A Rocket to the Moon

"No one wish to be born sick. Everyone lives with freedom and happiness. But for a girl like me, who was born in the world with limitations and despair, everything is still possible, even reaching the moon to breathe."

-Brave Jinn N. Velez

Warning: This story revolves around sickness and experiences. This is not suitable for everyone.

You can also read the side story of this, Memories of Aziel. Happy reading!

This is a work of fiction..

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"Hi? Saan ang kwarto mo?"

I rolled my eyes as I saw him at my back, wearing a hospital gown and his smile that fits to his face.

Pitong taong gulang pa lamang ako nang magkakilala na kami ni Aziel sa isang private hospital na pag-aari namin. We're both confined in a private room and we're just neighborhood.

I didn't enjoyed my childhood days. Naging bahay ko na ang hospital kung saan sanay na ang mga tao na makita ako.

My father died when I was 16. I have an older brother and his name is Brine. I preferred calling him by his name rather than kuya. Yes, I maybe sounds rude but it makes me comfortable when I'm with him. We have 2 year gap and he's the only one taking care of me since I was little. Our mother left and choose her new family than us.

"Oy diba ikaw 'yong sa hospital?"

Napapikit ako ng mariin nang mapunta sa akin ang atensyon ng iba. It's a bad news to be with him in the same school. Mapapahiya ako sa ginagawa niya.

"Magaling ka na?" tanong niya uli.

I glared at him, packed my things and left him. I don't like this kind of environment. I prefer to be alone.

"Ako nga pala si Aziel. Ikaw anong pangalan mo?"

Dalawang linggo na akong ginugulo ng lalaking ito at dalawang linggo na rin akong hindi natatapos sa pagkain. I let out a weighty sighed and fix my things to leave him again.

"Gusto ko lang naman sana makipagkaibigan sa'yo.."

Nabitawan ko ang baunan ko kaya natapon ang mga natirang ulam at kanin. Napapikit nalang ako nang marinig ang mga tawanan ng paligid.

I'd been from different private schools because of bullying. And maybe I need to find another school again because of him.

Lumapit siya sa harap ko at pinulot unti-unti ang mga natapon, pagkatapos ay ibinigay sa akin. Wala na akong nasabi at iniwan siya uli.

Takot ako sa maraming tao at madali akong hikain. Pinanganak ako na may sakit sa puso, kaya minsan excuse ako sa P.E namin at kung ano pang activities. Some of my classmates are teasing me because of this. And I have nothing to do but to accept that my heart is weak.

Aziel punched one of our classmates when he saw me crying. Umiiyak habang inaagaw ang sapatos ko na tinapon ng mga kaklase ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko nang makitang pinagsusuntok niya ito. And we're both called in the principal's office.

Palagi niya akong kinukulit simula nong mangyari 'yon. Sabay na rin kaming kumain sa cafeteria kahit hindi ko naman siya kinakausap. I know he's a good person but I don't want to hurt myself again. Like I'm used to someone's presence and leave after all, like my mother did to us.

We both graduated. We became friends but not that close. Aziel became my buddy. Minsan sinasamahan niya akong manuod ng buwan sa gabi. Aziel loves to watch the stars. Minsan ay binibisita niya ako sa hospital kapag naconfine na naman ako. We both watched the moon and stars at night in the rooftop.

We also planned to be with the same school in college. Until we talk about our relationship that turns into best friends.

"Congratulations, Aziel.."

"Congratulations, Brave.."

I start avoided him when I felt bad for myself. Walang araw na hindi ako nakakaramdam ng paninikip ng dibdib. Sometimes, I'm afraid that I might lose myself in the middle of walking. I don't want to catch other's attention, that's what I hate the most.

"Sinabi ko na diba sa'yo na h'wag kang magpapagod?!"

Minsan lang ako mapagalitan ni Aziel pero solid palagi. I'm always a pain in the ass to him. I know he cares too much.

"Let's have a mission to accomplish!"

Nagdadalawang-isip pa siya sa sinabi ko pero wala nang nagawa. He's asking me why am I avoiding him but I refuse to answer. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko ba ito nakuha. Pero ang alam ko lang, hindi ko hawak ang susunod na araw. I want to fufill one mission whenever I leave.

"What is your mission?" I asked Aziel.

Hindi nawala ang mga titig niya sa akin hanggang sa magsalita ito.

"Magpatayo ng isang program para sa mga batang hindi makapag-aral. Ikaw?"

I don't know if it is a good idea but I want to try. Alam kong malabo pero gusto kong subukan. I want to try new adventure for myself. A life without fear and hindrance.

A small smile form in my face before I answered him.

"I want to live freely.. and forget that I am sick."