Chapter 14

“He was in 10th grade when he was first admitted in the hospital. They were playing soccer that time, it’s actually a soccer tournament in their school,” Tita Amelia heave a deep sigh when she started telling me things about Aldridge.

“After the game, his team was announced as the champion. His Dad and I saw how happy he was after that announcement. Hanggang ngayon nga ay natatandaan ko pa nga kung gaano siya kasaya no’ng oras na iyon, e. Among all people, I can say that Aldridge was the happiest person especially when they received their trophy,” she smiled, producing soft laughter, then later Tita Amelia pursed her lips.

“But just after receiving their trophy, he suddenly fainted, still holding the trophy in his hand. We rushed him in the hospital and there, we found out that he has a brain tumor,” paliwanag ni Tita Amelia sa akin. Bahagya rin itong pumagilid sa akin at nakita ko ang pasikreto niyang pagpunas sa kanyang mga luha.

“He had undergone resection and chemotherapy during those days. After months of treatments, he was able to fought it, that he had survived from it, but I didn’t know and I never imagined that his brain tumor would come back,” pumiyok ang boses ni Tita dahil sa mga salitang huling binanggit niya at kitang-kita ko na ngayon iyong luhang kumawala sa kanyang mga mata.

She also added that Aldridge was supposed to have his team’s victory party in their house but turns out that they can’t have it because how could they rejoice after knowing that he has a brain tumor?

While hearing Aldridge’s story, of the things he went through, I shifted my gaze away and secretly wiped my tears too. I even bit my lower lip just so I could not make any convulsing sobs. Lalo na noong maalala ko ‘yung panahon na naglaro sila Aldridge ng soccer noong high school.

“Marunong ka pa lang maglaro,”  that’s what I asked him before after they play.

“I used to play before,” he answered. That time, I sensed a bitterness in his voice but I didn’t ask him anymore.

Habang naglalakad na kami noon, bigla itong nawalan ng balanse sa kanyang sarili. Good thing I was able to caught him. I even asked if he’s okay and he just answered me that his head hurts a little.

I thought that was normal after playing vigorous games, lalo pa’t soccer iyong nilaro nila noon. But hearing his story through his mom, I didn’t know that there was a painful story behind his favorite sport.

I again secretly wiped my tears before shifting my gaze into Aldrige’s direction.

We are inside his room. Nakahiga ito sa kanyang hospital bed at mahimbing ang kanyang tulog. Aldridge stayed for three days inside the UST Hospital. After his CT scan result was out, they immediately processed his patient transfer. Ngayon ay nasa St. Luke’s na siya kung saan siya unang na-admit dahil nandito raw ‘yung doctor na humawak sa kanya noon.

He haven’t woken up yet. Siguro ay dahil iyon sa mga gamot na ibinigay nila sa kanya.

According to his CT scan, his brain tumor is malignant this time and he needs to undergo similar procedures he underwent before. At kailangan muna niyang magstay sa hospital para matutukan nila ‘yung kundisyon niya.

I smiled weakly when the first week of my college has ended. Kumaway lang ako kay Shane bago ito tuluyang umuwi. Good thing we are classmates. When she’s out of my sight, sa halip na dumiretso sa bahay ay sa hospital ako nagtungo.

“How is he po?” tanong ko kay Tito Rafael after seeing him.

“He fell asleep after taking his med. Ang Tita mo naman ay bumili saglit ng pagkain,” napatango ako rito saka ako naglakad sa direksyon ni Aldridge.

Placing my bag at the couch, I took one stool and sat at his side. Mahimbing ngang natutulog si Aldridge ngayon. Kahit papaano ay nagising naman na siya and his way of sleeping this time is for him to regain back his strength.

Saglit na nagpaalam si Tito Rafael sa akin para salubungin niya raw si Tita Amelia sa baba. Tumango naman ako at sinabi kong ako na lang muna ang magbabantay kay Aldridge.

Sitting at his side now, I caressed Aldridge’s cheek and stared at him long. Maya-maya pa ay naramdaman ko ang kamay nito sa kamay kong nakahawak sa pisngi niya.

“You’re here,” mahinang usal nito sa akin the moment he opened his eyes.

I smiled at him. “Yeah. Katatapos lang ng klase namin and I headed directly here because I already missed you,” then I giggled, pinching his cheek softly.

Napailing naman ito. When I saw him wanting to stand up, I immediately clicked the hospital bed side rail at unti-unti itong tumaas.

Aldridge then slightly tapped the space beside him and giving me that gesture, I happily sat beside him, now facing him this near.

“Magpagaling ka oy. A week after next na start ng klase niyo.” I reminded him.

“Kaya ko naman. I’m feeling better this time, so, I guess I can make it in the first day of school,” nakangiti nitong saad. “How are you, Meg?” tanong nito matapos ng bahagyang katahimikan na namutawi sa pagitan naming dalawa.

“I’m all fine. Kailan pa ako hindi naging okay?” natatawa kong tanong sa kanya pabalik.

“Kaya pala bigla-bigla kang umiiyak sa akin noong high school,” he replied sarcastically and I immediately hit him because of what he said. Natawa naman ito habang pinakatitigan ko lang siya nang seryoso.

“How about you? How are you?” I asked back.

“I am fine,” he smiled a little. Later, he met my gaze and look at me deeply. “Are you mad that I didn’t tell you my situation?”

“I don’t have the right to be mad, Aldridge. Alam kong katulad namin ay hindi mo rin inaasahang babalik ulit ‘yung sakit mo kaya wala kang kasalanan.”

Rinig ko ang malalim na pagbuntong hininga nito. “It was before Christmas break when I experience having a headache trouble. I thought it was fine. I thought it was normal. I informed my parents about my condition and when I had a check up, the doctor saw nothing at me, na wala naman daw problema. That made me feel relieved somehow,” pagkukwento nito.

“But it kept going. I kept experiencing having a headache, na kulang na lang ay mababasag ‘yung ulo.” Aldridge took my hand at katulad ng madalas niyang gawin ay nilalaro niya ‘yung daliri ko. “After months of suffering from headache, I didn’t realize that my tumor would come back,” he added.

“I apologize for not telling you about this, love. Alam kong mag-aalala ka at ayokong dagdagan pa ‘yung mga problemang iniisip mo—”

“You are not, Aldridge. Kung iniisip mong magiging dagdag ka sa problema ko, it is not. I am not just someone you knew. I am your girlfriend. At kahit pa hindi bumalik ‘yung sakit mo, mag-aalala at mag-aalala ako sa’yo kaya huwag mong iisiping dagdag ka sa problema ko, okay?” Hinaplos ko ang ulo nito saka ko siya niyakap.

“I was not with you during your first battle but you were able to overcome this. Now that I am with you, labanan mo ulit ito, ha? You’re not alone this time. Let’s fight this sickness together, love,” I encouraged him, still caressing his head. In between our hugs, I felt him nod his head and that made me smile somehow.

Nagkukuwentuhan kami ni Aldridge patungkol sa kung anu-anong bagay nang dumating ang parents niya. Since it’s minutes before the clock strikes at 12, inihanda nila ‘yung mga kakainin ni Aldridge. Katunayan ay doon na rin ako nananghalian kasama nila. Nagkataong half day lang kami every Friday kaya dito ako dumiretso kanina.

In God’s grace, Aldridge was discharged two days after visiting him that Friday. Naging normal naman ito lalo na ang mga kilos niya. His doctor prescribed him some meds and may schedule din ang check up nito.

Like what he told me, Aldridge was able to attend his first day in school. Katunayan nga ay lagi pa kaming naghahanap ng time para magkita or to take our lunch together since he’s studying at UST while sa UP naman ako. Minsan din ay kasama namin si Shane.

About Shane, bihira na kaming magkasama ng babaeng ‘yon. I mean, hindi na kami sabay kumain katulad ng dati. Someone’s already courting her and it’s a law student here in UP kaya iyon ‘yong madalas niyang nakakasama.

May time din noon na isinama ako ni Shane and there, I was able to meet her suitor, it’s Louie Jie. Being with them for quite awhile, I can say that Louie Jie is a good guy. I can see his good motive to Shane that’s why boto ako sa kanya para kay Shane.

“College is really different from high school. Hindi ko alam na ganito pala sa college. I’m already expecting this but it was more than what I expected it to be,” pahayag ni Aldridge nang makaupo kami sa stool.

Lunch time na ngayon. I was supposed to go with Shane and Louie but Aldridge texted me and we just decided to meet here in Dimsum Treat. Ewan ko ba, trip kong kumain ng siomai ngayon, e.

Based from what he said, Aldridge and I have the same perspectives about being a college student. To be honest, I experienced a culture shock when I started college but it’s a good thing that I am slowly adjusting right now.

Sa college, hindi kasi pwedeng papetiks-petiks ka na lang. If possible, you need to give your best dahil ikaw at ikaw lang ang makakatulong sa sarili mo.

It’s not like in high school na pwede ka lang magrely sa mga kaibigan mo o sa mga kaklase mo. In college, it hits different. Ang sarili mo lang ang kakampi mo, ang sarili mo lang ang makakatulong sa’yo.

Consideration in college does not work at all times. Kapag deadline, then it’s a deadline. Magpasalamat ka pa kung mayroon kayong mabait na prof but if it happens that you have a strict prof, then it’s really a good luck to you.

“Is your headache still coming back?” I asked in the middle of taking our lunch.

Aldridge shook his head. “I guess I’m doing better this time,” sagot nito. Napangiti naman ako, umaasang sana nga ay magtuluy-tuloy iyon.

After taking our lunch, we decided to hang out in the mall. First time kasing nagkataong wala kaming pasok ngayong hapon. Kina Aldridge ay talagang wala silang pasok. Sa amin naman ay nagkataon lang na wala ‘yung prof namin kaya ‘yon.

We bought some stuff. Damit ‘yung binili ni Aldridge, sa akin naman ay isang jumpsuit. When we entered National Bookstore, I saw the Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy book so I immediately called Shane, informing her if she wants me to buy the same book for her. Since she said yes, dalawang book na ‘yung kinuha ko.

After that, umuwi naman na kami ni Aldridge. In fact, I invited him inside our house. Pagkarating sa bahay, as usual, wala na naman doon ang parents ko. Busy sa trabaho.

I know my parents hated Aldridge for me, pero nagagawa pa rin nitong dumalaw rito sa bahay. Minsan ay kinakausap naman siya ng parents ko but they’re not fond with Aldridge. I actually admired him for being this brave. Kahit na cold ‘yung trato ng parents ko sa kanya, dinadalaw pa rin ako nito sa bahay para ipakita sa parents ko na maganda ‘yung intension niya sa akin.

“Dalhin ko lang ‘to sa kwarto,” paalam ko sa kanya noong dalhin ni Ate Adel ‘yung miryenda niya.

Leaving Aldridge alone, I walked upstairs. Nagkataon namang pababa na si Ate Trixie noon.

“What’s that?” with brows arched, she asked that, referring to the books I’m holding.

“It’s an Anatomy book, ate,” I replied. Before passing me, I saw her rolled her eyes. Dahil sanay naman na ako sa ugaling iyon ni Ate Trixie, hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin.

Since she already graduated, ang pinagkakaabalahan na lang nito ay iyong review niya for BAR exam which will happen this coming November.

As I got inside my room, I quickly changed my clothes. Pagkatapos no’n ay bumaba ulit ako at sinamahan si Aldridge sa baba. Katulad ng madalas naming gawin ay tumambay lang kami sa may pool area at nagkekwentuhan ng kung anu-ano. Nakisali pa nga si Ate Adel sa amin, e.

When she left, I decided to review Aldridge in his subject. Bukas daw kasi ay may quiz sila. I took his module and asked him questions. Luckily, nasasagot naman niya.

Sa dami ng tinanong ko ay nasa lima lang siguro ‘yung mali niya. Iyong iba naman ay hindi exact sa tamang sagot pero related pa rin naman, kaya ‘yon, ipinapaliwanag ko sa kanya ang tamang sagot based doon sa naka-indicate sa module. Around four in the afternoon noong naisipan nitong umuwi.

Days quickly passed by until it reached one month. I kept asking Aldridge about his condition. May check up pa rin kasi siya at may mga gamot na ibinibigay sa kanya.

He told me he’s okay and unlike the previous experiences he had, bihira na raw sumakit ‘yung ulo niya and I felt relieved knowing that he’s okay.

But thinking that everything is alright, it happens the other way around.

It was Wednesday afternoon when I got a call from Tita Amelia and she told me that they rushed Aldridge in the hospital again. I had a class that time, it’s just that we are waiting for our professor to arrive. Twenty minutes had already passed and because she’s not still here, that’s when I decided to go in the hospital, nervous and hoping for a good result.

When I arrived at St. Luke’s, I saw Aldridge’s parents outside the intensive care unit. Ang nagpadagdag sa kaba ko ay nang makita kong umiiyak si Tita Amelia.

“What happened po?” kinakabahan kong tanong. Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko na kulang na lang ay lumabas ito sa katawan ko.

“He had an epileptic seizure again,” it’s Tito Rafael who answered my question because Tita Amelia was sobbing at the side.

When the doctor came out, katulad ng dati ay si Tita Amelia ulit ang sumalubong sa doctor. After removing his face mask, the doctor then faced us.

“After running some tests to the patient, our prognosis says that he has a glioblastoma multiforme or GBM which is considered a grade IV tumor. It is known as metastatic cancer, the most advanced stage. There is no cure for glioblastoma, however, we could recommend him to undergo awake craniotomies, surgeries and even chemotherapy.” Hearing what the oncologist said, Tito Rafael immediately caught Tita Amelia after losing her balance.

Tita shook her head, after which, it was followed by her soft cries, not wanting to accept what she just heard.

“Glioblastoma multiforme is a devastating brain cancer that spreads quickly in other parts of the brain. And I want to inform you beforehand that patients with this kind of tumor have a median survival of 15 months,” the oncologist added and that’s enough for our worlds to fell apart.

Towered by my weakest form after hearing that prognosis, my feet were only rooted on the floor, then my tears roll freely from my cheeks. Hindi ko rin namalayan ang pagbagsak ng kamay ko and my body started shivering as the truth slowly sinks into my mind.

Does that mean... Aldridge has now only 15 months to live?