A Flower for Alice

19

DARIO

Another two days had passed, still, I am staying in the hospital but I am not that sad because Alice is awake now.

"Maayos na ang katawan mo Mr. Santiago, the cast in your arm is now gone. Kailangan mo na lang mas alagaan ang sarili mo.You can be discharge tomorrow." nakangiting sagot ng doktor.

Melissa squeal. "So, magkakaroon Mommy ng welcome party?"

Tumingin sa akin si Mommy na inilingan ko lang. "I can't do that, your Ate Alice is still in the ICU. Kung mangyayari man iyan, I will make sure your Ate is okay first."

"Your Kuya's right. Siguraduhin muna natin na maayos na ang lagay ni Alice." singit ni Daddy.

The doctor excuse himself, kaya nagplano na kami ng gagawin bukas.

"Kuya, you need to freshen up first. No offense, alam kong the nurses here are always making sure that you are clean. You can't just stay here after being discharge. Alam kong ganun din ang sasabihin ni Ate Alice. I am just suggesting na ayusin mo muna ang sarili mo at bisitahin mo ang kompanya mo kahit isang araw lang." mahabang suhestiyon ni Melissa na sinang-ayunan ni Daddy at Mommy.

I planned what I will do starting tomorrow habang unti-unti ng pinapakuha ni Mommy ang ilang gamit dito para maiuwi sa bahay. Bumisita si Mama sa kuwarto ko para mangamusta.

"Maayos na ba ang lagay mo?" agad na tanong ni Mama.

Ngumiti ako. "I'm good na po. How about Alice? Any improvement?"

"She is responding now, thank God for that. Maayos na siya pero kailangan pa ring obserbahan sabi ng doktor kaya mananatili pa rin siya sa Intensive Care Unit. Pero, huwag ka ng mangamba, lalakas din siya." she assured me.

Our talk continue hanggang sa kinuha muna siya ni Mommy dahil may sasabihin daw ito kay Mama. Everything is settled. From the bills to other important thing for me, to go home.

I am all healed up now, I can visit Alice.

"Dad, pwede ko bang bisitahin si Alice ngayon? I want to see her so bad." pakiusap ko.

Tiningnan lang ako ni Daddy sa likod ng kaniyang salamin.

"Can't you wait for tomorrow?" seryoso niyang tanong.

Umiling agad ako. "Dad, I can't visit her tomorrow. I will be very busy because I will visit my company."

Tumikhim siya. "Since you say, your company, palagi ko iyong pinabibisita kay Roman, maayos naman daw ang takbo ng kompanya at naaalagaan ito ng sekretarya mo."

"But I need to be updated, remember that I slept for almost three weeks." paliwanag ko.

Tumango na lang siya. "Whatever you say. Just be assisted by a nurse."

That made me smile. Finally, I am able to see her.

Melissa instantly call a nurse. The nurse accompanied me to the ICU. Before going in, I wear the protective clothes needed.

When the door opens, I saw Alice lying there. With many tubes attached to her body for her to survive, madami ring aparato na nakapalibot sa kamang hinihigaan niya. She looked pale and helpless, that worried me more.

Pinaalalahanan ako ng nurse. "You can't stay for long, Mr. Santiago. Tatawagin ko na lang kayo kapag kailangan niyo ng lumabas."

I just nod without leaving my sight to Alice. I walk towards her and hold her hand right away.

"Hey, my love, your handsome guy is here." bungad ko. I stare at her intently. Even though she is here, she is always a beauty.

I play with her fingers. "I am fine now, that's why I am visiting you. Pasensiya na kung nasaktan kita. I am really sorry, my love. Because of my stupidity, you are here. But don't worry, I will make sure na magiging maayos ka, na gagaling ka. Pupunta tayo sa mga lugar na gusto mo puntahan.

Still no response.

"My love, you are like Sleeping Beauty here. Should I kiss you for you to wake up? I am your true love, right?" tanong ko kahit wala naman akong sagot na makukuha.

I just sigh. "I know you are in your peaceful slumber for now, but I am talking to you like a madman. Guess what? I am really is insane right now, but I need to be tough for us. So, just fight, okay?"

"Mr. Santiago, hinahanap po kayo ni Mrs. Santiago." singit ng nurse na nakaabang sa may pintuan.

"I will be there." tangi kong saad.

I look at my beautiful girl again. "Be fine, okay? Baka mabisita ulit kita sa isang araw dahil may aasikasuhin ako bukas, pero babantayan ka naman nila Mama. Always remember that I love you, everything about you." I kissed her forehead even though my lips are covered with a mask.

I froze when I feel that she squeeze my hand softly. I grin.

"I love you so much, Alice, my love. Gusto ko pa sana magtagal pero bawal. I am just here for you." sabi ko at hinalikan muli ang kaniyang noo at napag-pasiyahan ng umalis.

I throw all the protective equipment I'd wore and walk to my room while grinning.

Naabutan kong palabas ng kuwarto si Mama at Papa.

Tinapik ni Papa ang balikat ko. "Tama nga sila na maayos na ang lagay mo. Saan ka galing?"

"Binisita ko po si Alice, Pa." nakangiti kong sagot. Napansin yata ni Mama ang saya sa mukha ko.

"Gising ba si Alice nang bumisita ka?" tanong niya.

"Hindi po, pero pinisil niya po ang kamay ko. Like she understand what I say." sagot ko.

Tumango si Mama. "She is really recovering."

"Sige, pumasok ka na. Hinahanap ka na ng Mommy mo." sabi ni Papa.

Nagpatuloy na sila sa paglalakad patungo sa ICU.

Pagkapasok ko ay pagalit na sermon ni Mommy ang inabot ko.

"... you know that he should fully rest today because he will be discharge tomorrow, pero pinalabas mo naman."

Napatingin sila sa akin pagkapasok ko.

"Mommy, he just visited her. Hindi naman siya ang nag-aalaga." singit ni Melissa.

Mom looked at her. "Stay out of it, will you?"

Melissa shut her mouth because she knows Mom will not stop her sermon to her. I chuckle because of the scene.

"Ikaw naman Dario, alam mo namang kagagaling mo lang. Baka mabinat ka. Lalabas ka na bukas dapat nagpapahinga ka ngayon." sambit aa akin ni Mommy.

I just went to her and hug her. "I'm good now, Mom. I just visited my love. And I am happy now.

"Bakit? Gising na siya?" singit ni Daddy.

I shook my head. "She's not, but she understand my words, and I know there's a progress.

"This is great. Maikakasal na din kayo." sabad ni Melissa.

Tumango ako. "Yes, we will.