Kabanata 37: Fate Lets Us Reunite Again
"To all passengers of Canada Airlines flight 122, thank you for entrusting us your flight experience."
I wasn't able to explain how I felt the moment I stepped foot in Alveolar City Airport. Para bang naghalo halo na ang nararamdaman kong saya, kaba at excitement about being in my country again.
Pagkatapos kong maayos ang Resignation ko sa ospital, wala ng nangyaring despidida party para sa pag-alis ko kahit na paulit-ulit na nagi-insist sina Lolo at Auntie. I didn't waste my time and took the earliest flight to the Philippines.
Its been so long since I came back so I felt like a stranger while feeling the heat of the sun, looking at the new buildings, and every little things that our car happens to pass by in Alveolar City. Napakarami ng nagbago at hindi na pamilyar sa akin kaya hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako.
Si Mama ang sumundo sa akin from the airport and she arrived so early that she had to wait for more than an hour. She said that she don't want to be late because of her excitement. Naramdaman ko naman yung nang i-welcome niya na ako with tightest hug that she could give.
When Mama started driving, hindi ko mapigilang maalala si Sunshine. Kumusta na kaya siya? Si King, Happy, Queenie, Bryle at sina Japhet, at John nalang ang nakakavideo call ko but I never dared to ask them news about Sunshine.
Ano kayang natapos niya? Saan na siya nagtatrabaho ngayon? May boyfriend na ba siya? Fiancé? What if she's getting married already? Or baka may anak na siya?
I bit my lip before letting my elbow rest on the car's window. Dapat ba nagtanong muna ako bago ako umuwi? I might regret my decision about giving up my job and high salary in Canada just to be at the rock bottom again.
"You look bothered, Hanson. Do you want to ask me anything that concerns you?"
Tumingin ako kay Mama using the mirror and she smiled immediately when she caught my eyes. Napabuntong hininga ako at nagdalawang isip kung sasabihin ko ba sa kanya ang mga tanong na tumatakbo sa isip ko.
"Kumusta na po siya Mama?"
Mama flashed out a melancholic smile. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganun ang ngiti niya. But it gave me enough idea about what's going on.
"She's doing really well with her career as a DJ, Hanson. She took up BACom in college and graduated as cum laude at Alveolar University. She became a lot stronger than before and claimed those success by her own." I blinked a few times when I saw Mama's tears starting to flow from her eyes.
"Did something happen Mama?"
"A lot of things happened, Hanson." Mama wiped her tears before letting out a heavy sigh.
"Pagkatapos mamatay ni Enzo at pagkatapos mong umalis, Sunshine completely changed. She was totally wrecked and depressed but I was not there to help her during those hard times dahil nagalit siya sa akin. Tinataboy niya ako kapag nakikita niya ako, sinisigawan, at sinasabihan ng masasakit na salita. She blamed me for his father's death at kahit na yung pag-alis mo'y sinisi niya din sa akin."
My grip on the bag that I'm holding tightened. Mama never mentioned anything about this while I'm in Canada. Napansin kong iba yung kilos niya pero inunahan din ako ng takot para magtanong.
"I'm sorry Mama. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay Hanson. Ayos lang naman na itaboy ako ni Sunshine ng ilang ulit. Natanggap ko yun because she's been away from me for the past years."
Mama wiped her tears before inhaling deeply again. I offered Mom to change seats with me para makapagkwento siya ng maayos.
"Sunshine shut me out completely nang magsimula na siyang pumasok sa college. Siya ang gumastos sa sarili niyang pangangailangan while doing part time jobs and didn't dare to call me out for any help. But I still didn't gave up my responsibilities of being her mother and gave financial help through her friends secretly."
Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko habang nakikinig sa kwento ni Mama. I never thought that these kind of things happened to Sunshine while I'm away.
Slowly, there was a part of me that was starting to crumble because of regrets.
Regret for causing her to be trapped in misery.
Regret for not being their to help her when she's in need.
Ultimately, regret for leaving her behind during her biggest downfall.
Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang isipain na: "Paano kung nag-stay ako sa tabi niya?" Ibang-iba kaya ang naging epekto nito sa dapat na kasalukuyan naming dalawa at naming lahat?
"Marami pang bagay ang nangyari sa kanya na hindi ko pwedeng maikwento sayo, Hanson." I saw Mama smiled in the rearview mirror.
"I'm not in the position to narrate those things at mas gusto kong marinig mo ang mga bagay na yun mula kay Sunshine mismo. Hopefully, kapag handa na siyang maging open sayo, at magkaayos na kayo."
I slowly nodded before putting my attention back to the road.
Aaminin ko na naging duwag ako noon. But this time, I'm more than willing to help Sunshine open her doors again. Even if she won't let me in, tanggapin niya lang sana si Mama ulit ay magiging okay na ang lahat para sa akin.
I was brought back to reality when I saw that we are approaching the gate to our village. Flashback of moments from my younger days came rushing into my mind as I look into the familiar streets and houses.
Hindi pa nawala ang nostalgic feeling when I set foot in our house. Ipinarenovate ni Mama ang bahay namin 5 years ago pero parang ramdam ko pa rin ang dating aura ng bahay.
The all new theme of our house played with the colors of blue, black, and grey. The old style that was filled with white and gold colors are no longer to be found in any parts of the house.
I smiled in delight roaming my eyes around the house. Blue looks really pleasing in the eyes since it's my favorite color. I've never imagined that these will all be changed and turned into a place na talagang mamahalin at babalik balikan ko.
"This house will be all yours starting today, Hanson. Kaya naman inayon ko sa gusto mong kulay ang mga walls at gamit." I turned to Mama who still maintained the smile on her lips.
"Ako nalang mag-isa ang titira dito, Mama?"
"Yes Hanson. I'm sorry kung hindi kita nasabihan pero sa bahay ni Enzo na ako nagsimulang tumuloy, 10 years ago." Mama tapped my shoulder before caressing my cheek. "I hope you'll understand. Hindi na din naman ako gaanong nakakauwi ng bahay dahil sa trabaho."
.
"It's okay Mama. I understand."
I was a bit sad pero hindi ko pinahalata sa mukha ko. Nasanay na kasi akong palaging may kasama sa bahay lalo na nung nasa Canada ako. But I guess I have to accept and adapt to this new set up again.
"Pero palagi pa rin kitang bibisitahin dito kapag makakauwi ako mula sa trabaho."
"You don't have to worry about me, Mama. I'm already grown up so I already know how to handle myself." I chuckled that made her smile again.
"Oo nga naman. Kayang-kaya mo na to anak! Atsaka para malaya ka na ring makakapagdala ng girlfriend mo dito." My eyes widened before I felt my cheeks heating up.
"Mama..."
"Ano? Dadalhin mo lang naman dito eh! Wala naman akong sinabing iba!" Mama laughed out loud while still teasing me.
Hindi natapos ang pagtawa niya hanggang sa makarating kami sa kusina. 2 new maids prepared foods for us and when I was about to sit on the chair to eat, lumabas naman sa isang pintuan ang mga taong hindi ko inaasahang pupunta para makita ako.
"WELCOME BACK HANSON!"
Queenie, King, Bryle, John, Japhet and Happy shouted in chorus while carrying a cake.
I felt happy and smiled. Hindi pala lahat ng kaibigan ko ay naisakripisyo ko dahil sa kaduwagan ko 10 years ago. I still have these people who are willing to let me be a part of their lives and stories.
"Thank you everyone! I really appreciate your presence and effort for this surprise today." Humakbang ako palapit sa kanila, hinipan ang kandila sa cake at isa-isa silang niyakap.
All of my friends said different words to welcome me but it only gave one idea: "Wag ka na sanang umalis ulit." I smiled while nodding and giving them assurance with the decision that I've made before I fly back here.
I felt happy when everyone shouted like the old times before Japhet insisted to do a group hug. It would be a lot nicer if our circle of friends was able to gather completely. But anyways, this is still one kind of a blessing for me.
Inaya na ni Mama kami na kumain kaya naman kanya-kanya na kaming upo sa mga upuan. While eating, I noticed that my friends from ACHS seem to get along well with Queenie and King kaya naman dumagdag ang tuwa ko.
Ilang taon din naman pala nilang naging drinking buddies ang isa't-isa kaya hindi na ako magtataka.
We talked about each one's lives for an hour and a half before I bid them my goodbyes. Busy na rin sila sa kani-kanila nilang mga trabaho kaya kailangan na nilang umalis agad.
But the day was still not over for me nang dumating naman ang dalawang bagong bisita. It was an lady and a teenage guy who are smiling widely while getting closer to me.
"Poli? Is that you?"
My lips parted when Poli's head slowly nodded while he took rapids steps closer to me. My heart was too happy to see him again at dahil sa sobrang tuwa ko ay nayakap ko siya ng mahigpit na mahigpit.
Kami ni Poli ang nagkamustahan habang si Tita at si Mama naman ang nasa kabilang banda na nag-uusap. They also got closer after years at natutuwa ako dahil naging sandalan sila ng isa't-isa.
Marami kaming pinag-usapan na mga bagay ni Poli. Nagkwento siya tungkol sa eskwelahan niya habang ako naman ay kinwento ang trabaho ko sa Canada. Hindi siya masyadong nagkwento tungkol sa buhay high school niya because he keeps on telling me to go back to my storytelling.
He looked so happy and amazed everytime he hears the story about the patients that I've cured in the hospital. Ilang beses niya din akong pinalakpakan at pinuri which made my heart flutter because of joy.
"Ang galing niyo naman po Kuya! Parang gusto ko na tuloy maging psychologist tulad niyo." Tinapik ko ang balikat ni Poli habang nakangiti.
"Kung yan pa rin ang sasabihin mo bago ka mag-college, bakit hindi?" Inabot ko ang ulo niya at ginulo ang buhok nito. "Basta mag-aral ka lang ng mabuti and aim for high grades para hindi ka mamroblema sa papasukan mong university."
Poli showed me a thumbs up while smiling.
"Opo Kuya. Gagawin ko po ang best ko para sa inyo!"
Mama offered Poli and Tita to spend the night in our house. Hindi pa kasi natatapos ang napakahabang kwentuhan namin ni Poli at nila naman ni Tita. And because they already expected this to happen ay nagdala na sila ng mga damit pang-overnight.
While I'm already lying on the bed with Poli, bigla niyang namention si Sunshine. He said that he never got the chance to talk to her again pero palagi niya itong naririnig sa radyo, nakikita sa t.v. at sa social media.
"You're lucky, nakikita at naririnig mo pa rin siya sa loob ng sampung taon." I smiled to Poli. "Dahil ako, I never tried to see her face nor dare to hear her voice again."
Poli was surprised. He's lips were slightly parted at talagang lumaki ang mga mata niya.
"Talaga po Kuya?! Paano niyo po natiis na hindi makita si Ate Sunshine? Atsaka bakit niyo naman ginawa yun?"
Ngumiti ako bago tumingin sa kisame ng kwarto ko. I tried to think of the most valid answer to Poli's question and only one word came into my mind.
"Dahil sa kaduwagan, Poli. Natiis kong hindi siya makita at hindi pakinggan ang boses niya dahil sa kaduwagan ko." I closed my eyes and tried to imagine Sunshine's face. "So don't look up to me and make me as your role model dahil duwag ako. Duwag ang Kuya mo."
"Pero hindi naman na po kayo duwag ngayon. Yung simpleng pag-uwi niyo sa Pilipinas ay sign na matatag na kayo kumpara noon."
Nilingon ko si Poli na umupo sa higaan mula sa pagkakahiga. He crossed his arms and his legs before saying the next words that he wanted to say.
"Kahit na yung pag-alis niyo papuntang Canada 10 years ago? Hindi ko rin po matatawag na kaduwagan yun Kuya. Ginawa niyo pong umalis at lahat ng mga bagay na iyon para mapabuti si Ate Sunshine."
My lips slowly curved into a smile. I never imagined that the little boy who only sells ice candy and turon before in our school will turn into an amazing person with both wisdom and talent to speak.
'Kaya naman dahil yun sa pagmamahal Kuya, hindi sa kaduwagan. Tumakbo ka dahil yun ang makakabuti sa minamahal mo. Hindi dahil sa kaduwagan at sa pansariling interes mo lang."
Poli's words repeatedly played into my mind for days. There was something into those words that gave me confidence and trust in myself if ever I'll part ways with Sunshine again.
Napagdesisyunan ko ng buong-buo na hindi ko susubukang umiwas kapag nagkita kami. I'll try my best to fix our ties and might as well revive our old friendship.
Kahit na yung friendship lang, magiging okay na nga siguro ako.
After a week of staying in the Philippines, nagsimula na akong maghanap ng trabaho sa mga malalaking ospital sa Alveolar City. Hindi naman grabe ang naging pagod ko sa paghahanap dahil yung mga pinuntahan kong ospital na ang nagpaunahang kumuha sa akin because of my work experience and all of my achievements written in my resume.
Sa huli ay napili kong pumasok sa Alveolar Doctor's Hospital na isa sa pinakamalaking private hospital sa siyudad. The director happened to be one of Dr. Wong's colleague na talagang inaantay din daw ang pag-aapply ko sa ospital nila.
"Dr. Wong told me a lot of great things about you, Dr. Miranda." I smiled as I shook hands with Dr. Perez. "I'm excited to see more of your milestones while working in this hospital."
"Thank you Dr. Perez."
"Pwede ka ng magsimula bukas. But before you go home, you can walk around the hospital and visit your department para maging pamilyar ka na sa magiging katrabaho mo bukas."
I liked the Director's idea that 's why I gave him a smile and nodded before I bid him a proper goodbye. But when I opened the door to leave his office, I was surprised to see more than 10 nurses na nakatayo sa harap ko.
"Hello?"
I smiled awkwardly when some of them walked away rapidly while some stayed and pretended like they were talking about their patients. Only one nurse stood on the same spot and extended his hand to me while smiling.
"Hello Dr. Miranda! Ako nga pala si Peniel, Pen nalang for short. Nurse Pen kung gusto mo ng medyo formal habang nasa workplace tayo." Naging natural na ang ngiti ko ng tanggapin ko ang kamay niya.
"Hello Nurse Pen. It's nice to meet you but how did you know my name?'
Nurse Pen's eyes sparkled before he reached for his phone on his pocket. He showed me a picture of something and I was surprised to see that it was an article from The Alveolar Bulletin.
"Diba ikaw to, Doc?"
Miranda, first-ever Filipino Magna Cum Laude in University of Toronto
I felt my cheeks blushed while looking at the article. I was interviewed by a newspaper, a broacasting station, and a magazine on Canada and in the Philippines after my graduation that gave me the experience of being on the limelight for a short period of time.
Para akong artista nung mga panahong yun. Nahihiya tuloy akong maalala ang nangyari noon.
"Yes, that's me. But why do you have a screenshot of that article in your phone?" Napangiti si Nurse Pen.
"Idol kasi kita Doc! Atsaka naramdaman ko lang na baka magtagpo ang mga landas natin kaya tinago ko na to." Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya but at the same time, I felt happy.
I love it when people appreciate me more than how I appreciate myself.
Nurse Pen offered to tour me around the hospital dahil tapos naman na daw ang shift niya. Pinakilala niya ako sa mga staffs na nakakasalubong namin and they immediately showed me their warm welcomes.
Mababait naman silang lahat lalo na ang parehas kong mga psychologists kaya hindi ako nagkaproblema sa simula ng trabaho ko. They even throwed a small party for me after my first shift that made me a lot more comfortable.
Wala na akong ibang pinagkaabalahan dito sa Pilipinas sa nagdaang mga linggo kundi ang trabaho ko. I felt like I was getting tired with my routine until Poli mentioned our yearly tradition: Ang pamimigay ng regalo sa mga street dwellers until Christmas day.
I got really excited for the fact that this will be the first time after 10 years that I'll hand out the gifts personally. Iba pa rin kasi talaga yung pakiramdam kapag nakikita yung ngiti sa mga taong natutulungan mo kaysa naririnig mo lang mula sa iba kung anong naging reaction nila.
Kaya naman ng dumating ang linggo, which is my day off, agad akong pumunta sa may groceries para bumili ng mga ipamimigay kasama si Poli.
"Kuya Hanson, mamaya po tutulong yung mga kaibigan ko sa atin na mag-pack ng mga pagkain." Poli touched the back of his nape. "Pwede niyo po ba akong tawaging Carp habang kasama natin sila?"
"Carp?" Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko. "Bakit?"
"Eh kasi-basta po. Yun kasi yung tawag nila sa akin."
"Pero Poli naman ang tawag ko sayo. Magkaiba kami ng mga kaibigan mo." Poli turned his head towards me and gave me a very stressed out look.
"Hindi po ba pwedeng advanced na regalo niyo na to sa akin para sa pasko?" Poli linked his arms on my right arm. "Sige na Kuya! Pagbigyan niyo na po ako!"
I laughed while he continuously begged me to call him Carp. Sinubukan ko namang sanayin ang sarili ko habang nasa grocery kami but I became curious why he changed his nickname into that.
"Tinatawag po kasi akong bata nung mga kaklase ko dahil sa nickname ko. Kaya para wala ng mang-away sa akin, may nagsabing palitan ko nalang yung nickname ko ng Carp dahil mas cool at pangbinata daw pakinggan "Napatango-tango tuloy ako before grabbing a pack of pasta from the shelves.
"Cool ba yung Carp? I don't think so."
"Kuya naman."
"Oo nga Carp. I don't think Carp sounds cool. It sounds more like a fish to me." Napanganga si Poli that made me laugh. "You should search and learn about Carps."
Pagkatapos naming mamili ng mga kailangan, bumalik na kami sa bahay and started preparing the things that we'll need in packing. Minutes later, dumating na ang dalawang lalaki at isang kaibigang babae ni Poli and they all greeted me with full respect.
I was relieved dahil mababait naman lahat ng kaibigan ni Poli (even though they have weird sides). Tumulong naman silang lahat na makapag-pack kami ng mga food bundles magdamag sa bahay at napag-alaman kong ilang taon na din pala nilang ginagawa to para tumulong.
I suddenly had flashbacks during my high school while I was looking at them laugh and make fun with each other. Bigla ko tuloy namiss ang teenage years ko in Scholastica and ACHS.
"Kuya Hanson! Nakalimutan po pala nating bumili ng mga candy!" Poli said that made me look on the foods that we bought.
Kulang nga talaga kami ng candies kaya naman sinabihan ko sila na aalis ba muna ako para bumili. But Poli insisted to go because he said that he knows the only convenience store near the village that is still open at this hour.
"Are you sure you'll be fine by yourself? Hatinggabi pa naman na."
"Opo naman Kuya! Ako na ang bahala sa candies basta pahiram ako ng bike mo ha?" Poli said while smiling naughtily.
Agad naman akong tumango, ginulo ang buhok niya and pushed him out para makaalis na siya agad.
Bumalik ako sa may sala and helped the kids pack the goods again. Napasulyap ako sa relo ko and found out that Poli has been out for quite a while already. Nagpaalam muna ako sa mga bata to get my phone on my room and get in touch with Poli.
Pagdating ko sa kwarto, saktong may text message akong natanggap from Poli. He said that a familiar woman was on the convenience store and I should go pick him up to check her out.
One of my eyebrows raise with the word "woman". I got a bit curious but not because of the woman kundi kung sino ang babaeng tinutukoy ni Poli. Tinext ko naman siya kaagad and said that I'll go to fetch him.
From: Poli
Nasa 578 Convenience Store po ako Kuya. Liko ka lang po pakaliwa pagkalabas mo ng village then dire-diretso lang hanggang sa makita niyo na po yung sign ng store.
I immediately grabbed my keys on the table and my light blue coat on the closet before running back to the living room. Nagpaalam na muna ako sa mga bata na pupuntahan ko si Poli before I ran again to the garage.
When I started my car's engine, my heart started beating loudly for no reason. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba to sa kape o dahil kulang na ako sa tulog.
But I finally found the answers to this feeling when I entered the convenience store. It was already the time given to me by fate to meet the woman that I'm dying to see for years.
Sunshine Ortiz really looks 10x wonderful in my eyes today with her ash gray shoulder length hair. She was only wearing light make up but her aura was still able to exude too much confidence.
"Uy Hanson! Ikaw na ba yan?"
I was able to read all of her actions. From the time she tried to conceal herself from me, the way she faked her smile, and her tone while talking to me. She is completely uncomfortable and I don't know what to do to help her loosen up.
"Nako! Malapit na mag-umaga!"
My lips slightly parted when Sunshine started acting like she's in a hurry. I wanted to make her stay so when she was about to go, I grabbed her hand to make her stay.
But guess what happened next?
Sunshine got out of balance that made her push the shelf of foods on her back. Before she could fall along with the shelf, I put my arms around her waist and held her up.
"Shit. Are you okay?"
Sunshine didn't talk and just stared at me. I also did the same thing as I appreciate more of her beauty upclose while my heart is beating loudly.
"NAKO! HINDIIIIIIIII!"
Our staring contest finally stopped ng mapatayo kami ng maayos dahil sa gulat sa sigaw ng lalaki sa counter. And when we looked around the store, everything was messed up like some kind of a storm hopped in.
We tried to talk about who will pay for the damages since the counter boy was furious and scared for the owner's reaction. Inako ko nalang ang lahat ng gastos para wala ng gulo but Sunshine ended up getting mad.
"Okay fine. Diyan ka naman magaling, ang sisihin ang sarili mo."
My heart suddenly ached when I sensed hatred on Sunshine's tone and her eyes.
"Welcome back Prince Hanson Miranda. Bakit ka nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na bumalik kung ganyan ka pa rin naman?"
This is not what I wanted to happen but it just ended up like this. How am I going to make her as my friend again if she still hates me?