Chapter 36 | Open

Pulmonary valve stenosis, this condition could occur when the pulmonary valve was considered small, narrow or stiff. Our pulmonary valve let the blood flow forward to our lungs.

Having a defect would slow down the flow and could cause the right ventricle to pump harder to send the blood out... which could thicken the right ventricle and strain the heart.

May kahirapang tukuyin kung ang tao ba ay may ganitong kondisiyon sapagkat madalas ay wala itong mga simtomas. Ang iilang simtomas pa nito ay hindi accurate at maaaring ibang sakit ang matukoy tulad na lamang ng irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath at chest pain.

This condition was common in babies or kids since it could be develop before birth. It ranged from mild to severe, mild pulmonary stenosis rarely worsen over time. People with mild symptoms might never require any treatment since it could be cured with medications.

In Thera Mia C. Zorron's case, her condition was mild based from everything I read and tests I'd analyzed... that was why I couldn't see enough reason for her to avail our VIP service.

"Maybe her parents just worry much of her condition and they don't want it to get bad in the future," Trinity said in an opinionative manner.

I nodded, she had a point.

"You want some?" she handed me a bread with cheese on its top.

"Nah, sa 'yo na," I declined.

"Sure? Masarap kaya," she asked me again.

"Alam kong masarap at gusto mo kaya sa 'yo na, nakatatlo ka na nga," I told her.

Kasabay ko si Trinity sa pag-uwi ng Pilipinas. We were in the plane as I reviewed again Zorron's files and kind of discussed about it with the eating Trinity Selezter.

"Feeling ko talaga ay tumataba na ako," she sadly whispered to me while chewing.

I chuckled and closed the files.

"Paano mo naman nasabi?" alu ko.

"From the hospital, after my whole schedule, lagi akong diretso kain at tulog na. I don't exercise often, hell, bunganga ko nga lang yata ang laging gumagalaw dahil sa pagkain. Gustuhin ko mang i-maintain ang weight, 'di ko kaya dahil busy sa bwisit na residency," she ranted.

"And can you believe it, I am fucking twenty-four and still a virgin!" she added.

I laughed at her rants and tried lowering her voice because some might hear her.

"Naka-aasar, Lukan. Pangit ba ako?" she asked me.

"Hindi ka pangit—"

"Then why?" she acted.

"I don't know?" I unsurely answered, "seriously, Trinity... so what if you gain weight and be a bit chubby? As long as you'll stay healthy, it's fine."

"Wala na ngang pumapatol sa akin noong sexy pa ako, paano pa kaya kung tumaba na? Naka-bababa kaya ng self-confidence," she stated.

"Hey, don't be like that. You're beautiful in any weight. Huwag mong sukatin ang kahalagahan mo gamit ang opinyon ng ibang tao. Be happy and just wait for the right man to come," I told her.

"Kung ayaw mo talagang tumaba, then do something to prevent it. Ranting won't help you improve, start doing what you want and commit to it," I added.

"Ang busy kasi lagi," iyak niya.

"Trinity, no one's ever busy. Try changing your time management—"

"Even when I try doing it, alam mo 'yong napangungunahan ang katawan mo lagi ng pagod because of work? Pagod lang ako galing sa hospital pero 'yong pagod na 'yon ay naka-aapekto sa lahat ng gusto kong gawin," she stated.

"Alright, then... if you're tired of everything in general go rest but not too much. May iba kasing nakalilimot ng gawain sa pagpapahinga," I said.

"Kumbaga ang na sa isip nila they're resting and they don't want distractions yet they unconsciously turn their backs on their responsibilities and priorities."

"Sinasabi nilang nagpapahinga ako kaya sa susunod ko na lang 'yan gagawin. Don't be like that. If the task is a must, then do it immediately," I tried expanding it.

"Gets ko ang sinasabi mo," she whispered as if she was still processing my words.

"I'm not really good at explaining but yeah," I told her.

"Thank you," she randomly said.

"Geez, you don't need to thank me," natatawa kong sabi.

"I was about to say something but I restrained myself because I know you won't like hearing it," she informed me.

"Ano?" I asked.

"No, hindi mo nga magugustuhan-"

"Just tell me," I insisted.

She pouted for seconds, eyes far from me, "I was about to say na ang suwerte ni Mia sa 'yo..." she trailed off.

"I mean, I knew your efforts from Olivver's stories. You shook the hell out of me, I didn't expect you'd be that kind of a guy," she continued.

"Knowing Mia let you go to waste is, for me, a bad decision. Hindi ko alam ang side niya but it saddens me that a man like you got cancelled..." she added.

"This is only my reaction as your friend, ha. I don't hate or blame her," sabi pa niya.

"I don't know what to react when this is the topic," I said between my chuckles, "bad shot lang talaga noon at hindi tama ang lahat."

"Right, plus you guys were young back then. Wala lang, I hope you also find someone who knows to value the things you do for her. Lalo na ngayong you are a better man. Daming nurses and residents ang may gusto sa 'yo, alam mo ba iyon?" she told me with a mocking tone.

"Akala nga nila ay tayo dahil super close natin. 'yong ibang makakapal ang mukha ay sinusubukan pa akong i-degrade—"

"Sino?" I got alerted.

"Wala, I handled myself fine," she said to me instead.

"Are you sure? Hindi ka ba nila physically sinaktan or something?" I asked.

"Hindi naman, hanggang salita lang sila. Tapos na 'yon at hindi ko naman sineryoso," she assured me.

"Sure kang okay na talaga?"

"Ang kulit, oo nga. I'm not weak, you know," she assured me.

"Alam ko naman. I just don't want you getting treated that way because of me," I told her.

"Alam mo, Lukan, kung hindi ako broken hearted nilandi na kita," Trinity joked.

"Hindi mo pa pala ako nilalandi sa lagay na 'to?" pakikisabay ko.

"Kapal!" she commented.

That was how we spent our time, ginamit ko rin ang mga oras upang magpahinga dahil sa pagbaba namin ay hindi ako didiretso sa bahay. I planned to visit the hospital first, buy foods for my mother and go to our new home.

"Sinong susundo sa atin sa labas?" Trinity asked me as we walked toward the entrance of the airport.

"Ang baby mo," I answered.

"Sino sa mga 'yon?" she asked and laughed.

I glanced at her with a questionable look on my face, "Ilan ba sila?"

Patuloy lamang kami ni Trinity sa asaran hanggang sa narating namin ang arrival area. Busy na siyang hanapin si Fred sa dami ng tao at nakasunod lamang ako sa kanya upang tingnan.

Some of the people didn't like the way she acted or carried herself, some of their stares glued at her body because of her clothes.

Right, Pilipinas nga pala ito.

"Trinity—"

"I see him! I see him!" nagagalak niyang anunsyo sa akin, tila hindi ramdam ang mga matang nakatingin.

I smiled at my friend and asked her where she saw Fred. Hinila niya naman ako patungo sa baby niya at hindi siya nagkamali sa nakita.

"Trinity!" bati ni Fred nang nakalapit kami.

Trinity hugged her the same way she hugged me whenever we met.

"Ayos, Fred, mas matagal tayong magkaibigan pero si Trinity ang unang binati," sabi ko.

"Wow! You look matured compared from the last time I saw you," Trinity complimented Fred.

Fred chuckled and said, "Uh, thank you? Anyway, akin na ang gamit mo, ako na ang magdadala."

"Ayos talaga, Fred! Dalhin mo rin itong akin," I ordered.

"Babae ka ba? Kayang kaya mo na 'yan," he dismissed me.

"Lukan, huwag kang magseselos, magkaibigan lang kami," Trinity joked using a dramatic tone.

Nag-usap ang dalawa hanggang sa nakarating kami sa sasakyan ni Fred.

"Grabe, ganito pala ka-init dito sa Philippines," Trinity commented.

"Tutok mo sa 'yo ang aircon kung naiinitan ka pa rin," I suggested her.

"Thank you, hindi ko in-expect na ganito ka-init. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang ring of fire," she cracked a joke.

"Lukan, sa hospital ka bababa, 'di ba?" Fred asked me.

"Oo," sagot ko, "ikaw, Trinity? Saan kayo ni Fred magd-date?" I joked.

"Anong date?" she asked, "gagala lang. He'll tour me around Manila."

My eyes widened and looked at Fred in the rearview mirror.

"Hoy, Fred! Ipapa-alala ko lang na may past itong si Trinity kay Gierro—"

"Lukan, we're just friends, chill!" komento ni Fred.

"Dapat lang, aba, ayaw kong dumating sa puntong kayo na ni Gierro ang may gera—"

"Saka pinilit ko pa si Fred na i-tour ako, he didn't volunteer," Trinity cut in, "ayaw kitang pilitin dahil alam ko namang uunahin mo ang hospital."

"What? Why do you sound sad all of the sudden? I can tour you around too, just tell me beforehand—"

"Ayon nga, Lukan. You're busy with things and I don't want to interrupt. Lagi kitang nagugulo kaya ibang tao naman ngayon," she said.

"You're not interrupting me when you ask for something, I always have time for my friends," I told her back.

"Mga salita mo, Lukan. Buti hindi ka pa nahulog diyan, Trinity?" natatawang tanong ni Fred.

"Nah, I don't fall for friends," she said, "and friends of friends. I learned my lesson."

"Deep," I commented.

"Based on experience, e," biro ni Fred.

"Lukan, nag-text sa akin si mommy. Update raw kay Mia?" Trinity shifted the topic.

Bago pa ako magsalita ay nagkomento na si Fred, "Wait, Mia? As in si Thera Mia C. Zorron? Anong mayro'n, Lukan?"

"Chill, 'di kami nagbalikan," natatawa kong sabi.

"Gago, paano ako magc-chill, e, ilang taon na ang nakalipas ngayon ninyo lang inungkat? Anong ganap? Puta, hirap ng laging na sa kampo," he ranted.

"Alam ni Trinity ang tungkol sa inyo, Lukan? Kailan mo pa nalaman, Trinity?" he asked.

"Nitong nakaraan lang din when mom talked to Lukan about her condition. Olivver summarized their story for me but not detailed, 'di ko pa rin alam why they got separated and stuff," sagot niya.

"She has a pulmonary stenosis kasi and her family wants to avail Lukan's hospital's VIP treatment," Trinity added.

"Oh, doctor ang mama mo ni Mia?" he asked.

"Yes and mom recommended Lukan's hospital kaya ayon. Small world, right?" Trinity said with humor.

"Ayos," Fred commented.

"Well, tadhana is a bitch," Trinity stated.

"Hindi ko pa rin siguradong papayagan ko silang mag-avail ng special treatment. I mean, her condition isn't bad at all and it can be cured with medication tapos tamang check lang every month sa cardiologist which is sa mama ni Trinity," I unconsciously said.

"Hindi sa ipinagdadamot ko ang serbisyo o may sama pa rin akong kinikimkim, it's just that there are some people with serious health problems who need this service more than her," I added.

"Kung matatandaan mo, Trinity, I searched for unprivileged people with health problems the past months. Plano ko silang i-libre sa pagpapagamot gamit ang special services ng hospital. I want to help unfortunate people with serious health problems, hindi lang basta kumita o masabing may nagawa para sa kapwa," I pointed out.

"Right..." she trailed off, "I remember."

"Pero iisa lang naman si Mia, I mean, I think you have a room for her kahit labas siya sa plano," Fred said.

"Treating her will benefit your hospital too. In terms of popularity and connection, their family name is influential and powerful. Curing one of them will surely expose your hospital more," Fred added.

"Hindi naman sa kailangan mo pa no'n for the fame but you know, it's helpful," sabi pa ni Fred.

"Her family must be concerned. In terms of health, for me, 'di 'yan nababase kung gaano kalala," Trinity told me.

"Health is health and it must be prioritized... may maganda ka namang hangarin, Lukan, but don't exclude anyone in terms of health problems," Trinity added.

"Point taken," Fred commented.

"Right," I said.

"Just adjust things, Lukan. Not everything will go according to what you want," Trinity suggested.

I sighed and didn't say anything.

"You don't need to think of it, Lukan, if your mind set is to still work for the people," Trinity added.

I left Fred's car with a heavy mind. Saglit akong tumayo sa harap ng aking hospital nang nakababa at tiningnan ang istruktura nitong noon ay hindi ko inakalang matatayo.

"Sir, good afternoon," a doctor greeted me.

I smiled and greeted back. She asked if we could enter the hospital together and I agreed para less awkward sa pagpasok.

I didn't catch her up when people started to acknowledge my presence. Hanggang sa nakaharap ko na ang mga tao sa central supply at nagsimula kaming mag-usap tungkol sa mga dumating na equipments.

I spent almost four hours on checking everything, ni-hindi napansing maggagabi na.

"Ingat po, sir Fortelleza," the workers told me when I bid good bye.

Na sa dulong parte ng hospital ang supplies kung kaya't mahabang lakarin pa patungong labas. Nagbabasa ako ng mensahe ni mama, sinabi niyang may driver na raw sa aking naghihintay sa labas upang hindi na ako mahirapan sa pag-uwi nang may nurse akong nakasalubong at muntik pang mabunggo.

"Sorry, miss," I immediately told her.

"O-Okay lang po, wala po iyon," she tried to sound stable.

My eyes glanced at the room she came from, hindi pa niya nasasara ang pinto kung kaya't bahagya kong nakita ang taong na sa loob. I looked at the room number and noted it inside my head.

"Sinong pasyente ang nandito?" I asked her when she finally closed the door.

"Mrs. Celine Dorales po," she answered.

Oh. Wow. What a fucking small world.

"What's her condition?" I asked.

"Heart failure po," sagot niya.

I nodded and asked for the last time, "Can I visit her? Kilala ko naman siya."

"Sure po, wala naman pong tao sa loob. Wala pa po iyong pamilya niya," she told me.

I nodded and decided to come in. The room was quiet and cold or was it just for me because Dorales looked comfortable on her bed.

The memory of her from the back of my head seemed vivid as if seeing her took me back from my high school days... yet I didn't feel anything bad seeing her today.

Biglang sumagi pa sa isip ko noong nilalait namin siyang magkakaibigan at sinabi kong hindi ko siya tatanggapin sa aking hospital kahit pa 50-50 ang buhay. Bahagya akong natawa nang alalahanin iyon. The words from the old me were really something.

"I hope you won't kick me out of here," I heard her joke to me.

"Good evening, ma'am Dorales," bati ko.

"Good evening din, Mr. Fortelleza," she greeted me with a husky voice.

Hirap magsalita ngunit pinilit niya upang maka-usap ako.

She literally appeared weak, far from the powerful guidance officer that everyone looked up to and feared of. She aged, hair a bit white and from the way she spoke, I could tell she had been suffering serious pain inside.

"You don't have to say anything, ma'am. I just came in because I saw you from outside. I'll leave now if you wish to—"

"Lukan," she called me, "I want you to know... that I somehow believed you that day."

"Po?"

"That day you tried answering me to defend yourself. A part of me believed," she repeated.

"Oh, that. It's okay, ma'am, tapos naman na po—"

"Gusto ko lang ikuwento sa 'yo ito... dahil tutal nagkita muli tayo," she said, almost lost of breath.

"Before that school year ended, Abigail's parents attacked the office. T-They were furious of what happened to Abigail," she started.

What? I didn't know about this.

"H-Hindi ito nilabas ng school upang hindi na kumalat... nabuntis ni Kevin si Abigail," she told me.

My mouth hanged a bit open as I processed everything.

"Iyong mga oras na iyon, sumagi ka sa isip ko. Sumagi sa akin ang eksplenasyon mong gusto mo lamang protektahan si Abi—" she coughed hard kaya natigil sa pagdasalita.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" I asked, concerned.

"This is normal, Lukan, sorry," she told me.

She composed herself again despite of her condition. She really was eager to tell me this.

"I want to tell you this before I die—"

"You're not going to die now, ma'am—"

"Oh, Lukan, believe me when I say people can feel when their time come," she said to me.

"Hindi ko maintindihan ang naramdaman ko noon. Alam ko ang rason galing sa iyo pero hindi ako naniwala ng buo... and the consequence of my action was harder to digest, Abigail's life became a mess because of that boy."

"Natulungan ko sana si Abigail maiwasan ang kanyang sinapit kung naniwala ako sa 'yo," she told me.

"I'm telling this most probably because I feel like dying... but whatever happens, I'm happy meeting a former student na suki ng guidance," she happily said.

"I'm proud of the things you achieved and what you'd become, Mr. Fortelleza," sabi niya sa akin.

I couldn't say anything. The person who thought bad of me said those words.

She smiled and closed her eyes after I spoke. That was my cue to leave suffering mixed emotions.

Ma'am Dorales was the last sign I needed for this decision... and now I was sure.

Trinity

Lukan:
Hey, you there?

Yes, why?

Lukan:
Tell tita Aneia to set a meeting between me and the Zorron.

What? IS THIS FOR REAL? U ACCEPTING THEM?

Lukan:
Yes, and I can speak to them as soon as they want. The hospital's service is open to all anyway.

I gazed for the last time at ma'am Dorales' room and whispered, "Thank you, ma'am."