XI

"Are you still fine?" Malumanay kong tinanong nang makababa kami sa sasakyan.

Nandito parin kami sa gitna ng napakalawak na kalsadang walang dumadaan kundi agus ng malalamig na hangin lang.

Dumudoble na nga ang panginginig ng katawan ko tuwing sinasapak ako ng mga 'preskong-preskong' hangi-

"Yes I'm perfectly fine. Anyways,thank you. I haven't been able to see this sight since I last had a glimpse of it when I was rushed to the hospital."

"When was that?"

Dahan-dahan munang sumandal siya sa sasakyan bago tumingala sa taas. "When I was 23."

Napatingin ako ng bigla sa kanya. "Are you sure? Th-that was quite long."

"There's no such thing as too long for me. Every day, weeks, months, and even years have an equal length for me. Long and dull."

"We-well, if that's what you say. By the way, I was wondering, when will you confide the truth to your father? I'm sorry if it seemed too personal but you know, as your caregive