Chasing Storm

Chapter 2

THE next day ay hindi ako nakapasok sa University dahil nilagnat na nga ako ng tuluyan, but it wasn't that bad at all. My Dad was so worried to the point na dinala niya pa ako sa hospital.

Nu'ng nakita ko ang mga nakilala ko last year na naka OJT sa hospital na pinagdalhan sa akin ni Dad ay nahiya ako ng konti. I wasn't that sick to be hospitalized! Masakit lang ang ulo ko pero wala akong sipon o ubo.

“Dad, let's just go home please.” I begged while he was slicing some apples. He was acting as if I was in a bad condition the whole hours.

“Later, Shan. Pina test ko ang blood mo to make sure that you're not low blood or something,” he replied.

Napakamot ako sa batok ko at walang ganang humiga na lang ulit. I can't believe na pag gising ko ay nasa hospital na ako. I was so shocked the exact moment I opened my eyes. Akala ko ay nasa langit na ako because of the white background. 

“Hi, Mr. Borromeo.” bati ng doctor na pumasok sa kuwarto ko, “Her test results are fine, you can take her home now.” nakangiting saad nito.

Masigla akong tumayo ng marinig na makakauwi na ako. I hate hospitals dahil ayokong nakakakita ng taong nag sa-suffer because it reminds me of my Mom. She was hospitalized for 2 years because of leukemia. Akala ko nga noon ay bahay na rin namin ang hospital dahil halos doon na rin kami tumira ni Dad. I grew up seeing her suffer, lalo na kapag session na ng therapy niya, I can't stand her cries kaya lumalabas ako at sa cafeteria nagpapalipas ng oras. I was 8 years old that time and at the age of 10 i already felt the feeling of being left. I lost her at the age that i needed her the most. Nagdadalaga ako that time and everything was hard without her. My Dad was with me pero iba parin ang nagagawa ng isang nanay, lalo na kapag babae ka.

“Ang hyper mo, parang hindi ka nilagnat kagabi ah.”

“You know how much I hate hospitals, Dad.” I replied as i rolled my eyes.

Hindi na ako tumingin sa mga taong naka tambay sa hallway ng hospital dahil naaawa ako sa kanila. Lalo na doon sa mga naglalakad na patients na walang kasama at 'yung mga naka wheelchair. Sometimes, I hate being soft hearted. Pakiramdam ko ay tinutusok ang puso ko kapag may nahihirapan sa harap ko tapos wala akong magawa. That's why I'm so proud of my Dad, he's doing his best to help childrens kaya wala akong karapatang magalit sa kanya for being so nice.

“You okay with your studies?” bigla ay tanong ni Dad habang nasa biyahe.

“No. Nahihirapan ako, Dad.” I honestly told him. I am always honest with my feelings, especially when I'm with him. He trained me to be like one so he must bare with it. 'Yun nga lang ay hindi sa lahat ng oras honest ako. I'm afraid to hurt other people's feelings kaya as much as possible iniingatan ko ang words na pinipili ko. I don't know, i just can't stand seeing people in pain.

“Hindi ko alam kung bakit wala talagang pumapasok sa utak ko. May times na gets ko naman ‘yung lessons pero maya maya lang ay hindi ko na ulit alam.” dismayadong dagdag ko. I feel so helpless. Pakiramdam ko ay sobrang hina ng utak ko.

“I know someone that can help you. He's one of my scholars sa We Care, I'll call him today to tutor you.” I nodded at him, I guess I really need a tutor this time.

“You okay with me having a tutor now?” natatawang tanong ko.

“I'm still not into tutors, Shan. It's just that I trusted this man enough to be alone with you. I know he won't hurt you.” he answered. I know na hindi niya parin makalimutan ang nangyari sa akin with my tutor back then.

Yeah right. Looks like he trusted that man so much to the point na okay lang sa kanya na lalaki ang tutor ko. Basta galing sa We Care ay ayos sa kanya.

We Care Home is the first orphanage na napuntahan ko. That was when I was 12 years old, 'yun ang una at huling beses na nakapunta ako roon.

Hindi na ako sumama pa ulit kay Dad after that because of that boy. I can still remember his light brown eyes na nagpatulala sa akin. I don't know but I don't like his effect on me, there's something inside me na parang nagwawala kapag naiisip ko 'yung mata niya.

Sa dami ng scholars ni Dad, hindi ko alam kung sino doon ang tinutukoy niya. I've met some of them dahil 'yung iba ay nag-aaral din sa university na pinapasukan ko.

My Dad treated his scholars as his own children so I treated them as my sisters or brothers as well. 'Wag lang sana 'yung lalaking may brown eyes na 'yun dahil hindi ko siya gustong makasama. Wala naman akong galit or what sa kanya, sadyang ‘di lang ako kumportable. Isang beses pa lang kaming nagkita ay hindi ko na gusto ang epekto niya sa’kin.