My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 42

"Yaya, gusto kong puntahan sina mommy," I begged. But yaya just shook her head.

"Kristin, nasa malayong lugar pa sina mommy mo. Pumasok ka nalang sa room mo at mag-aral. Ipaghahanda kita ng paborito mong pagkain, ha?"

Umiling ako, "I heard from Tito Frank that they were in a hospital."

Natigilan si yaya. I looked into her eyes but she avoided my gaze. "Naku, Kristin. Sige na pumunta ka na sa kwarto mo."

After that she went into the kitchen. Instead of listening to her I went outside and to our garage.

"Mr. Driver!" tawag ko sa matandang lalaki na pinupunason ang hood ng kotse.

Huminto siya sa ginagawa at lumigon sakin, "Ah, Miss Kristin. Anong maipaglilingkod ko?"

Lumapit ako sa kanya at inilabas ang isang maliit na piraso ng papel. An address was written on it, "Dalhin mo ko dito."

He stared at me before averting his gaze on the paper. "Ospital?" Tumayo siya at pinunas ang kamay sa face towel na nasa balikat niya. "Pero, miss Kristin, hindi kita pwedeng dalhin dun. Hindi ba't sinabi sayo ng yaya mo na bawal ang bata dun?"

"You can't scare me with those anymore. I'm a big girl now." Muli kong itinaas ang papel, "Please Mister. Bring me to the Hospital. I wanna see mommy and daddy please. Please. Please."

Napakamot nalang siya ng ulo, "E matatanggihan pa ba kita? Sige na, sumakay ka na at itatabi ko lang itong mga panlinis."

"Thank you, mister. I'll give you my favorite chocolate after this, okay?" I smiled before getting inside the car.

Halos mag-iisang oras ang itinagal ng biyahe namin papunta sa hospital na nakasulat sa papel. It was traffic. And I hate it. I wanna see mommy already. When we arrive at the hospital, hindi ko na hinintay si Mr. Driver at dumiretso na sa reception desk malapit sa entrance. The front desk was high. I tiptoed for me to get a better view on the reception desk.

"Excuse me, Mr. Nurse. Can I a moment please."

Inalis ng lalaking nurse ang tingin niya sa mga papel at ibinaling ito sakin. I saw the surprised look on his face the moment he laid his eyes on me. I know I'm pretty. I get that a lot.

He tried to hide the amusement on his face, "Hello. What can I do for you, little ma'am?"

"Do you know where's Mr. and mrs. Lopega?"

"Lopega? Wait. You look like him." His amusement turned into a frown. "Are you Sir Kevin Lopega's little sister?"

I nodded. My brother is here? My brother will be a future doctor, that must be the reason why he's here! I'm excited to see him!

"He's at room 306."

"Thank you, Mr. Nurse!"

"Miss Kristin, naku! Akala ko nawala ka na," Mr. Driver said while catching his breath.

"You're so slow. Come on. I know where my kuya and mommy is."

Pinuntahan namin ang room na sinabi nung nurse. I'm gonna see kuya again! I have so many stories to tell him. I'll tell him all my achievements in the past months. I'm sure he'll be proud of me. And I'll tell him about a few friends I have made and how I fought those bullies. Oh, and the time I visited an art store on my way home. I'll tell him that I wanna try painting. There were a lot of cool art materials in that art store. Ah! I'll bring him there someday. I'm sure he'll get along with the nice old lady in the store.