MFLP : Stranded On You - Chapter 7
1516 Words
"Sir, this can't be," wika ng cashier ng ospital.
"I know this is crazy but I don't have anything as of now. I don't even know my name but I'm sure I have money. Otherwise why would I come here? See, obviously I'm not from this country. I'll promise you to pay as soon as I regain my memory," nahihirapan si Liam na ayusin ang bill niya sa ospital.
"Are you sure, you're not trying to evade?"
"Why would I do that? Besides, the doctor himself gave the findings that I have temporary amnesia," may katuwiran naman talaga siya.
"But I can't decide on this. It's beyond my job description. Would you like to talk to the hospital manager instead?"
"That would be great," nakakita ng pag-asa si Liam.
Pagkatapos ay napunta si Liam sa tanggapan ng manager. Sinusubukan niya ang lahat upang kumbinsihin ang manager na babayaran niya ang singil sa sandaling manauli ang kaniyang memorya. Ipinapakita pa niya sa manager ang mga findings ng doctor. Ngunit tulad ng mga utang sa bangko, kailangan niyang magbigay ng katiyakan. Isang bagay na kagaya ng guarantor.
"Oh wait. The one who brought me here on that day of my accident, she said we met before. Maybe she can help me," desperado na talaga si Liam kaya niya sinabi iyon.
"Do you know her name?" tanong ng manager.
"Like I said, I lost my memory but I'm sure you have records, sir."
"Okay. I'll call the admin. Just a moment."
Pagkatapos ang manager ay tumawag sa admin upang kumpirmahin ang mga talá. Nag-uusap sila ng ilang minuto.
"Mister, they found your record. And that Ms Angie filled it out..."
"Sorry, what's her name again?" putol niya.
"Angie."
"Right, Angie," inulit niya ang pangalan ng babae habang tumatango ang ulo at sinusubukang kabisaduhin ang pangalang iyon.
"But the thing is, she also included that she has nothing to do with you and that she won't take responsible for your bill," patuloy ng manager sa pagsasalita.
"I know. What I'm trying to say is that if we had met before maybe she can help me recover my memory. Then I can pay you."
"What if you will not regain your memory sooner, what you'll gonna do?"
"Well if that's the case, I can still be able to pay once I can get back to my hotel. I may have an amnesia but I'm sure I have money in there."
"Alright, alright. Fill this out. We will sue you if you won't keep your promise." Pagkatapos ay iniabot sa kaniya ng manager ang papel para promissory note at mga dokumento para sa kaniyang paglabas ng ospital.
"Sir, can I have the address of Ms. Angie?
"We can't give personal information."
"I know but please, I just want to thank her for saving my life. I haven't thank her yet. I don't want to become ungrateful. I mean I owe her my life," maaaring may amnesia siya ngunit ang likas na katangian ng pagiging isang mahusay na kumbinsidor ay gumagana pa rin ng perpekto. Mayroon siyang kakayahang ito na hindi maaaring tanggihan ng anumang indibiduwal.
"Okay. I'll let that excuse as an exception."
"Thank you."
Samantala, inihahanda ni Angie ang lahat ng kailangan niya para sa renovation. Bagaman hindi siya nakakagawa ng mabibigat na gawain, pero kahit papaano ay makakapag-ayos pa rin siya ng ilang mga bagay sa lodging house at sa kaniyang bahay mismo. Kumuha siya ang mga trabahador para sa mga mabibigat na bagay at siya na na lang nag-aayos upang makabawas sa gastusin. Nag-order na siya ng mga materyales na kinakailangan para sa renovation at sa loob ng tatlong araw ay darating na mga ito mula sa Dumaguete. Mas gusto niyang sa siyudad na bumili dahil mas mura ito kaysa sa isla. Plus nag-aalok sila ng libreng delivery kaya kinuha na niya ito.
May bumosena labas ng kaniyang bahay kaya hininto niya ang kaniyang trabaho. Dahan-dahan siyang naglalakad papunta sa bintana upang tingnan kung sino ang dumating. Nagulat siya nang makita ang isang patrol car sa harap ng kaniyang bahay. Kaya kinuha niya ang saklay sa lumabas ng bahay. Nang makita siya ng police na dahan-dahang naglalakad, ang police ay bumaba mula sa patrol car para salubungin siya.
"Maayong buntag, sir. Unsa may ato? tanong ni Angie.
("Good morning, sir. Ano pong sadya niya?" tanong ni Angie.)
"Morning. Naa'y makig-istorya nimo."
("Morning. May gusto kumausap sa iyo.")
"Kinsa?" nagtatakang tanong niya.
("Sino po? " nagtatakang tanong niya.)
Kaya't sumenyas ang police para lumabas ang taong gustong kumausap kay Angie. At nang makalabas ito, nagulat si Angie sa nakita. Nahulog pa nga ang saklay niya sa lupa nang hindi namamalayan dahil hindi siya makapaniwala sa nakita.
"Gaunsa man ning taw-hana diri?" tanong ni Angie sa police.
("Anong ginagawa niya dito?" tanong ni Angie sa police.)
"Gusto daw kang pasalamatan. Nitawag ni siya ganina sa ospital, nihangyo kung puwede daw siya ihatod diri."
("Gusto ka lang daw niyang pasalamatan. Tumatawag siya kanina mula sa ospital at nakiusap kung puwede ko ba daw siyang ihatid dito.")
"G-good morning," alangang bati ni Liam kay Angie. Nahihiya man pero nakuha pa nitong ngumiti nang pilit at kumaway pa sa kaniya. Pero si Angie ay wala sa mood para bumati dito.
"What are you doing here?" naiinis na tanong ni Angie.
"I-I just want to say thanks," nauutal si Liam.
"Welcome," matabang tugon niya at sabay talikod upang iwanan ang lalaki at humakbang pabalik sa loob ng bahay. Napansin ni Liam na nakalimutan na nito ang saklay kaya dali-daling pinulot ni Liam mula sa lupa ang saklay para magamit ni Angie.
"Your crutch," wika niya habang inaabot kay Angie ang saklay pero hindi siya nito pinansin at nagpatuloy pa rin ito sa paglalakad. Tiniis nito na magpa-ikaika sa paglalakad kaysa abutin ang saklay mula kay Liam.
"Guys, I'll leave you two talking. I'll go ahead. Bye," nagpaalam ang police at bumalik sa loob ng patrol car. Pagkatapos ay pinaandar nito ang sasakyan at umalis.
"Wait, Angie please hear me out," hinawakan ni Liam ang balikat ni Angie, ngunit ang nakapagpahinto kay Angie sa paglalakad ay ang narinig na pagbanggit nito ng pangalan niya.
"How did you know my name? I didn't tell you my name," inalis ni Angie ang kamay ni Liam sa balikat niya.
"In the hospital. I know we started badly and I'm really sorry for that. But you're the only person I know who can help me right now. I have nothing, not even wallet or cellphone. I just left a promissory note in the hospital."
"What, do you want me pay your bills after the trouble you caused? You're unbelievable!" singhal ni Angie.
"No, it's not like that. I have nowhere else to go. Please help me, I cannot stay in any of those inn out there because I can't find my wallet. I don't have I.D nor cellphone. And if the police can find wallet or cellphone, for sure there must be relevant information in there about my identity. And if they can find my identity sooner, I'll repay you and the hospital."
"Why don't you ask the police for help? Who knows you're a criminal hiding in our country?"
"I may not remember anything but I'm pretty sure I am not a criminal. The police will help me search every hotel in this island for my bookings. And as soon as they find out, I'll return to my hotel regardless if I recover my memory or not."
"Still, I don't want to." Pagkatapos ay tinangka niyang magpatuloy sa paglalakad ngunit si Liam ay desperado na at humarang sa daan.
"Angie please. I have nowhere else to go, I haven't eat yet. You're the one I know whom I had connection with before the accident," pagmamakaawa nito kay Angie. Hindi naman ganoon ka-tigas ang puso ni Angie na hayaan na lamang pagala-gala o tumira sa lansangan ang dayuhang ito na hindi man lang naalala ang katauhan.
"What's the catch? Of course you will not stay here for free, not to mention I'm badly needing money to save this place. And thanks to you, because of this sprain I might not be able to pay the debt."
"I'm so sorry for everything. I promise to help you anything. House hold chores, maintenance etc. All I need is a place to stay and food to eat," praktikal niyang sabi. Mukha namang nagsisisi talaga si Liam.
"You promise to do anything?" gustong makisiguro ni Angie.
"I promise," he even raises his hand.
Angie projects an evil smile.
"Fine. But once you complain, I'll kick you out."
"Deal. I'm not gonna be here for long because the police are starting to look for hotel."
"Alright. First thing first, I'll call you 'White Potato' from now on," tukso ni Angie dito.
"What! Can't you give me a decent name?" tutol ni Liam.
"Are you complaining?"
"No, not at all," wala siyang pagpipilian, otherwise magiging palaboy siya.
"Good. Now give me that crutch. We have so much to do inside."
- Writer
