Good Riddance (DS #2)

Chapter 55

Chapter 55:

Good Father

Year 2018.

HINDI na alam ni Blair kung ano nang gagawin ngayon. Now that Ninong Aalto turned his back and probably wouldn't return for good, all was left to look out for Bridgette was her.

Ilang beses na siyang natutukso na kunin ang telepono at tawagan si Tita Bella. She wanted to call her and tell her to come back here in Greece, but in the first place, it was never Tita Bella's responsibility to take care of Bridgette.

Blair suddenly found herself stuck with the person she hated the most. Suddenly, she's in the hospital talking to doctors about Bridgette's health and mental condition. Pagka-alis ni Ninong Aalto ay nawalan ng malay ang kanyang ina habang umiiyak nang umiiyak.

"She's currently stable and needs a lot of rest from stress. As we are saying, it's better if she'll continue her chemotherapies to extinguish the remaining active cancer cells in her body. Your mother needs additional expert advice for her Alzheimer's disease, too. And we recommend our partner hospital in New York as doctors and facilities in there will be able to tend more to your mother's needs."

Tumatango lang si Blair sa lahat ng payo ng doktor. Buti at marunong itong mag-Ingles dahil kanina ay nalilito siya sa mga kumakausap sa kanyang nurses. All were speaking in Greek, and she wasn't able to respond properly because she cannot understand a damn thing.

"I will request to transfer your mother in New York as soon as possible for her treatments. I was also notified that your mother's trusted doctors were also there. It's best if she'd be treated in the US. If you don't have any place to stay, the organization offers room rents in cheaper prices."

"We have a place to stay in New York. But is the transfer should be this immediate? I think my mother prefers living here in Greece..."

"She can go back once she's well enough. Today, our priority is her health and mental condition that seeks more professional attention. We believe your mother would understand that as well."

Well, hindi kilala ng mga ito si Bridgette. Blair prepared herself. Makikipagsagupaan na naman siya sa katigasan ng ulo ng nanay niya.

"I don't want to leave! I'll stay here in Athens. Hindi ko gustong magpagamot! Hayaan niyo na lang akong mamatay!" nagsisigaw si Bridgette pagkatapos niyang ipaalam dito ang payo ng doktor.

Naikot niya ang mga mata at napahalukipkip. Sinasabi niya na nga't ganito ang magiging reaksyon nito.

"Iniwan na 'ko ni Aalto. Iwan mo na lang din ako! Leave me in my house and if I die, I die!"

Sana kung ganoon lang kadali. Sana kung kaya ni Blair na pabayaan lang ito katulad dati. Damn it! Living with Jack for many years made her this soft, again.

"Babalik ka rito sa Greece oras na gumaling ka na. Sa ngayon, kailangan mo nang magpagamot sa New York dahil mas advance ang mga facilities doon. Nandoon din ang mga doktor mong mas kabisado ang dapat gawin sa 'yo."

"No!" matigas pa rin nitong pagtanggi. "I refused to get treated, Christeena Blair. I want to die. Ayoko nang maging pabigat pa sa 'yo. Umuwi ka na lang sa asawa mo at ako nang bahala sa sarili ko."

Nakipaglaban siya ng titig sa ina. "Pagkatapos mong umamin, magsisi, at humingi ng tawad sa lahat ng nangyari noon, ito na ang plano mo? Ang mamatay na lang?"

"Shouldn't that be, hija? Ano pang rason para ipagpatuloy ang buhay? I'm an old sick woman with my dark secrets out, Blair. Totoong nagsisisi ako sa lahat. I apologized for everything because I should have done that long ago. But why should I keep going? Should I keep fighting for a life that I'm already tired of living alone?" Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata nitong halata ngang pagod na pagod na sa buhay na 'to.