Something Phenomenal

Phenomenal: Four

Day 175 in the hospital

"Balita ko lalabas ka na, Gab."

I was in front of my laptop doing a short video montage nang banggitin ito ni Nurse Kenth.

"Lalabas?" nabiglang tanong ko.

"Inaayos na nila ang release paper mo."

Para akong nakarinig ng fireworks. "Oh my God?"

Tumango siya. "Oh my God talaga," sabi ng malambot niyang boses.

Nakangiti siya sa'kin. Alam kong isa ako sa mga pinaka-pasaway na pasyente dito and they would surely love for me to be released and for themselves to be released from my torture, but I know how genuinely happy my nurses are for me.

I was giddy the whole day. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na makausap si Mama. Kung totoo 'yon that means any day from now makakalabas na ako!

I was humming and singing along to random songs through out the day. Kahit ang pagkain na ayaw ko ay inubos ko. I even wore my newly bought pajamas.

Bandang hapon nang dumating si Mama. She went on her usual routine of checking anything that needs to be check.

"Talaga bang lalabas na ako?"

She was checking the bags attached to the IV that's nearly empty. "Inaayos ko na ang mga papel mo."

Hindi ko mapigilang bumungisngis.

"But you know the cycle. Kapag may naramdaman kang hindi tama, babalik ka dito. You're still in chemo."

The cycle, of course. It's where my whole world revolves. I'll go home, feel okay. But the moment I get infection or my blood counts fluctuate or my body just fails to function on certain days, I'd be back in here before I could even say freedom.

But still. Finally after five months lalabas na ako.

Mom told me to prepare my things just in case. Because looking at all the random things I've brought with me, packing would definitely take a long time.

I called the help of Iñigo who went to visit me the next day. Naka-uniform pa siya at naka-ID, halatang kagagaling sa school. I was lounging on the bed, organizing my notebooks and pens in a clear plastic box.

"Wala kang dalang pagkain?"

Binaba niya ang backpack sa sofa. "Mukha kang pagkain."

Kung hindi lang talaga nakakabit 'tong kamay ko sa IV, binugbog ko na'to. Napakasungit kaya hindi nagkaka-girlfriend. Nagsimula siya sa pag-aayos ng mga librong nagkalat sa kwarto at nilagay sa dala niyang kahon.

"Iuuwi mo na ba 'yan pagkatapos?"

Maayos na sinasalansan niya ang mga libro sa kahon para magkasya. He's such a neat freak.

"Oo, sasabay ako kay Mama."

See? Hindi niya ako tinatawag na ate kahit halos anim na taon ang tanda ko sa kanya.

Nag-scroll ako sa phone ko habang nakahiga sa kama at nakataas ang kamay. All these cleaning made me addicted to organizers and room decors. I might order several cute ones online.

"Kaya hindi ka nagkaka-boyfriend ang tamad mo kasi."

Napalingon ako sa kapatid kong naglilinis ng kwarto. Aba, aba!

"Si Kuya Shane lang nakakatiis sa'yo."

Then he made a face that only younger brothers could do, an expression equivalent to sticking his tongue and crumpling his face. Noong tumalikod siya, binato ko siya ng unan sa ulo at nasobsob siya sa kahon na inaayos.

I nearly choke on air, laughing. One point for me!

After an afternoon of annoying banter, umuwi na si Iñigo kasama si Mama. Nang-aasar pa siya noong umalis. But I know my brother well enough that whenever he's being extra annoying, it means he's really happy.

I'm really going home.

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