If I have Nothing (Absinthe Series 5)

Kabanata 38

Kabanata 38

If I Have Nothing

Suminghap ako nang makaahon sa tubig. The chilly waters embraced my body as I resurfaced, gasping for air. Beads of the pool water trickled down my face. Inangat ko ang aking kamay at pinasadahan ng palad ang aking basang buhok.

I always spend my morning for a swim. It helps me relax and forget about everything. Tuwing umaga, binabagabag ako ng panaginip kaya agad akong nagigising na tila hinahabol ng kamatayan. A morning swim was a good way to calm my raging nerves.

I swam forward to the gutter of the pool. Humawak ako sa barandilya upang makaahon. My swimsuit clad body was exposed to the chilly morning air of California. Inilang hakbang ko ang layo ng sun lounger upang makuha ko ang aking tuwalya. I sat on it as I pat myself dry.

"Good morning, Syden!" it was my classmate, Aira who just came out of the door from our dormitory.

"Good morning!" bati ko pabalik. She sat on the other sun lounger and sighed softly.

"I can't wait to graduate next week!" aniya. Tumaas naman ang sulok ng aking labi. In my mind, I thought the same.

Four years in Stanford Medical School helped me get distracted from everything. Halos walong taon na nga ang nakalipas simula nang maaksidente ako pagkatapos ng concert ng Absinthe.

Sumandal ako sa sun lounger at tumingala sa langit. Unlike any other days, the sky was a bit gloomy today indicating that it might rain. Pumikit ako at kinalimutang kasama ko pa pala si Aira.

Every morning was always a torture for me because I always wake up with a nightmare. Siguro'y sa ilang taong mabubuhay pa ako ay dadalhin at dadalhin ko ang memoryang iyon sa akin.

My eyes slowly fluttered open. At first, I was seeing a blurry light. May iilang boses din akong naririnig pero mas natuon ang aking atensyon sa malabong ilaw. I blinked slowly again and this time, the image of a rectangular fluorescent light welcomed my vision. Dahan-dahang gumalaw ang aking mga mata. I felt numb all over my body that I couldn't feel anything at all. Kahit ang pagkurap ay parang hindi ko rin maramdaman. All I know is that I was awake.

"It's been three days, Lyco. Bakit hindi pa rin nagigising ang anak natin?" I heard my mother's voice. It was weak and pleading. Hinanap ko kung saan nanggaling ang kaniyang boses at dumapo iyon sa kalapit na sofa ng aking kinahihigaan.

I tried to recall what happened. Ibinaba ko ang tingin at nakita ang puting pader na katapat ng aking kinahihigaan. I looked up and saw the white ceiling. The sound of the beeping machine echoed in my ears.

Kumunot ang aking noo. Hospital? Why would I be in a hospital?

Ibinuka ko ang aking bibig. At first, it was just pure air. I tried to force myself to speak but I managed to make a sound.

Natigil si Mommy sa pagsasalita. "Did you hear that, Lyco?"

I felt movements. Mabigat ang nga hakbang at nakita ko na ang imahe ng aking ina. Half of her body hovered over me and I saw how her tears are welling up in her eyes.

"M-mommy," I croaked. Sumakit ang aking lalamunan.

"Oh my god, anak!" she gasped and sobbed. Sumunod ay nakita ko ang paglapit ni Daddy sa amin. He mirrored my mother's reaction. Eyes widening, still in shock, he managed to move and pressed a button just above the bed that I was on.

Hinawakan ni Mommy ang aking braso. It felt warms against my skin.  Medyo nanginginig iyon sa aking balat.

"W-what happened?" I am still in daze.

"You were hit by a car, anak. Iniimbestigahan pa ang nangyari."

Mommy was about to utter another word when the door of the room suddenly opened. A uniformed doctor entered inside together with a nurse following behind.