Dating My Ex

Ex. 13

Same.

"I cannot say that it is effective. You know, the eyes remembers. So maybe it helps. Kaya lang, hindi simpleng amnesia ang pinagdaraanan ni Gabby. She was sick with encephalitis. That means, her brain was burned, and her memories? It may not be there at all, who knows?" Paliwanag ni Dr. Robles sa amin.

In-eksamin niya ang aking mga mata gamit ang maliit na flashlight at inutusang sundan ng tingin ang kanyang mga daliri.

"But Gabby was emotionally drained. Not only when she woke up but since the day she's battling with the disease." Patuloy nito.

"And that was?" Tanong ni Mikel.

"Seven years ago. We don't know how hard it could get. Frequent headaches, moodswings, depression. Kahit ako mismong doktor ay natatakot na mangyari yon sa aking sarili. It was close to untreatable."

Nag-tiim bagang si Mikel. I smiled at him and reached for his hands. He looked at me with pity and warmth as he massaged my hands softly, an unconscious gesture that he always do.

'Ikaw na ba si Mr. Right? Ikaw na ba love of my life, ikaw na ba ang icing sa ibabaw ng cupcake ko?..'

Di ko mapigilan ang pagkanta sa ginagawa ni Mikel. Tuwing malapit siya, palagay ko talaga meron kaming background music at nag-i-slowmo ang paligid.

"Gabby.." In a warning tone, Mikel said. Napangiti si Dr. Robles.

"Mapag-biro talaga ang pasyente kong ito. Hindi na ako nag-taka na nalagpasan niya ang sakit niya."

Mayabang akong ngumiti kay Mikel na nag-aalala pa din.

"Ang galing ko di ba? Nalagpasan ko ang lahat ng iyon."

"That's right! She's fine now. And maybe, yes, maybe she really needs more friends around her. Friends comes in handy. Cheapest cure should be an escape from stress."

--

Tahimik si Mikel habang naglalakad kami sa pasilyo ng ospital. The scent of the chlorine, alcohol and air sanitizer was a solid reminder that this was my home for so long. Nakapamulsa si Mikel at tila malalim na nag-i-isip. His thick brows are in straight line, his lips mimics it. Pinag-titinginan siya ng mga nurse sa paraan na unang beses kong nakita si April Boy nang malapitan. I almost fainted, Besh!

"Uy, ikaw naman, hindi mo naman kailangan mapilitang kaibiganin ako." Untag ko kay Mikel para pagaanin ang tensyon na hindi ko alam kung saan galing. He looked at me still with serious gaze.

"S-sa opisina ba, sino ang mga kaibigan mo?" Alanganin niyang tanong but of course, I don't mind the question. I flipped my hair and adjust my baby pink midi dress on the waist.

"Si Kristel, si Yuri, si Jax, si Greg. Yung mga naroon rin lang sa floor natin."

"And they are your friends because?"

"Ano bang klaseng tanong yan?" Natatawang pakli ko but then I stopped walking and looked at the ceiling to think, "Isipin mo na ang Dela Vega Empire ay isang batibot."

"And?"

"We are in a community where we are expected to get along for the audience. At ikaw si Kuya Bodjie! Ang pinakamatanda."

"Not funny." He cocked his brows and I laughed at him.

"They are easy to get along with. Mabubuti silang tao, Mikel."

"And you like them as friends?"

"Yeah, I think so." Ngumuso ako at nag-isip. Bakit kaya niya tinatanong? Mayabang akong ngumiti, "Isa pa, they are upper class citizens. Ganon ang mga gusto kong kaibigan. Mga sosyal, very outgoing. Class. You know, friends of the same feathers!"