CHAPTER THREE (제3장)

Post-Viral Myocarditis? What in the world IS that?!

”Okay, Kendra. The walls of your heart are inflamed, possibly due to the severity and frequency of the past cases of tonsilitis. Wag kang mag-alala, pwedeng magamot yan with medications but you also have to help yourself. Iwas ka na muna sa caffeine and sa fatty foods. Pwede ka namang kumain ng sweets at carbohydrates but in moderation. Sa exercise naman, pwede basta wag naman yung masyadong nakakapagod. Alam mo naman ang limit ng katawan mo. Yung sa emotions mo naman, keep it at bay. Alam kong ayaw mong mag-cause ng panic.”

All I could do was nod. My brain couldn’t process the thought that I’m actually sick. How did that even happen? I went home with a bunch of medicines and a confused mind.

“Oh wag mong kakalimutan yung mga gamot mo ha?”

“Opo.”

I felt so down, and I still have a script and a choreography to memorize, and an upcoming exam in a couple of weeks from now. Not to mention, the pageant. I haven’t even started with the preparations for that. -_-

“Oh Kendra, ano palang balak mo dun sa pageant mo? Nakapag-usap na ba kayo ng ninong mo?”

“Ah. Hindi pa po. Tawagan ko na lang po siya mamaya.”

Later that night I talked to my ninong. He already has a dress for the pageant and we already talked about the make-up and my talent and my sports attire. Everything was set for the pageant. I’ll be performing a short role play for the talent portion. Golf will be my feature sport, and he’ll lend me one of the golf clubs and a visor for that. Haaay. Hindi ko alam kung anong ununahin ko ngayon..

-- NEXT DAY --

“Oh bakit ganyan itsura mo? ‘DI ba may rehearsal kayo sa theater at sa pageant mamaya?”

“Mmm hmm. Excused ako the whole day T^T Malapit pa man din ang exams.”

“Sus! Para saan at nandito ako? HAHAHA kayang kaya mo yan! Ikaw pa!”

I sighed. My bestie’s right. Well, most of the time she is. I just want to pause time and breathe. I still haven’t told her about my illness….

“Beshie, what if sinabi kong may sakit ako?”

“You mean like flu?”

“Gaga, malamang hindi.” I took a deep breath and sighed.

“I have this thing called Myocarditis. And sobrang daming bawal and nakaka-stress kasi sabi ng doctor bawal akong magkaroon ng outburst of emotions, otherwise magiging trigger yun for me to get breathless or collapse or baka mamatay ako. Jusko. What If nag-crave ako ng ramyun or ng spicy chicken? Or what if uminom ako ng milk tea tapos-”

She stopped and faced me.

“Ang dami mong sinabi, beshie!! Pero naintindihan ko. Well, slight.”

I did it again -_- I have a bad habit of talking fast whenever I’m stressed out or over analyze things.

Amethyst laughed. And I laughed with her. People were looking at us as we walk to the loading area.

“I’m sorry HAHAHA I did it again. Sobrang nag-panic na naman ang kaluluwa ko dahil dun.”

“Understandable! HAHAHA. Pero paano yun? I mean, kailangan active ka sa theater.”

“As long as kaya kong mag-perform, I will. Pero saýo ko lang sinabi ha? Maybe I’ll tell it sa kambal para may nakakaalam din sa theater people.”

As we rode the jeepney going to school, I was remained silent and listened to One Direction, not minding my surroundings. It was a short trip from our neighborhood to our school, and I have no idea why I felt so anxious the moment Amethyst and I stepped foot on the school grounds.

“Ames, kinabahan ako bigla….”

She looked at me with worry. Then, she nudged my shoulder teasingly.

“Kalma ka lang, beshie. Yung puso mo, fragile. Sasamahan naman kita kapag sinabi mo sa kambal eh.”

“Eh…Oo na sige na. Hindi ko kasi alam kung sasabihin ko na rin kay SIr Fred.”

“Gaga, malamang! Yun nga yung bilin ni tita eh!”

“Okay! Okay, chill beshie! Puso mo! HAHAHA”

She smacked my head.

“Aray ha. Mapanakit ka??”

“Baliw ka kasi. Ayusin mo HAHAHA”

And so she went to the classroom, and I headed to our specia room and got started with my day.

“Good morning, ma!”

“Good morning po, ate Kendra!”

I smiled at everyone and immediately changed into my working clothes and started cleaning. After a while, we all gathered for our exercise routines. As we were waiting for Sir Fred to debrief us, I pulled the twins to the corner and spoke to them.

“Okay, so may sasabihin ako sa inyong dalawa. Sa inyo lang muna at tsaka kay sir.”

I trust Tiff and Trix with my life, just as much as I trust Ames. So I decided to tell them about my illness. As if on cue, their worried faces were staring at my soul and I received the same reaction from my mentor when I told him about it. I felt relieved. And just like that, my day continued on, as if I have no trouble at all.

Right after lunch, the pageant committee called me and gave me directions as to where the rehearsals would be held. The auditorium? We must be a lot then.. I said to myself as I walked.

“Kendra! OMG!!”

“Lara, hi!”

“Grabe buti na lang kasama kita dito hahaha!”

“Ikaw talaga, marami naman tayong kakilala na ibang contestant eh. Oh, look! It’s Katie and Aira.”

Lara and I attended the same primary school, and since we’re in a public high school, there are also some former classmates of ours that study here too. As my eyes roam around the auditorium, I notice this one guy whom I thought was SO familiar… Oh! Siya yung palagi naming nakakasabay sa jeepney! Shocks. Yung crush ko kasama ko sa pageant. JUSKO!! >//<

“Hello sophomores! Okay, magtabi kayo ng partners niyo and stand on the stage.”

“Alright, as you all know, you will be presenting various outfits. Starting with you proper school uniform, then to your sports attire and your final attire. Now, for your final attire, ladies, please wear cocktail dresses. Wag na tayong mag-long gown! As for the gentlemen, please wear your suits or kahit yung pinakamatinong colored long sleeve polo ninyo.”

Mrs. Pelaez explained to us everything that we needed. The talent showcase will be held next week, right after the day of the outside performance. Two days after that will be the coronation. Haayy. Ang hectic ng schedule ha. Pwede isa-isa lang??? ><

From: Ames

Beshie, tapos ka na? Punta tayo SM :>

I rolled my eyes when I read my best friend’s message. She really knows when I need to unwind.

To: Ames

Yup! Tara. Nasa may clinic na ako. HIntayin na kita dito. <3

I only waited for another 5 minutes when I saw her walking like a zombie towards me. I laughed at the sight.

“Oh bakit ganyan istura mo? Hahahaha!”

“Ang sama mo rin no? Ehhh kasi namaaaan.. Si Maám Garciaaaaa”

“Let me guess. Pinaaga niya yung submission for the exhibit?”

She scowled and nodded. I chuckled and put my arm around her.

“HAAY BUHAY! Hahahaha tara na nga! Kain na lang tayo.”

We both knew we were in difficult situations right now, so we decided to clear our minds and just enjoy life. As we were walking to the mall, she asked me a question that made me question myself.

“Beshie, sa tingin mo, may makakatiis na lalaki sa ugali ko?”

“Oo naman! Madali kang mahalin, sobra. Yes, may mga traits ka na medyo mahirap I-handle, but with the right person, it will just be a piece of cake.”

“Hmm.. eh ikaw? You keep on having dates with guys. Hindi ka pa ba napapagod?”

I laughed.

“Actually hindi ko alam. I’m enjoying too much. I like spending time with men. Ang weird pakinggan but it’s true. I can’t seem to find what I’ve been looking for talaga. And besides, it’s not as if I’m sleeping with all of them. In tact pa ako no.”

I have this reputation at school. Higher years think of me as a “playgirl” because I’m mostly seen with boys. At first, I was hurt. But as I realize that I’m not doing anything wrong, I know I’m not breaking relationships or egos, I shrugged it off. Life’s too short for me to give a damn about their rumors.

“TOSH? Sbarro?”

“Sbarro naman! Hahahaha gusto ko yung malaking pizza eh.”

While we were waiting for our food, I received a call from an unknown number.

*Calling…. +63915----*

“Hello?”

“Hello, Kendra?”

And my eyes lit up and my heart shot fireworks, as if it was the fourth of July.