Telepathic Violinist

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8
[...IS ALSO KNOWN TO HIM]

September 23, 2016
Hospital
8:39 AM

[Philip]

"Lolo, of all hospitals; bakit dito ka pa nagpacheck-up?" I asked after closing the door behind me

Naabutan ko si Lolo na nakaupo sa isang upuan sa tapat ng desk ng isang doctor na may kabataan pa ang itsura at may sinusulat sa papel. My grandfather looked at me with a smile. Who would have thought that he's already 64 years old and yet he still looks like he just turned fifty? Oh I forgot, his treacherous vegetable and fish diet for over thirty years must have caused it. Idagdag pa ang weekly hobby niyang pag-ka-Karate sa dojo ng business partner niyang Japanese sa isang private property..

Seated on the chair opposite to my grandfather's, was Kuya Ramonsito the butler, who was waving at me and flashing a toothy smile.

"Young Mast-"

"Kuya Ramon, it's Philip." I quickly cut Kuya Ramonsito and he laughed while scratching the back of his head.

"Sorry. Ang hirap kasi 'pag nasanay na." he commented as I put both my bags on the bench and sat at the edge.

"Bakit kayo nandito sa city na 'to?" I asked even if I already knew why they were here and it was Kuya Ramonsito who answered for me since the doctor was discussing something with my grandfather.

"Ah, ibibigay na niya kasi ang ATM card mo. And since gusto niya magpacheck-up, isinabay niya na lang sa-"

"ATM card? What? Diba ang sabi ko ayokong mag-ATM kasi-"

"Ayaw na kasi ng lolo mo na abot na lang ng abot sa'yo ng pera. Ay ewan ko ba, kausapin mo na lang mamaya. May kausap pa siya oh."

I only huffed and crossed my arms. I hate ATMs. Maybe because it's more practical for me to store money in my apartment. At isa pa, ayoko kasi na may gano'n kalaki akong pera na biniibigay sa'kin. Una, para saan ko gagamitin? I only live for myself and my dog in my apartment. What's the use of an ATM card and a bank account? Eh ni hindi pa nga ako nagtatrabaho. Daig ko pa ang mga empleyado. And in the first place, I'm using money that I didn't even earn from a job of my own.

These are just few of the matters I keep only to myself. Even Apollo doesn't know my status in life. Ang akala niya fully synchronized ako sa kanya; which isn't true for me. If I really were synchronized with him fully, he would have known about my grandfather already and who he is. That's why I always maintain that only 60 percent of my mind is synchronized with him.

These past few days, I had to maintain only 30 percent synchronization and close my mind shut every time Apollo is near. Hangga't di ko pa nalalaman kung sino ang may balak sa'kin pumatay, walang pwedeng maka-alam na lumipat ako ng apartment. Even to those I trust, must not know about it.

"Sige po Mr. Araña, I'll contact you for the results." I heard the doctor said lastly as he stood up and shook hands with my grandfather. Turning to me, Lolo spoke.

"O apo, sa labas na lang tayo mag-usap. Nakakahiya naman kay doc." wika ni Lolo habang kumakaway siya ng paalam sa doktor at binuksan na ni Kuya Ramonsito ang pinto.

Grandfather's voice sounds like my dad's voice. Dahil sa pagkadinig ko ng boses ni Lolo ay napatulala ako sa kawalan at huli na nang mamalayan kong lalabas na pala silang dalawa. I quickly got both my bags and went out with them. As soon as Kuya Ramonsito closed the door of the doctor's office, we then occupied the seats which were at the hallway, attached to the wall beside the door. I sighed while putting my bags beside me.