Pieces of Me

Eleven

"Everything's going to be alright. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, RJ."

"I wasn't talking about the surgery, Meng. Tumingin ka sakin. Meng. Tingin. Kahit anong mangyari, whether you come out of there unable to walk or doing cartwheels, everything will be alright. Alam mo kung bakit?"

"Because on the inside, I'm still me."

"Exactly."

"Pero paano? If I'm unable to walk, I'll lose my independence. Lagi na lang akong aasa sa inyo. Sa iyo. To get around, to do what I want to do.. to---"

"Tot mo. I will help you, we all will pero we won't do for you what we, what I know you can do for yourself. You won't be a burden, Meng. Pero you won't be spoiled either. The Meng I know, the girl I fell in love with, she can do anything."

"Sino ba yang Meng na yan? Pakilala mo nga ako."

"Siraulo."

"RJ?"

"Yes?"

"Do you regret falling in love with me?"

"Nope. In fact sobrang grateful ako that I decided to take you on as a patient. I normally don't kasi. Children are easier to work with when it comes to physical therapy. Madaling gawing challenging at interesting ang exercise routines nila. With adults, mas mahirap. Mas matigas ang ulo. Exhibit A. Female, mid to late 20s, slight to medium build, legs for days, mesmerizing eyes, tantalizing lips, perky br- ARAY!"

"Ang harot mo forever."

"There's the smile I love. Kaya mo to Meng. You're the strongest person I know. If anyone can come out of this surgery like a champ, ikaw yun."

"You'll still love me kahit di na ko makalakad?"

"I love you and will love you, period. No conditions. No requirements. Walang because of or despite of. I just love you."

Hoy Frodo, hindi damuhan yang tinatapakan mo, buhok ko na yan. San si Gandalf? Lumayas na naman? Inggiterong froglet forevs kasi.

"Meng."

"Sorry... still a little worried."

"It's okay. I'll be in there with you the whole time."

"Pumayag si Doc?"

"Yep."

"Eh bakit ganyan ka makangiti? Malapit na namang mahigop ng dimple mo ang buong ospital."

"Ano to black hole? Grabe ka sakin, Meng. Masamang ngumiti?"

"Hindi kasi ordinaryong ngiti yan eh. Bakit parang kilig na kilig ka? Oh my god, may crush ka sa isang O.R. nurse no?"

"Baliw. Naiisip ko lang na parang practice tong pagsama ko sayo ngayon sa loob ng O.R."

"Practice for what?"

"For when you give birth to our first child."

Psssst. Doctor Who. Peram Tardis. Maghahanap lang ako ng ibang dimension na pwedeng pagsaksakan ng herr ko.

"You're so smug."

"And you're so mine."

"Grabe kayong dalawa. Wala talaga kayong pinalampas na oras. Harot kung harot everywhere, all the time."

"Buti naman at pinayagan ka ni Haring Neptune magkatawang tao para makabisita sakin, Cols. Diba endangered species na ang mga butanding? Baka madapa ka, resbakan ako ng mga syokoy."