The Plan (The Series #1)

Chapter 15

Donuts

Deep breaths. That is all I've been doing since I was brought into the hospital at midnight. Syringes, needles, and other medical apparatuses were all I saw.

"Mr. and Mrs. Acosta, your daughter has primary complex tuberculosis."

That's all I heard, then shut my eyes to go to sleep.

Umagang-umaga, nagawa kong lumabas ng aking private room. Pinapayagan naman ako ng aking nurse para gumala-gala sa mga hallway ng hospital. Mom went home para magdala pa ng iba kong mga damit. Si daddy naman, naiwan doon sa aking private room habang nanunuod ng TV. Dad's on duty to guard me again.

Bago pa ako makalayo sa aking private room, nakita naman ako ng aking nurse at mayroong binilin, "Blanche, don't forget you have shots at 9am. Kaya 'wag ka masyadong lumayo-layo mamaya."

I just nodded, at dali-daling tumakbo habang hinihila-hila ang aking dextrose stand. Nu'ng una, grabe ang iyak ko nang itusok ang needle sa aking kamay. Bigla naman akong natatakot tuwing nahihila ang tube na naka-attach sa akin dahil lumalabas ang dugo mula rito.

Dahil nga sa 'di ko namalayan ang oras, nagpakalayo sa aking private room. Hanggang sa napadpad ako sa isang room na 'di gaanong napupuntahan ng tao.

Napasilip ako kung anong ganap sa silid na iyon...

"Baby Naiser, what do you like to eat?" I almost laughed when I heard how the nurse approached that boy. Baby Naiser? That's too cute for a boy like him.

But when I saw his face, no expression. Parang lutang lang siya. Walang pakialam sa mundo.

Then I also saw a drop of tear from his eye. So he's crying? Pero habang siya'y umiiyak, kita kong may hawak-hawak siyang litrato. I didn't care what's in it, because all I know, my nurse is already calling me right now.

"Blanche! It's time to take your shots! Saan ka ba nanggaling? Diba sabi ko sa 'yo, walang lalayo."

'Di na ako umimik. At ilang minuto lang ang lumipas, they already started to do some needlework. Hindi ko pa rin maiwasan ang pag-iyak hanggang sa bigyan ako ni daddy ng encouragement.

"Anak! You can do it! Be brave. For a 5 year old like you, alam kong makakaya mong tiisin ang sakit," as what dad said, from there on, I became brave on handling needles that they will insert on me.

Halos isang linggo na ako rito sa hospital. Dahil nga sa walang maggawa, libot nanaman ako. Then I saw that boy again. 'Yung batang tinawag na baby Naiser. Hanggang ngayon, natatawa pa rin ako tuwing inaalala ko 'yon.

He was sitting aside on the hallways. Agad ko naman siyang linapitan. He's crying again?!

"Oy, ikaw. Pansin kong lagi ka nalang umiiyak. Problema mo?" bungad ko sa kanya.

He looked at me like he was shocked. Pero 'di pa rin siya umiimik! Hmp! Nakakainis. Anong bang problema niya?

"Ba't 'di ka nagsasalita? Nagmumukha ka tuloy na pipi," pang-asar ko sa kanya. Then I suddenly remembered on how the nurse called him. "Oh! Your name was Baby Naiser, right?!"

I laughed and laughed until my laughter echoed at the hallways. I saw how he blushed on what I reacted. Agad naman akong tumigil, at nakiupo na rin sa tabi niya.

"I'm Blanche Wendy Acosta. Nice meeting you, Baby Naiser." I reached out my hand to him para naman makipag-kamayan. I smiled widely when he accepted my hand. Halata sa kanya na nanginginig siya.