I’m in so much pain; I couldn’t do anything today.
On Monday night (July 12), I fell and injured my left foot. It’s swollen. But I had to leave Liloan the following day, Tuesday, for my first vaccine shot in Minglanilla. Alvin Pahati assisted me yesterday to be in the priority lane so I was in and out of the vaccination site in less than an hour. Every step was painful yesterday and still is today. My left foot is still swollen. I have body malaise; I feel like I was hit by a bus.
I have so many papers to write, so many stories to finish. I usually work nonstop but today, and I guess in the coming days, I have to slow down. I’ve been grumpy all day. Ate a little, my body temperature is rising. I’m not myself.
Around 7:08 p.m.,Jepjep, my friend, Verge Gamotan‘s brother, called me to say: “Hi Ate. Wa naka anhi balay. Suko ka?” It means: “Older sister, you haven’t visited me here in our house. Are you angry?”
Jepjep, now 32 years old, was born with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. He’s a person with Down Syndrome and one of my favorite special persons apart from Jacob and Kalvin.
Jepjep and I have a connection. He knows when I am sick. Somehow, he knows. I don’t know why. He showed off the toy gun that Kuya Verge bought for him. He asked me if Kuya Verge, who’s working in Singapore, sent me money too because he (Jepjep) has a lot of money. He waved several 20-peso bills and laughed.
I only met Jepjep once in person. In 2018, I think, when Mama Sweetie, Verge and Jepjep’s mother, was still alive. In that meeting, he asked me if he could add me on Facebook. I did. We’ve been FB friends since then. That same day, he gave me a massage and asked for P10. He knows about my back problems. I retreat to their home in times when life is overwhelming. It has been that way since college.
Verge and I have been friends for 17 years or so. I haven’t visited their home in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City for a while but somehow he still remembers me and calls quite often.
As in every call with Jepjep, there was so much laughter. Jepjep is a Jeffrey too so when I introduced my youngest son, Jeffrey Jr. (JJ), to him, he was quick to say: “Gamay Jeffrey” (a small Jeffrey). He refers to himself as Cardo (Dalisay), the police officer that actor Coco Martin plays in the series, Ang Probinsyano.
The call ended with: “Ay lab yo Ate.”
I’m still in pain but oh how Jepjep made my day today.
He reminded me of the vest I still need to give him. A visit is in order, I guess.
I am sure I’ll get a call tomorrow.
Please do, Jep. Please call.
