Heart of Darkness

Kabanata 22

"Go, ask me away." Hinaplos n'ya ang buhok ko. "Naaalala ko talaga palagi sa'yo si Scira."

"Oh, the youngest one?" I said.

"The third one," Tumawa si Tita at sumulyap sa asawa. "And my old self."

I saw Doc Thorn smiling there, just staring at us. Nahuli ko pang kumislap ang mata n'ya habang nakatitig sa asawa.

"Uhm, diba po, ilang buwan na rin akong nagte-therapy?" I said at nakita kong tumango si Tita at ngumiti.

"Yes and you're doing great! Thorn's been telling me how great you are. You are strong, Win." Masayang sabi n'ya.

"Thank you po," Maluwag akong ngumiti at sumulyap kay Doc bago ngumiti rin. He nodded at me, looking happy.

"And I think I am, nababawasan na rin po ang masamang panaginip ko. Actually, I am not having any bad dreams for the past weeks, medyo kaya ko na rin po ng madilim tho, not really that dark. Kahit medyo dim kaya ko na." I said proudly.

I saw Tita Zid smiling widely at me as she nod her head, hinawi n'ya ang buhok ko.

"You are doing great, Win. I know you can overcome your fear, you can surpass every challenges given to you because you're strong."

"And thank you so much po, Doc..." I stared briefly at my psychiatrist. "And Tita, you two are such a big help to me, I can freely confide my feelings and you helped me a lot."

"We really didn't do that much," Doc commented and smiled at me. "You made it yourself, you are starting to overcome your trauma because you are strong, remember what I told you? You can do it. You are stronger than you think, hija."

"Thank you po..." I smiled happily. "Tsaka sobrang thankful din ako sa'yo, Tita, kasi everytime na gusto kitang kausapin nandyan ka palagi. Okay lang din sa'yo na minsan iistorbohin ka namin ni Doc para sa session."

Natawa ang mag-asawa at nakita kong ngumisi si Tita.

"Ayos lang, ikaw pa ba?" She chuckled. "And syempre, pagkatapos ng therapy mo, may session din kami." Bungisngis n'ya.

Napakurap ako, nakita kong naubo si Doc sa gilid at tumayo habang tinatakpan ang bibig n'ya at humagikhik si Tita at sumulyap sa akin.

"Charot lang, Win." Tawa n'ya at sumulyap sa pantry kung saan nagtungo ang asawa. "Namumula na si tanda."

Natawa na rin ako sa kanya.

"You're such a bully, Tita." I commented and laughed. "Hindi naman matanda si Doc, gwapo pa nga rin."

"Diba?" Bumilog ang bibig n'ya. "Ang sarap-sarap pa palagi, nakakainis."

Natawa ako at nag-apir kaming dalawa nang lumabas si Doc sa pantry na nakanguso na at namumula nga ang tenga.

"Zid..." Doc warned and nakita kong ngumisi si Tita at nagpeace sign.

"Love you," Tita winked at him before looking at me.

"Let me guess, Win, is that a boy problem you got?"

"Yes po," Ngumuso ako.

"Should I leave you first, ladies?" Nakita kong lumapit si Doc.

"Uhm," I cleared my throat, hindi na sana papaalisin si Doc pero ikinumpas ni Tita ang kamay sa asawa.

"Yes, shoo away ka muna, hari ko. Mamaya na tayo magsession, girls talk 'to."

Tito blinked rapidly at his wife, akmang aalma nanaman sa lumalabas sa bibig ng asawa pero napasinghap nalang at humalik sa pisngi ni Tita Zid at ginulo ang buhok ko bago lumabas.