinipigilan ko ang sarili kong ngumiti nang mapadpad ako sa website ng University of Santo Tomas.

While browsing, UST’s website suddenly popped into my notification. Tungkol iyon sa University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test. The results were out last January pero kahit hindi sigurado kung nagtake ba si Aldridge sa exam na ‘yon, kaagad ko pa ring hinanap ang name niya and luckily, his name was appeared there.

“Love!” patili kong bati sa kanya nang sagutin nito ang tawag ko.

[Hey, what’s up, love?] Bati nito.

“Nakapasa ka pala sa USTET, hindi mo sinabi sa akin,” I told him.

[During that time, we are not that close yet, Meg. At nakakahiya naman kung bigla kong sasabihin sa’yong nakapasa ako.] he replied and even laughed. Natawa rin tuloy ako.

Well, he’s definitely right. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay noong October din yata ang deadline nung entrance exam sa UST and during that time, hindi pa naman namin kilala ang isa’t isa for him to tell me everything.

[July 27 is the date of our enrollment—]

“Sige, sasamahan kita,” putol ko sa sasabihin niya dahilan para tawanan ako nito.

Tapos na rin naman kasi ang enrollment namin sa UP. Online siya but still, sabay pa rin kaming nag-enroll ni Shane. I just don’t know yet about our sched. Ibibigay siya kapag malapit na ang pasukan this coming August. Sana lang talaga ay magkaklase ulit kami.

Week passed. Aldridge message me this morning. Alas dyes daw kaming pupunta sa UST ngayon para sa enrollment niya.

After taking a bath, I decided to just wear a simple outfit. It’s a wide leg pants which I paired with spaghetti strap for my upper. I also layered it with draped blazer so it would still look with decency lalo pa’t university ang pupuntahan namin.

We just took a cab while heading our way there. Pagkarating namin sa UST, marami na ring estudyante ang nandoon. Aldridge just told me to find myself a place where I could wait for him kaysa ang sasamahan ko pa raw siya. Baka raw ay mapagod lang ako kasusunod sa kanya. He also added na baka matatagalan siya since dagsaan ang mga enrollees ngayon.

“I’ll message you later,” Aldridge slightly messed my hair before he left from the spot where I will be staying at.

Left alone, pinagmasdan ko na lang ‘yung mga estudyanteng parito’t paroon. May iilan ding nakatambay rito sa tinambayan ko. I even saw two of my former classmates in Grade 12 who will study here that’s why sinamahan muna nila ako saglit.

It’s Mina and Ayrine. Hihintayin pa raw kasi nila ‘yung isa pa nilang kaibigan kaya tumambay muna sila rito. Nagkataon namang nakita nila ako that’s why they approached me.

“Girlfriend duties, huh?” pang-aasar ng mga ito sa akin nang sabihin ko sa kanilang sinamahan ko si Aldridge para sa enrollment niya.

“Tumigil nga kayo!” I shyly told them and the two just laughed at me.

Hindi nagtagal, dumating na ‘yung hinihintay nila kaya naman ay iniwan na nila akong mag-isa roon. Buti na lang ay mayroon akong dalang snacks kaya ‘yon ‘yung kinain ko habang nakatambay doon na mag-isa.

After more than one hour, Aldridge then came.

“How was it?” salubong ko sa kanya.

“It was done. Third week of August start ng class namin. Are you hungry? Let’s grab our lunch now.” Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya saka kami umalis sa lugar na iyon.

Aldridge and I took our lunch in Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant. Malapit lang kasi ‘yun sa UST. I told him to just eat in a fast food chain but he told me it’s his treat after months of being away from each other. Although nanghihinayang ako sa presyo, hindi ko magawang itago ‘yung kilig na nararamdaman ko. Gosh, babae lang din po ako!

Holding each other’s hand, naglalakad kami ni Aldridge ngayon sa Quadricentennial Fountain. Bumalik ulit kaming UST dahil may kukunin pa raw siya. Hindi nga lang niya nabanggit kung ano ‘yon.

As we are walking while holding each other’s hand, hindi ko maiwasang hindi isipin ‘yung time na sinagot ko siya. Nasa park din kasi kami no’ng time na ‘yon and there’s also a fountain in that place. I just can’t stop myself from reminiscing those moments, though.

“Nakangiti ka. Para kang baliw,” biglang usal ni Aldridge. Napailing naman ako. Hindi ko naman kasi aakalaing papansinin niya ako.

“May inaalala lang ako,” saad ko.

“Inaalala mo pa, kahawak-kamay mo na nga, e,” Aldridge uttered and when I realized what he just answered, obviously referring to himself, mahina ko itong hinampas.

“Ang kapal mo, ha?” and that was followed by his laughter. As time goes by, iba-ibang side talaga ng lalaking ‘to ang napapansin ko.

“Oy, problema mo?” tanong ko sa kanya nang bigla itong mapahawak sa lamp post malapit sa amin gamit ang free hand niya. His grip loosen from me. Sa halip ay sa poste ito napahawak nang mahigpit.

“Aaaah!” Aldridge suddenly groaned, now holding in the lamp post in support of himself.

“Aldridge,” just by calling his name, my heart started to crumble in fear.

“Aaaaah!” muling daing nito, now holding both of his temple, trying to stop the throbbing pain he’s feeling. His groan is also getting louder and louder and it makes me worry even more.

Napaupo na rin ito kaya dali-dali ko siyang nilapitan. “Aldridge, hey,” tawag ko sa pangalan niya. “Are you okay? Anong nangyayari sa’yo?” nag-aalala kong tanong pero ang tanging sagot lang nito ay ang pagdaing niya sa sakit na kanyang nararamdaman.

He’s trying his best to press his temple so the pulsating pain will subside.

Hindi nagtagal, mas lalo akong kinabahan nang biglang mag-iba ang galaw nito. He can’t control his movements this time. Tears welled from my eyes as I gripped him hard, trying to stop him from moving. I don’t want to accept this fact but he’s now having a seizure for I don’t know why he’s suddenly suffering from this.

“Help, please! Tulungan niyo po ako! Help us, please,” I cried in tears while asking some help to people.

Palala na kasi nang palala ‘yung pagdaing at ang kakaibang kilos ni Aldridge at hindi ko siya kayang tignan sa ganitong sitwasyon.

Isang grupo ng magkakaibigan ang lumapit sa amin. Tinulungan nilang alalayan patayo si Aldridge but he lost his balance, after which, he also loss his consciousness at mas lalong nadagdagan ang kaba ko noon.

While this group helped me carry Aldridge, especially the boys, natatarantang tinawagan ko si Tita Amelia to inform her about Aldridge’s condition. After that call, nakasunod lamang ako roon sa nagbuhat kay Aldridge hanggang sa makarating kami sa UST Hospital.

As the doctor admitted Aldridge inside of one room, I weakly seated on the hospital bench chair in front of it. With hands being intertwined, I can feel it trembling. Later on, I bit my thumbnail, hoping that it will suppress the worry I am feeling.

From the footsteps I heard, I immediately stood up when I saw Tita Amelia and Tito Rafael walking near me.

“How is he, hija?” salubong ni Tita sa akin.

“I don’t know po. Hindi pa po lumalabas ‘yung doctor,” nanginginig ang boses na saad ko.

Tita Amelia approached me and asked me to sit down. She even caressed my face, telling me that Aldridge will be alright. Napatango naman ako at kahit papaano ay nabawasan ‘yung kabang nararamdaman ko.

While waiting for the doctor to come out, Aldridge’s parents shared some random stuff to me. Siguro ay paraan nila iyon para mawala ‘yung pag-aalala ko. They even shared to me some embarrassing moments Aldridge has experienced. They’re laughing while sharing that to me but I can’t seem to find joy in their eyes.

Yes, they are laughing but I can read too much worry in their eyes. I also noticed Tita Amelia’s hands trembling just like what I have felt earlier.

As the door opened, halos sabay-sabay kaming tatlo sa pagtayo. But unlike Tito Rafael, si Tita Amelia ang mismong sumalubong sa doctor.

“How’s my son, doc? Is he okay?” Tita’s voice began to break after uttering that words.

“He’s way better this time. We will require him to take antiepileptic drugs which may lead him to seizure control especially if he’s going to experience epileptic seizure again,” the doctor explained.

“But what caused him to experience an epileptic seizure, Doc?” Tito Raphael intervened, sounded confused.

“Based on the stitches on his head, the seizures may be related to the cells that have developed into his brain or they may be due to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain—”

“What do you exactly mean, Doc? I don’t get it. My son is fine. He’s all fine. But why is he suffering like this now?” mas lalong halata ang basag sa boses ni Tita Amelia na kulang na lang ay gumaralgal ito.

Standing on their side, I don’t know what’s happening, too. Wala akong maintindihan sa mga pinag-uusapan nila. Hearing the word seizure, the stitches, the cells, the imbalance of chemicals, the brain, I don’t know how should I feel. The way they exchange words made me feel anxious in no time.

“What did you find out about his condition? Is my son suffering from something? From illness? From—”

“Your son is having a brain tumor recurrence, and this time, it is very crucial to his condition”,” pahayag ng doctor na siyang naging dahilan para manghina ako sa kinatatayuan ko, hanggang sa mapaupo na lamang ako.

It wasn’t a bomb, but just like a bomb, that news exploded; letting me feel a jolting sensation which I had never experience before.

Tito Rafael, who’s standing beside Tita Amelia went near me to help me get up, but I was already rooted on that bench chair.

Not realizing the tears coming from my eyes, my body started shivering, and what the doctor told us kept playing on my mind.

Brain tumor recurrence...

Pakiramdam ko ay nawala lahat ng lakas sa katawan ko dahil sa rebelasyong nalaman ko.

Aaminin kong noong napapansin kong laging sumasakit ang ulo ni Aldridge, I thought of him having an illness. I don’t want to conclude that time. Kahit gano’n ‘yung sitwasyon niya, pinilit ko ang sarili kong huwag isiping may karamdaman siya, but hearing what the doctor just uttered, hindi ko aakalaing ganito na pala kaseryoso.

And hearing that his condition is more crucial this time, I wasn’t able to stop my outburst cry.

This is not just a simple illness, for Pete’s sake, it's a brain tumor. How would you feel after learning that the person you love has a brain tumor?