THE UNTAMED LUNA

TAGI'S SICKNESS

I plan to kiss Marvin during our lunch time. My cheeks turn pink just thinking about it.

"What is it, Jezz? You just blushed all over?" he asks, amused.

"Oh, nothing, Mr. Albanzo; I'm just imagining making out with you on your desk."

I tell him slyly to see his reaction. His eyes widened, and he took a big step toward me.

"Miss Urdanzo, that is totally inappropriate. Am I going to have to give you detention?" He said with a very authoritative voice.

"Oh no, Mr. Albanzo, I will be a good student."

I turned and walked to my desk with an extra sway in my hips. When I turned back, I saw him barely holding back. I can tell he is fighting with himself for control.

"That was not very nice, Miss Urdanzo. I think I am going to give you detention after all. Meet me back here after school." He says playfully.

"But I can't; I have to meet my friend at the library for our homework," I said. Then there is a knock on the door. Marvin opens it, sees his brothers, and lets them get inside.

"Are we interrupting anything?" Jade asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Of course not. I can't even touch her."

Marvin says under his breath, They hear him, of course, and laugh.

"Sorry, bro, I know it's not funny. But you must admit it's crazy. I mean, you find your soulmate; she's gorgeous, and you can't even get near her."

Jade says she's laughing.

"Don't look at my friend Jade if you want an A in my class. And no, it isn't fun. It's torture."

"I know; I apologize. I will never, ever look at her again as long as I live."

He says this, looking right at me. Joel smacked him on the back of the head, and I burst out laughing.

"It will be over soon." Joel reminded me.

"Thanks," I replied.

After our lunch, the twins walked with me as we headed to the next class. I am determined to pay attention and get as much out of class as I can.

"So, are you and one of the twins dating?" The wink guy asked. It's sad that I haven't paid enough attention to catching his name.

"No, they are good family friends. They are like brothers to me," I told him.

"Oh, good then. How would you like to go out with me this Saturday?" He asks with hope in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I just need to concentrate on school right now. There is no time for dating. But thank you for asking." I said as kindly as possible.

"Alright, well, if you ever change your mind, let me know," he said.

After the class, I saw two girls happily chatting under the tree. They shared something and talked while one of them held the cellphone.

They looked at it, and it seemed that there was something funny about the topic they talked about. That way, I remember Tagi, my best friend. She is currently studying is Surigao.

I let my hands go down to the deepest part of my bag and checked my cell phone. I'm confused that I got five missed calls from Tagi. So I called her immediately.

"Hello, besh, sorry I didn't pick up your call. I was in class a while ago, and my cellphone was in silent mode," I explained. Suddenly someone talk to me using this number.

"Abby Jezz, is that you?"

I heard a woman's voice from another line. I knew who it was.

"Yes, it's me. How are you, Auntie? Where's Tagi?"

"Alright, Jezz, I actually called you because I'm so worried about Tagi and I don't know where I could ask for help." She explained.

"Why, what happened to her?" I asked.

Auntie Linda explained all the details of what happened to my best friend. According to her, my best friend needs my help. She got sick with an unknown sickness, and she wants to travel to Davao to find a good doctor to check Tagi's condition.

"OK, Auntie, I'm going home now and talking to Mom and Dad; just keep me updated about her, OK?" I said.

It's been almost two months since my family left Surigao City and I just found out from Auntie Linda that my best friend Tagi has been feeling unwell. She didn’t mention it to me at all! Auntie said Tagi misses me a lot, saying she’s “always calling my name.” I miss her too, but I’m left wondering what’s really going on. Why isn’t she being honest about her illness?

Auntie Linda took her to another hospital, and while she’s improving, the pain keeps coming back, which must be so hard for her. So, Auntie decided to take her to a hospital in Davao City, hoping to find a good doctor who can help her out.

Auntie Linda took her to a different hospital. She's getting better, but her pains keep coming back. And it was like torture to her. So she decided to bring her to the Hospital in Davao City, in the hope that she could find a good doctor there.

I know my parents are on a short budget, but I'm just trying if they will find a way to help Tagi.

I explained to them directly all the details for what happened to her, according to what Auntie Linda told me, hoping that they understood Tagi's situation.

"How was she?" Mom asks.

"Auntie Linda didn't give full details of her sickness; she only said that she experienced difficulties breathing."

I notice that Mom is still thinking, and I know it's about me.

"Honey, this is not normal as we think; this is a huge understanding for the family," dad says. He nodded at mom.

"But sweetie, you are in a bad condition too; it would be much worse if you were to stay away from here." She said.

"I know, Mom, but it's all about Tagi. You know how important she was to me. She was my only childhood best friend. And she was like a sister to me."

I said it with much concern.

Seconds past finally, Mom and Dad agreed after an hour of talking. So, I went to visit Tagi in Davao hospital. But before that, they strictly told me that I had to go back to Zamboanga City immediately, because of my condition. Mom, give me some tablets of medicine that I will take while I am far from Marvin.

Mom called Jolina to inform me that I was out of town in the meantime. She also explained to Marvin my decision to be temporarily absent from his class.

At the hospital;

I was sitting next to the bed where Tagi was resting. She was currently sleeping when I arrived.

Auntie Linda hugged me when I got into her room. She tells me what happened to Tagi while she was in a deep sleep and unconscious.

"Mom, Abby Jezz. You're here? " Tagi says. Finally, she woke up in surprise from sleep, and so I hugged her.

"From now on, you have to take care of yourself," I said, mixed with emotions.

"Me, why? Mom, what did the doctor say? Am I going to die?" Tagi asks.

"No! Sweetie, I've called him already. He is on his way to check your condition."

Auntie Linda says: Then suddenly someone knocks on the door, and a man comes in. I guess he was the doctor. He bowed his head and greeted us.

"Hello, Miss Albaya, I have already checked your medical records, but there's just a minor problem with your health. Nothing to worry about." The doctor says.

Later on, he was about to turn his back to leave the room where Tagi was confined, but I accidentally bumped into him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Doc." I said it two times. I was shocked and ashamed of what happened. He looks at me with curiosity in his eyes.

"May I talk to you... " He said that and pointed at me.

"Oh! Abby Jezz, that's my name," I said. While Aunti Linda stands behind her daughter.

"Okay, Abby Jezz, I want to talk with you and Madam Linda in private. Meet me at the rooftop" he said.

Why do we need to talk on the rooftop? Does a doctor have no space, like a small office, to talk in this hospital? I asked myself.

Auntie Linda and I went to the roof top. After Tagi finishes her food, she goes to sleep again for a rest. We looked at each other when we saw the doctor standing in the distance.

"Ahh... Hello, Doc, we're here as you said."

Auntie Linda nodded and spoke with nervousness in her voice. I was also worried about what was going on for Tagi's health.

"I have been a doctor in this city for a long time. But now, I am meeting my special patient."

He said. What does he mean? I ask myself.

"Linda, can you tell if I am right?"

The doctor said. I looked at Auntie Linda's face. It was obvious that something was bothering her, the things made her look sad.