SAUDADE: Loving Eye of Catastrophe (BS8)

Kabanata 7

 Kabanata 7: Day one

The instructions given to us was clear as the sunlight. First, we need undergo RT-PCR test, just to ensure our situation about the infection. Then while waiting for the result, we need to find a qaurantine place to stay for two weeks and be observed.

Dr. Casperzylle is busy talking with his friends outside the car. We are in an open space near a corn field, so he is allowed to go outside. Though, the Officers are watching him from distance.

"Me," Mahinang saad ko nang sagutin ko ang tawag ng pinsan ko.

"Where are you, saan ko banda ipapaland 'yung aircraft. Mayroon bang—"

"Me," I said to stop her. Hindi ko mapigilang mapahikab habang nagsasalita. "Hindi kami i-rerelease ng province hangga't hindi kami dumadaan sa 14-day quarantine. 'yung doctor na kasama ko kasi galing ibang bansa. So, they are suggesting to us na mag undergo sa quarantine."

"God! Dapat hindi ka na pala pumunta jan." Nag-aalalang saad niya sa'kin. "Nasa high risk 'yung health mo jan, Kyl. Given the statement that your co-doctor might be infected already... Tita must be worried."

Napabuntong hininga ako bago ako tumingin sa labas. Madilim ang kalangitan, ang tanging nagbibigay na lamang ng liwanag dito ay mga ilaw sa poste. Sinandal ko ang ulo ko sa upuan, kasabay ng pagpikit.

"Don't inform my parents," I said. "I'll be fine here. 'yung kasama ko naman ay hindi nagpapakita ng kahit anong sintomas ng Coranavirus."

"Kyl..." Inis na saad ng pinsan ko sa kabilang linya. "Maraming grupo ng terorista jan sa Mindanao... baka mapa'no ka jan?"

"I will call Risimei just to make sure 'bout the place." I spoke. "Pero mukhang kalmado naman ang lahat dito. It just fourteen days, I will keep you inform every day huh. Magiging okay lang ako. Nothing to worry..."

The silence filled the car after our conversation. Nakatulala lamang ako habang nakatingin sa madilim na kalangitan. My parents will be worried if they knew I am quarantine in Mindanao. There is big possibility that my parents will use connection just for me to be out of that place. And I don't want that thing to happened.

This is a President's order. At may mga pinagbatayan na rason kung bakit ito pinapatupad. Para din naman ito sa kaligtasan ng nakakarami kaya kailangan naming sumunod. Kung sakali man na mag positibo ang resulta namin ni Dr. Casperzylle, wala kaming magagawa kung hindi harapin ang kakalabasan n'yun.

Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa cellphone ko bago mag type ng message. I send messages frst to my family members telling I am fine. Hindi lamang ako makakauwi kaagad dahil may kailangan pa akong gawin. That thing isn't lie after all. May kailangan naman talaga akong gawin bago makauwi.

Then I sent a message to my friend.

To Risimei:

Mei, I'll sent you, my location. Nasa Mindanao ako ngayon, can you make sure that I am in a safe zone? Something happened that made me stay here for weeks...