Chapter 3: Face

The next weeks have always been just like the other ones. Pumupunta ako sa ospital to check on Wilson. After three weeks, The bleeding has finally lessened.

Maybe after a month, Wilson can now undergo the surgical clipping. Yun ang sasabihin ko sa pamilya niya ngayong araw.

"Good Morning, Doktora." Isang tawag ang natanggap ko.

"Hugo, Why are you early?"

"You said you have news so I came in early. Nasaan ka ngayon?" Tanong niya sa akin.

"I'm at the clinic, Hugo."

"Maaga kang pumasok?" May pagtataka sa boses niya.

"Dito ko natulog. I was too sleepy last night. Hindi ako makapag-maneho."

"You could've called me. Hinatid sana kita para hindi ka na nahirapan."

"Sus..." Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

"Anyway, I'm at the hospital so I'll go to your clinic."

Dahil nga nalaman ko na darating siya ay inayos ko na muna ang sarili ko. Ang clinic ko ay nasa ika-walong palapag ng gusali ng ospital.

Nakatulog ako dito dahil pinili ko talaga na ang sofa na nasa clinic ko ay convertible to a bed. May unan at blanket naman naka-tabi.

I also have clothes and a bathroom inside my clinic so that I would be comfortable and also my patients. Simpleng white t-shirt at black trousers ang suot ko. Pinatungan ko ito ng gray na knit pullover.

"Coffee, Doctor?" Ani Hugo pagka-bukas ko ng pintuan.

"Thanks, Is that soy milk and sugarfree?"

"Also with extra foam, Baby."

"Thanks except for the baby." Tinalikuran ko siya at ininom ang kape.

I turned on the tv inside my clinic and watched the news. I was surprised with what I saw over the news. It was the photo of my father and it says they are bankrupt.

"Pa..." I whispered.

"What is it, Faye?"

"Shh... Layah? Where are you? Are you alright?" Tinawagan ko agad si Layah.

"I am alright, Ate. Pero si Mama, Hindi niya matanggap. She is so violent, Ate. Si Papa naman hindi ko na rin maintindihan."

"Don't hesitate to call me, Layah."

"Thank You, Ate."

Napuno ako ng pag-aalala nang makita ko ang balita na iyon. Paano na sila ngayon? Kamusta na kaya ang kumpanya ni Papa?

"Hey, Are you okay? You can say it to me." Kinuha ni Hugo ang atensyon ko.

"I-It's just I feel guilty. Siguro kung hindi ko sinuway ang utos nila Mama at Papa noon, hindi mangyayari ito sa kanila."

"Ginawa mo lang ang tama."

"What?" Naguluhan ako. How can he make that comment? Alam ba ni Hugo ang nangyari noon?

"W-What I meant was if you only did what's right then what's wrong with that?"

"It's almost ten, We have to see your brother."

"Let me carry your bag, please." Tsaka kinuha niya ang bag na naka-sukbit sa aking balikat.

Hugo is really doing this to me? He's being a gentleman now. Hindi ako sanay dahil ilang taon na ang nakalipas nung nag hiwalay kami ni Wilson.

"We have good news, Ma'am. The patient is reacting with the medications. The bleeding has completely stopped. And with further tests and observation, We can proceed to the operation."

"Faye, Anong klaseng operasyon ang gagawin sa anak namin?"

"What we'll do is surgical clipping. The operation will isolate the aneurysm from normal circulation. Then a small clip made of titanium will be placed across the base of the aneurysm so that we could block the normal blood flow from entering."

"Magkano naman ang babayaran namin para dito, Faye?" Si Tita Cora ang nagtanong.

"We need twenty thousand dollars for the operation and more for the medications and therapy."

"Mike, We need the money." Sabi ni Tita Faye.

"I-Is your professional fee part of the twenty thousand?"

"No, Ma'am. But I am willing to waive my fees. Plus, If you have insurance it will lessen the cost."

"Please save my son, Faye."

"We will, Ma'am. I will inform our chief neurosurgeon about this. Excuse me."

Iniwan ko na sila sa loob ng kwarto pati na rin si Hugo na kinakausap ngayon ang kanyang magulang.

Propesor ko ang chief neurosurgeon sa ospital. Isa rin ako sa mga valedictorian noong grumaduate ako noong kolehiyo.

"We'll have the surgery in three days, Doctor." Sabi sa akin ni Doctor Neagan.

"Thank You, Doctor."

Naisipan ko na umuwi muna sa bahay at nang makapag-pahinga ako. Kailangan ko din aralin ang gagawin naming operasyon kay Wilson.

"Faye! Wait up!" Nilingon ko si Hugo na tumatakbo patungo sa akin.

"Hugo, You need anything?"

"I-I just wanted to tell you that I will pay for your professional fee."

"Hugo, Hindi na kailangan. It's my decision to help."

"Why are you so kind to my family?" He held my hands.

"I was close to your brother and your family means a lot to me." Bumitaw ako sa kanya.

"Don't thank me now, Hugo. Tatawagan kita sakaling kailanganin ko ang tulong mo." I smiled and started the engine of my car.

Masaya akong makakapag-pahinga na ako. Nakakatawang isipin na ang laki ng bahay ko at ang lawak ng kama na hinihigaan ko eh wala naman akong kasama.

Sampung taon na akong nag-iisa pero bakit nakakaramdam pa rin ako ng lungkot sa sistema ko?

Patulog na sana ako nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone. Isang tawag mula kay Layah.

"Ate, Nagtatampo na ako sayo."

"Layah, Kakauwi ko lang galing sa ospital."

"You didn't congratulate me, Ate."

"Oh my God... I-I'm sorry, Layah. Congratulations on your graduation."

"Thanks, Ate. But I won't accept that sorry if you won't come to my party. Don't worry, Wala sila Mama at Papa doon. They left me here in Manila. Nasa Morocco sila."

"Thanks for the invite, Layah."

"You have plus one, Ate. Tell me you're coming please?"

"I'll go and text you, okay?"

After the operation siguro ay pupunta nalang ako ng Pilipinas. Matagal ko ng gusto makita si Layah. I think oras na para balikan ang tinalikuran.

I have to face my family.