Aquarius (PUBLISHED UNDER IMMAC PPH)

Chapter 1: Preparation

"Thank you for that beautiful answer of yours, Ms. Hutton. You're right about Aquagenic Urticaria or Water Allergy to make it more convenient to you. But you're wrong about what you said that it's impossible for us to have it because it's possible, my dear. Aquagenic Urticaria exists and is possible for us to have it. It is a rare allergy in the world. Extremely rare that only about thirty to forty people worldwide has ever been diagnosed with the condition, yet for those who have it, the symptoms can be life-altering." Naglakad siya papunta sa pinakagitna. "Sino ba naman kasi ang mag-aakala na may ganyang klaseng sakit sa mundo? Allergic sa tubig? It really is impossible to believe, but I don't give you such lesson without the facts."

My jaw dropped. I feel so amazed, but at the same time, I feel so confused. My curiosity about the topic is rising and I can't help but to think critically. I want to know more. I want to know what Ma'am knows.

Magtataas na sana ako ng kamay nang maunahan na ako ng isa kong kaklase. Marami pa ang ibang nagtaas pero isa lang ang tinawag ni ma'am sa amin. I looked at Haden na siyang tinawag ni ma'am at nakinig sa magiging tanong niya.

"Ma'am, ngayon ko lang po iyan narinig at posible po pala iyon? Paano po iyon ma'am?"

Right. Isa rin iyan sa mga tanong na tumatakbo sa isipan ko ngayon, so thanks Haden. You just hit the jackpot. I mean, how in the earth can a person have that allergy? What's the origin and history of it? How can a person survive in such an allergy? Paano siya nakukuha? Paano siya magagamot?

"Yes, Mr. Powell. It's true and as what I've said earlier, it's possible. One of its causes is when a dissolved material in water reaches our skin and activates an immune response. A contact between water and a substance found in or on the skin creates a toxic material that causes the hives to grow. The hives associated are typically small, with clearly defined edges of about one to three millimetres, red or skin-colored welts, called wheals. This occurs most frequently on the back, upper trank and arms, although it may occur anywhere in the body especially when you have a sensitive type of skin."

Napanganga ako at napatango-tango dahil sa sinabi ni ma'am. Ang linaw na naman ng pagkaka-explain niya and with gestures pa 'yon. She really is a professional.

So, meaning, nag-eexist nga talaga siya. Totoo siya. Amazing but it's too dangerous. Mas lalo lang tuloy naging komplikado ang lahat ng mga nasa isip ko ngayon. Unti-unting nadadagdagan ang bawat katanungan sa utak ko at masyado na akong nalilito. Sumasakit na rin ang ulo ko. Too much information but I can handle it.

"Ma'am!"

Kasabay ng pagtaas ng kamay ni Crystal ay siya ring pagtunog ng bell hudyat na tapos na ang klase. Sari-saring reaksiyon at emosyon ang maririnig sa buong room dahil sa pagkabitin at isa na ako roon. Kainis naman! Gusto ko pa magtanong, eh! Hindi pa rin sa akin masyadong malinaw ang lahat at... ayoko pa ring maniwala. I want a strong fact that I could grasp.

Napanguso na lamang ako at pumangalumbaba. Anong feeling kapag mayroon kang Water Allergy? Paano ka makakainom ng tubig? Paano ka gagalaw na hindi involve ang tubig? Eh, sa loob palang ng katawan natin may tubig na. Kasali pa rin ba iyon? Hindi naman yata kasi kung oo, kung sino man ang meron nito ay sigurado akong hindi na siya magtatagal pa. I mean, alam niyo na iyon. Water in a person's body who is allergic to water? You've got to be kidding me. How's that even possible? I don't want to sound rude but I just want to be honest, okay? Anong mangyayari kapag umiyak ka? Kapag pinagpawisan ka? Kapag naligo ka sa ulan? Like seriously? Mabubuhay ka pa ba niyan ng matagal? I mean, kaya mo bang mabuhay sa ganoong sitwasyon? This is so frustrating! Si ma'am naman kasi, eh! Nag-iwan pa ng sakit sa ulo. Akala mo naman jowa. Kidding aside!

"Okay. Class dismissed." Nagsimula si ma'am mag-ayos ng mga gamit niya na nasa desk. "Next meeting ko na lang ulit kayo tatanungin tungkol doon. At iyong mga katanungan ninyo, sasagutan natin lahat ng iyan. I'll try my best to give you the right and clear details even though my knowledge about it is limited. So, bye for now class. Umuwi agad. Huwag nang lumandi." Tumawa si ma'am ganoon din ang mga kaklase ko kaya nakisabay na rin ako. Si ma'am talaga. Ang babata pa namin para riyan. Actually, ako lang pala. Ang iba kasi sa mga kaklase ko may mga boyfriend at girlfriend na, eh. Well, it's normal and I'm not against it naman. Huwag lang natin kalimutan ang mga limitasyon natin dahil ang babata pa natin.