War of Hearts

Kabanata 29

Fresh Start

I finished unpacking my luggage after I arrived at my Apartment.

"Ana!" Someone called from the kitchen.

"Yes?" I peek from my room to look at her while she's busy washing the dishes.

"Puwedeng ikaw na lang ang magluto ng dinner natin? Alam ko namang pagod ka pero kailangan kong pakainin si Mason."

"Oo naman. Saglit lang." Inayos ko nang mabilisan ang aking mga damit at hindi na isinalansang nang maayos. Gutom na rin ako.

Kakagaling lang naming ni Althaia sa Doctor dahil nagkasakit si Mason.

It's been 2 years since I lived from my dorm. Masikip kasi doon at mataas pa ang renta kaya naghanap ako ng apartment na malapit lang sa school.

Kaso, walang murang apartment na malapit lang. I badly wanted to stay in this apartment but it's already full. Ang sabi'y kung may umalis, e'di naka-reserve na ako, but I couldn't wait any longer. Ayokong masayang ang mga oras ko na dapat nag-aaral ako kaysa sa paghahanap nang malilipatan.

Maybe it's a miracle that I happened to stumble upon, Althaia, the patient whom I've interacted to way back 2nd year. I remember how young she was at conceiving Mason, her son.

Anyway, I was disappointed upon talking to the landlord the day I was finding a place to say, and Althaia was so kind to share with me her unit! Malaki raw kasi ang mga bayarin kaya naghati kami. I don't have any problems living with her. Kilala ko naman s'ya dahil kami ang nagpa-anak sa kanya, though Papa told me to be cautious. Alam ko naman iyon, but they're too kind!

Mason is so cute I couldn't resist staring at him. May kamukha talaga s'ya ngunit hindi ko talaga mawari kung sino.

Nalaman ko na Nursing student pala si Althaia tulad ko. Dahil nabuntis s'ya, hindi niya natapos ang huling taon niya sa pag-aaral. Ayaw ni Thaia'ng ma-stress sa mga aralin at buntis s'ya. I completely understand. Fourth year of Nursing is hard since it's mostly clinical.

I watch Thaia as she feed Mason. He's almost three years old. I witnessed his first walk, his first word, and his first time to sing! I am amazed!

May isang beses na binantayan ko siya. I was studying that time; Mason took a glimpse of what I was reviewing. Ang sabi ko, mahihilo siya sa liit at komplikado ng mga words but I was astounded when he uttered the word, "Osteomalacia."

I teased Althaia that he would be a great doctor one day.

"Wala akong pera." She commented.

Willing akong ipag-aral si Mason kung gusto niya man mag doctor. I am sure by the time Mason enters college, I already have a stable income.

Na-distract ako sa pagtitig sa kanila nang tumunog ang oven toaster udyat na tapos na ang pagpapainit ko ng ulam. Yes, we're reheating our food. Si Thaia lang naman at Mason ang naandito kahapon kaya silang dalawa lang ang kumain at sobra ang lutong ulam.

I went home this weekend to spend some quality time with Papa. Dahil abala si Keith sa clinic kung saan s'ya nagtatrabaho at nagpa-practice ng Dentistry, ako ang umuwi. I was surprised that Keith came home.

Si Ate Gladys kasi nasa Australia na. Pinadala kasi s'ya ng kompanya kung saan s'ya nagtatrabaho kaya sobrang luwag na niya sa buhay. Sagot kasi ng company ang pamumuhay niya roon. Tatrabaho na lang s'ya. Palagi ko s'yang inaasar na padalhan kami lalo na kay Baby Mason.

I introduced Thaia and Mason to my family kaya labis din ang tuwa nila sa bata.

Nilapag ko ang ulam at nagsimula na kami ni Thaia kumain habang binabantayan naming si Mason.