Juan, My Commander

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

"Miss?" Napakurap ako at agad ibinalik ang tingin sa harapan. Hindi ko namalayang sandali na pala akong napatulala mula ng makaalis si Siddharth kasama ang babae.

Sinundan ko nang tingin ang pinanggalingan ng boses. A middle-aged woman, garbed in a vintage nurse's uniform adorned with unique Nepali accents, graced me with a warm smile.

Her face, etched with lines of experience yet, it was her eyes that captivated me. It was deep and insightful, they mirrored a reservoir of wisdom and kindness, as if they could peer into one's soul.

"My apologies, I seem to have lost myself in thought for a moment." Paghihingi ko ng paumanhin. Ngumiti lamang ito sa akin.

"No need to worry, Miss. It's perfectly normal for everyone to get lost in their own thoughts," the nurse's voice carried a soothing tone, reminiscent of a melodic symphony that had witnessed the full spectrum of joy and sorrow.

"Oh, please, just call me Anita."

"Anita?" the middle-aged nurse smiled at me widely, "What a beautiful name it is paired with a beautiful face."

Napatitig ako sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam pero bigla na lang ako nakaramdam ng hiya.

As I laid eyes on the nurse, napansin ko agad na wala ni katiting na lahi mula sa isang Nepali ang kaniyang hitsura.

Even if she's wearing a Nepali nurse uniform, she is emanating a Western aura, with her features and overall appearance reflecting a distinct Western influence.

From her fair complexion to her facial structure, she bore a resemblance to individuals typically associated with Western cultures.

Tipid akong ngumiti sa kaniya.

"My name is Anastasia. I'm a nurse on Doctor Siddharth's unit." nakangiti niyang pagpapakilala sa kaniyang sarili, "How is your wound?" dagdag nito.

Hinawakan ko ang sugat sa aking dibdib bago sinagot ang kaniyang tanong.

"I think it's getting better? But it hurt sometimes though."

"How often do you still experience discomfort?" tumitig ako kay Anastasia na naghihintay ng sagot galing sa akin.

I shrugged.

"I've experienced discomfort from my wound at random intervals, possibly occurring twice within an hour."

Tumango siya sa akin.

"Let's go to the clinic and have your wound checked. Siddharth instructed me to dress it, as the last time he examined your chest was the day before you regained consciousness."

Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa clinic na sinasabi ni Anastasia, hindi ko mapigilang lamunin ng kuryosidad habang nakatingin sa mga batang aming nadadaanan.

Napansin ko kasi na puro mga bata lang ang aking nakikita habang naglalakad kami. Inilibot ko na rin ng ilang beses ang aking mga paningin sa paligid.

It seems like Siddharth, the woman accompanying him earlier, Anastasia, and I might be the only adults here.

"Some of them are orphans, and a majority of them are victims of the earthquake," Anastasia suddenly said, catching my attention.

"Doctor Siddharth didn't hesitate to bring those vulnerable children here, providing them protection from the dangers and risks they might face on the streets."

Hindi ko maalis ang tingin sa kaniya habang may ngiti ang mga labi nitong nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita.

"Nepal has experienced major earthquakes on multiple occasions, with records indicating significant seismic activity occurring at regular intervals. Due to these earthquakes, many children in the country have tragically lost their families at a young age. As a result, some have been left homeless, while others have become vulnerable targets for terrorist activities."