November 30, 2016

Your POV

After being trapped in the hospital for a month, I was finally getting released.

Mom packed all my things while Mikey was helping her. Mikey became close with mom and dad while I was hospitalized. 

They both like him, mom kept calling him "Anak" while dad would talk to him about things like cars and motors.

[Anak = Child]

The doctor came inside the room with a file in his hand.

Mikey helped me sit up on the bed while my parents were beside us.

"Congratulations on your release. You were very strong to survive the critical, I hope your recovery will be fast." He said.

I smiled and I looked at the people beside me and we shared a gentle group hug. Mom kissed me on my forehead, Mikey kissed me on the cheek, and dad gently held my shoulder.

"That being said, you're still recovering so we advise you to rest. Means, wala munang trabaho until you're fully healed. Also please be careful with your head, a sudden impact can cause hemorrhage. As for your lung, hinay-hinay muna. Wag masyadong mapagod and thankfully your rib is already almost healed." The doctor advised to which I nodded.

[T: That being said, you're still recovering so we advise you to rest. Meaning, no overworking until you're fully healed. Also please be careful with your head, a sudden impact can cause hemorrhage. As for your lung, just take it easy. Don't tire yourself, and thankfully your rib is already almost healed.]

He gave more advice and instructions about my medication before leaving us alone.

"Nak, napag-usapan namin ng mama mo na iuwi ka sa probinsiya para magpagaling." dad said.

[T: Luz, me and your mom have talked about it and decided to take you back to the province for you to heal.]

I smiled and agreed, I can't heal quickly if I stay in Manila. I'll only be a burden to Cia.

"At, napag-usapan din namin na isama si Mikey." Mom said

[T: We also agreed to take Mikey with us.]

"Huh?" I said and looked at the three of them who were smiling.

"Nakuwento niya na wala siyang permanent na inuuwian dito sa Pinas kaya inimbitahan na namin na sumama, tutal tinulungan tayo sa hospital bills." Mom said.

[T: He mentioned that he doesn't have a permanent address here in the Philippines so we invited him to come with us, besides, he helped us with the hospital bills.]

"I mean, sure. Pero bakit parang ang dali niyong mag-agree? Kakikilala niyo lang sakanya last month." I said while eyeing them with suspicion.

[T: I mean, sure. But why do you guys agree easily? You just met him last month.]

"Hindi pa ba sapat na siya ang nobyo mo para mag-agree kami? Matanda ka na kaya may tiwala kami sa pinipili mo." Dad said.

[T: Is it not enough of a reason that he's your boyfriend? You're old enough so we trust who you pick.]

"Tama, except dun sa ex mo." Mom muttered.

"Right, except for your ex.]

"Huh?" I asked

"Wala wala. So, ready ka na ba na umalis ng hospital?" She asked. I smiled and nodded.

[T: Nothing, nothing. Are you ready to get out of the hospital?]

"Ay wait, kuha kayo ng wheelchair." I said

[T: Oh wait, get a wheelchair.]

"Huh? Bakit? Masakit ba paa mo?" Mom worriedly asked.

[T: Huh? Why? Do your legs hurt?]

"Hindi, gusto ko lang maranasan tutal nandito na rin tayo. Lagi nalang na ako yung nagtutulak eh, ako naman ang sasakay ngayon." I said.

[T: No, I just want to experience it since we're already here. I was the one who always have to push so I want to be the one who rides today.]

Mom sighed and dad chuckled before they asked for a wheelchair for me to use.

I was about to stand up to go sit but Mikey stopped me.

"Mikey?" I asked

"Hold on." He said and lifted me gently and sat me down in the wheelchair.

"Aba, ang sweet." Mom said while I blushed by his sudden gesture while smiling.

[T: Oh, so sweet.]

Mikey pushed the wheelchair until we were almost out of the hospital. We waited for mom to finish signing some papers. Dad took the car keys from Mikey and went to the parking lot.

"Mikey?" I called

"Hmm?" He responded

"Thank you for being here with me." I said

"I should be the one saying that." He said and smiled.

Moments later, mom was finished and dad came outside the exit with the car. Mom sat in front while I and Mikey sat in the backseat together.

They said that they already bid goodbye to Kristina and Kris. They're still busy rebuilding their house that was damaged by the storm so we'll just call later.

I leaned on Mikey's shoulder and felt drowsy. I closed my eyes and let sleep come.

It's going to be a long way home.

.

.

.

Mikey's POV

After a long ride and some stops here and there, we finally arrived at Luz'z hometown. It was already night time so the scenery wasn't visible but the atmosphere was different from the cities. 

It was quiet and peaceful.

The houses were far apart and the road isn't developed yet.

I looked at Luz who was still sleeping on my shoulder.

"Lulu-chin." I softly called and tapped her lightly.

"Mmm, five minutes pa." She muttered. 

I heard her mom chuckle at the front.

"She must be tired, I'll let her dad carry her." She said

"Don't worry, titah. I can carry her myself." I said and smiled.

She agreed so when I got out of the car after removing her head from my shoulder, I opened her side of the car and carefully carried her in bridal style to their house.

They led me to her room and laid her down on the bed and covered her with the blanket and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Her mom excused herself to get me some sheets for me to sleep. I told them that I'll sleep in her room so I can be here when she feels something wrong and they agreed.

While I wait, I looked around her room and saw some old posters on the wall. Some medals and certificates were pinned to the wall. Old books on the shelf, mostly about medicine.

While I was skimming through books, I saw a photo album and took it. I sat nearby as I flipped it open.

I saw pictures of Luz when she was a baby. Her mom, holding her lovingly with a wide smile on her face.

In the next picture, I saw her getting spoonfed by her dad while on a stroller. A picture of her, still a baby, while being held by her mom and dad on each hand as they walk on the beach.

I smiled as I saw more of her baby pictures until I reached a page where she was 8, I chuckled as I saw her frown while wearing a dress.

The next page shows some of her pictures with her cousins of her friends back then.

Along with the middle pages, I saw that there was a space in one panel. A picture was taken off from the album. I didn't pay any mind to it and flipped through her other pictures.

I saw some pictures of her in her teens until her college life. Every picture was perfect but the image of her smile in my mind was still the most beautiful portrait of her.

But an image will never be compared to the subject itself.

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