Mary Joy looked at me blankly. And I could see again some tears wanting to fall down her face. 

“Ngano mang kahilakon na man pud na siya?” I asked myself silently.

I looked for Dave as I wanted to have some answers to my question. Dave didn’t respond.

 I looked back at Mary Joy and she looked at me -differently this time. Is she angry at me? Is she remembering something? Is she tired? Her eyes focused on me. I was a bit scared. Did I do something wrong? Did I ask something harsh? Did I commit a mistake? 

These were the questions that went unanswered in our episode last Feb. 7, 2021.

It has been three (3) months since the unforgettable night that changed the lives of Mary Joy, Laura and the rest of the family.

The story of Mary Joy shocked the Boholano community as it exposed the alleged brutality of a man that caused tremendous pain and anguish to a young lady and her family, both mentally and physically.

The eyes of Mary Joy, at this point, were moist and fixed on me. I grasped for answers as to why Mary Joy was staring at me in a pensive manner. She really wanted to get my attention. I wanted to conquer my fears so I asked leisurely, “Kamusta na si Mary Joy?” 

She responded in a low voice I could hardly hear. Laura echoed the answer for her daughter and said, “Mas bubintaha na man na sija karon kay adtong panahon nga gi dagan sija sa hospital.”

Dave and I looked at the two arms where the hands were already missing. The ends of the arms are wrapped with bandages. Suddently, I noticed that Mary Joy stood and got her drawing kit – the one that Dr. Macuno brought. As she started to awkwardly unload the kit from the bag, she looked at me every now and then. She noticed, maybe, that I was wondering if she could still do things with her arms almost half cut. 

“Mary Joy kahibaw diay ka mo draw?” I asked as I looked at Dave.

As I asked the question, I saw a shy smile on her face She got interested in my question. I really noticed the change of behavior now. She started to become “alive”. 

I told myself, “Ah, gusto diay siya tingali nga makakita mi niya nga mag drawing. Nahiubos kaha siya ganiha nga nang gawas mi ni Dave? Nga murag mibiya mi kadiyot? Hala no, ganahan siguro siya nako.”

Without any hesitation, and erasing all the fear of being Narcissistic, I asked her, “Amiga ta Joy no? Ganahan ka nako, dib a? Eighty years old na baya ko?” 

And as I mentioned the number 80, she gave me a very sweet smile, in fact the sweetest I saw from her that morning. She was very sincere as she wore the smile. She responded to my question with a nod. That means she likes me. I felt like hugging her and letting her feel the warmth of a friend. I felt very privileged at that time to be loved and accepted by her. It was like a distinct honor on my part to be smiled at by her. She became enigmatic to me – puzzling and unfathomable – but lovable. 

And she seemed to look for someone. My thoughts again were interrupted by the voice of Dr. Macuno who said: “Mag drawing na ta karon. Ma’am Ardy, tan-awa si Mary Joy nga mag drawing ha!”

 I changed the topic. I was scared that Dr. Macuno’s question would just pressure Mary Joy. How could a girl in her situation draw?

Noticing a tv set on the table, I found a good excuse to change the topic. I asked, “Ganahan ka mo tan-aw ug tv diay, Mary Joy?” 

I thought the TV will help bring entertainment to the family and divert their thoughts for a while. 

“Tigtan-aw ka ba ug PBB, Mary Joy? Kinsa ang paborito nimu sa PBB?” I asked her in a voice loud enough so the others could answer for her, just in case she was not willing to answer the question. 

But Mary Joy barely replied. Again, Laura, the mother answered for her daughter and said, ““BTS man na ijang peborit,” 

In my mind, BTS is what? I haven’t heard of it. It might be a new group or something.  i just nodded and smiled then looked at Dave.

Then Dave said, “Ganahan diay ka ug Korean group, Mary Joy?” 

Oh, so the BTS is a Korean group. How would I ever know when I am only as far as “Probinsiyano” and “Walang Hanggang Paalam”.

As I kept silent I noticed again that the mood of Mary Joy changed. She became a bit insistent. 

“Kahibawo lagi ko mo drawing,” she said. 

How could she draw? How would she move her arms? Will she not just be frustrated if she can’t produce a sketch in front of me, especially now that we have built our own “relationship”. Will she succeed in the drawing? What if she fails? Will our “relationship” fail, too? Will I allow her to prove her drawing skills – without her hands? Or will I just ask permission to go home now that it was getting late? (To be continued)