Never did I expect that the next time I will see her would be in an ICU bed at the hospital. My last memory of Divine was that she was carrying her days old baby in front of our terrace. Divine, Vangie and I were housemates not more than a year ago. We were actually next door neighbors and became good friends. We considered each other's family as our own.
During the dead hours of the day, we would talk about everything under the sun - from our "kikay" stuff to our love stories. Just like me, she was one impulsive lover. She and Ken met at the hotel where she works as a front desk attendant in the island of Boracay. They eventually fell in love and that bore them a baby boy, Franz. Plus, she is no stranger to me because she and my cousins in Kalibo were schoolmates.
Vangie left her door empty first. That left me and Divine, and the visits of our family members, together. We became a bit closer. There are times that I would look after her baby and her sister when she had to go to a nearby store. It didn't last that long, though. Weeks after giving birth, they had to go home to Nabas, Aklan. I was able to go their place before, but that was when we visited our parish priest's foster family and we haven't known each other then. Aklan is one familiar province because we have families there also. I even told her that when I go to Boracay, I would try my best to drop by.
I went to Boracay. I passed by Nabas. I thought of Divine and her family. But I wasn't able to drop by because I was in an outing with the whole company. I thought, some other time, maybe. Then, the rest of my thoughts about this friend, who looked up to me and considered me her "ate", were set aside. I knew that she and her baby is going to be well and safe in the care of her family, and in their own place.
This morning didn't go very well. The cold from the night's rain awakened me earlier than usual. I was planning to go back to my apartment early because in the afternoon, we have Angela's birthday party to attend to. I had to catch some sleep, for after the party I will be working again. In short, I am faced with a cold, manic Monday. I have just finished reading good morning wishes from friends and having my traditonal coffee and cigarette breakfast with my mom dowstairs when my phone rang again. It was a text message from Vangie saying that Divine is in coma in a nearby hospital. I had my things packed, so I immediately changed and met Vangie at the terminal.
We had a lot of catching up with each other's lives when we were on the jeepney. I apologized for the many invitations that I declined because I was so busy with work. I missed my goddaughter's birthday, and their fiesta, too.
Yet, we never imagined what awaits us in the hospital. When we got there, information had trouble locating Divine, so we had to double check it with the admitting section. When we finally got to the Medical Intensive Care Unit, we were confronted by Divine's fragile body all connected to tubes and wirings. We held each of her hand and shed our tears, for we cannot bear seeing her like this. We would imagine her baby waiting for her to come home and tells her this over and over, hoping that the thought of her son would bring her back, or even merit response.
She never responded anymore. But we could see the heartbeat monitor rise. Divine could hear us. How we wish we could hear her, too.
Ken arrived in the afternoon and we saw each other at the hospital at night when I dropped by after Angela's party. He had no more tears left to cry. I had to go to the office because I had to work. When I got to work, I had Ken and Vangie calling, saying that the family has decided. After the last drop of the intravenous medication is done, they will take the life support system. That would be anytime as I write now.
To you, my dear Divine:
Rest well, in the arms of the Maker. There will be no more pain for you, only hapiness and eternal peace. You have left us your hopes and your dreams and you have left us, Franz. You have lived fully, for you have loved truly.
We will miss you, friend. I just wished we could have seen each again other in a happier situation - like an afternoon coffee at Vangie's place or mine, with Via and Franz playing along. Who knows? By that time, I would already have my little "me" chasing them.
You are lucky, because now you are safe. You are becoming true to your name. I still have a lot to go through. Unlike you, I will still experience the hostility of the world and break my heart a hundred more times.
Watch over us.
See you later.
