Carpe Diem

Seven

7.

"She wants to meet you today but I said you're going to the hospital so, maybe next time."

Tito informed me that Tita Helga wants to come here today to thank me of what I did for them.

Her pretty face is still on my mind. I've seen pictures of her on facebook but she's prettier in person.

Nangitian ko si Tito habang kumakain ako ng cereal. Naghahanda na si Yaya sa taas habang ako, nauna nang magbihis para itong breakfast na lang ang kulang.

"So, will I hear wedding bells very soon?"

He's putting his watch on his wrist after sipping coffee. He's about to go to his office when I stopped him and have him ate first.

He's so busy lately he chose not to eat breakfast just to get there early and start his paper works.

"The idea's been in my head God knows how long. I just don't know when."

"What do you mean you don't know when? You can start now! I'm sure she will be happy about it."

He looked at me seriously. "I'm sure we're not in hurry, Cheyenne. There are still a lot of things that I need to do and consider. At least now, we're engaged. And she's so elated the whole evening. I don't know if she even slept." And he burst in laughter after saying it.

"Grabe! Siguro naman natulog siya Tito... But I'm so happy, finally you two were engage. Ang sarap niyong pagmasdan kagabi."

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "So nanood pala kayo ni Yaya the whole time?"

"Slight lang naman..." At muli kaming nagtawanan.

"... May photographer pala akong hinire para sa pagpo-propose mo kagabi. Ala paparazzi nga lang ang dating para hindi kayo maistorbo. But I'm sure; Tita Helga will love those shots!"

Natatawang naiiling si Tito. "I have this feeling that you two will really get along. Helga might love you more than she loves me because of your crazy ideas."

"Don't worry, I'll love her back."

"I know... Make sure that you're always healthy, Cheyenne. We still have a lot of things to do together. And now that she's here, I'm sure she will love to join us. We'll create brand new happy memories."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Tito. I'm grateful for having someone like him. Siguro kung ibang tao lang 'to o kung ibang kapamilya na walang pakialam, siguradong matagal nang napagod sa akin si Tito at inabandona na ako. Pero hindi. Lahi na yata nila ang mababait kaya naman kung ano'ng ugali ni Mommy ay nakuha rin niya.

Ngayon, may mas isuswerte pa ba ako sa pagkakaroon pa lang ng mapagmahal at responsableng Tito?

Siguro ay wala na.

~~~

"Narinig mo ang sinabi ni Doc? Wala munang outdoor activities ng isang linggo."

Paalala sa akin ni Yaya habang pauwi na kami. Maaga kaming umalis kanina papuntang ospital. Mga 9, bumyahe na kami. At natapos kami ng 5 pm sa dami ng tests na ginawa sa akin bukod sa check ups. Dumaan na din ako sa physiotherapist ko para sa ilang sessions. Nakakatulong iyon para sa paglabas ng plema mula sa katawan ko.

"1 week is too long." Masama man ang loob ko ay wala akong magawa. Mahigpit akong pinagbawalan ni Doctor Carpio na huwag munang maglalabas ng bahay at gumawa ng mga activities na maaaring ikapagod ko.

Mas marami na naman kasing mucus ang nakita hindi lang sa lungs, kundi pati na rin sa pancreas ko. This is bad news. So I need to obey her orders, or else, I'll be dead. Literally.