by Ardy and Dave
Then she voluntarily continued: “Mao tong naluja na sija mam….. hu hu hu hu . .ug sa pagkaluja nija, naglubog na jud sija.. . . Maaaaam, adtong tungora galubog na sija…. adtong tungura, murag dili na naho kaya.. . . Tiaw bay tulo na silang nagkadugo sa ahong atubangan: hu hu hu . . . dihay ahong Mary Joy nga wala nay mga kamot……. dihay ahong 3 anyos nga anak nga wala na maglihuk kay ija nang giduslak…. diha pa pud ahong pares nga galubog na pud… Ginoo mag-unsa na man ko?”
This was how our episode concluded last week (Jan. 24, 2021). This was how Laura, the mother, shared her story with us. We offered her a glass of water to clear whatever form of emotional oppression she was carrying that very moment. She said she was ok.
Dave and I wanted to break the conversation as we felt that the atmosphere became heavy for us, too – and maybe for Laura and for Mary Joy. But before we could do it, our team leader, Dr. Mutya Kismet Macuno was kind enough to come again inside the hut.
As Dr. Macuno stepped inside, everybody’s attention was focused on her. Dr. Macuno appeared so light hearted that I felt I saw an angel playing deus ex machina to save all of us from the weight of what we seemed to carry. I saw Mary Joy stand when Dr. Macuno came in and the young girl blessed the hand of the doctor.
I told myself, “Close lagi sila no?”
“Gadala ra ba ko ug mga drawing books, ug mga crayons, ug uban pang mga drawing materials para nimo Joy,” Dr Macuno happily said.
Hearing this statement, Mary Joy gladly smiled. She showed eagerness to receive the drawing books, the coloring pencils and the other materials.
I saw Dr. Macuno giving two big bags to Mary Joy. These bags were filled with stuff. These bags were all intended for Mary Joy and her family.
Without any hesitation, the other siblings of Mary Joy hurriedly encircled Dr. Macuno as the latter was spreading all the “glad tidings” of materials on the floor. And, Yes, Dr. Macuno also sat on the floor. The topmost officer of Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital sat on the floor. She looked at me and as she smiled at me, she drew all my worries away.
“Para ni ninyong tanan ha. Ganahan man gud ni si Mary Joy mag drawing. Ganahan gani ni siya mosuwat. Dili ba Mary Joy?” This was the question of Dr. Macuno.
I saw the sweetest smile, so far, from Mary Joy since we arrived. Her eyes were very expressive of her happiness. Her long lashes seemed to touch the depth of her feelings. Her pair of well defined lips was very articulate in silently communicating to Dr. Macuno that the young girl was truly happy of what the doctor brought.
“Oy, oy, oy. . . . . kanang driver ni Ma’am Ardy mura ug maoy nay magdala nato ug hubac. Palayo palayo intawn anang imong siharilyo. Palihug lang,” Dr. Macuno called the attention of my driver.
“Mirisi. Beh. Dili man gud ka maglikay ug sigarilyo,” my secretary told the driver.
These conversations shifted my attention from the sad tale of Laura to the incorrigible driver. And I had a reason to get out of the hut to go to the driver to tell him that it was and it is not good to smoke.
“Mugawas sa ko doc, ha, kay mo award sa ko sa driver, doc. Pastilan ning edaran na ta unya naa pa gyuy magsigarilyo sa atong likuran,” I said referring to the driver.
“Pila na diay imong edad, mam?” I heard a voice asking me the question.
“Ha? Ako? Ako’y gipangutana nimo Mary Joy?” I asked.
Mary Joy answered: “Yes mam. Ikaw mam. Pila na diay imong edad?”
Dave, hearing the question, looked at me and giggled as he knows this is one of the questions I hate most.
Mary Joy was persistent in her question: “Pila na man diay imong edad, Mam?”
“Kadiyot lang ha. Kadiyot lang kaayo kay mag awarding ceremonies ko aring ahong driver kay nganong nanigarilyo,” I said.
Without answering Mary Joy, I sped off towards the door and out into the open to the direction where our van was parked. As I approached Randy, I knew he was expecting some form of “awarding ceremony” for his smoking spree. But he was surprised because instead of reprimanding him, I softly said: “Randy, salamat kaayo kay nanigarilyo ka aron naay akong rason nga mogawas aron kunuhay kasab-an ka naho. Hibaw ka ug ngano? Tungod kay bug-at na kaayo ang estorya ni Laura. Hapit dili na naho kaya. Unya misamot ka bug-at kay gipangutana ko ni Mary Joy ug pila na’y ahong edad. Tabaaaaaaang mga langit. Unsaon man ni naho pagtubag oi? Nganong miabot man mi ug hisgut ug edad? Hu hu hu. Samoka man ni oi.”
Then, I went back to the hut. I pretended I was successful in my “awarding ceremonies” for Randy. I saw and heard Dr. Macuno talking to Laura and to Mary Joy and to the other kids.
When the people inside the hut saw me come in, the atmosphere became lighter. Mary Joy saw me and I again sat in front of her. She looked at me and gave me again her sweet brand of smile.
I thought she forgot her question, but then, again, she asked me: “Pila na diay imong edad mam?”
Whaaaaaaaaa. I wanted to cry like a baby. If only Mary Joy knew that not even one of our employees would ask me that quest. Not even my children. If only Mary Joy knew that my two grandchildren have maintained my decision that I am only 35 years old.
“Pila man diay imong tan-aw Mary Joy sa ahong edad?” I asked.
“Imong edad mam? Mura ka ug . . . . ah . . . Eighty (80) years old na ka mam?” Mary Joy answered.
“Ha?” was my quick answer.
Mary Joy asked again: “Eighty na ka mam?” (To be continued)