The Tie that Binds Us All

Imagine being roused to sleep by your kasambahay at 12am in the morning with a worried look on her face. She got this weird phone call minutes earlier asking her if this certain person lives at our house-- that person being my brother. Just when I was about to get up and call my dad, a very persistent doorbell was heard resounding in the silence of our house. Clad in my flimsiest 'boldstar kung boldstar' nighties, I opened the screen door and found myself being flashed with a flashlight by two policemen.

Police: Dito po ba nakatira si (name of my kuya)?
Anna Banana: Bakit po?
Police: Anjan ba si (name of my father)?
Anna Banana: Bakit nga po? ano po ba ang nangyari?
Police: Kaano ano ka ba ni (Name of Kuya)?
Anna Banana: Sister nya ako.
(one police officer whispers to another to ask if he can tell the news to me)
Police: pakitawag na lang ang papa mo.

With blood rushing to my head and my heart beat pumping like I have just jogged for an hour, I opened the door to my parents' room and called out to my father in the dark.

Immediately, he got up and went out of the house to talk to the police officers. Rattled as hell and not having a single clue as to what was happening, I walked back and forth our kitchen and wait until my father entered. Seconds later, he and my mom were dressed and were ready to take off. I asked what happened and they told me that my brother was rushed to the emergency room because he was held up and shot in a dark street only 10 minutes away from our house.

I felt my heart stopped for a few seconds before it started racing again. I can feel my blood drain and my hands get clammy and cold. He was just sleeping a while ago, i said to myself. How could this thing happen? I do not live near a slum area, our place is composed of little subdivision and i've been living there since i can remember (even going home at the wee hours of the morning) but nothing like this ever happened to anyone I know.

when my parents were about to leave the house to go to the hospital where my brother was brought, another sequence of doorbell was heard. Thinking that the police officers were asking for some 'lagay', my dad got some cash from his wallet and went out. Apparently, they just asked if we have a car to go there because if there is none, they can drive my parents there. Aaaaah, my faith in the police was restored.

According to the initial update we got, my brother was on his way to the office when he was held up by an unknown person who got his bag, cellphone and wallet, and was left lying on the street. Fortunately, a police car was making some rounds at that area and saw my brother. Instead of apprehending the criminals, they immediately rushed my brother to the hospital, a wise decision. Good thing that Kuya puts his company ID in his pocket so the police was able to identify him.

Its heartbreaking to have this kind of incidents happen especially to good people. We seldom see my Kuya since he works in a call center and is staying in a pad with his officemates. He only goes home once a week, sometimes once every two weeks to watch tv, play online games, and sleep. Just last Sunday when MTB visited our house and brought cake and ice cream (the latter given a day before when he also visited), he almost ate the entire cake. I told him, "magtira ka naman para kina mommy!" and he asked where it came from. My lola, who was there during that time told my Kuya to go home often para he would know and meet my suitor.

WIth this once a week arrangement going on for more than a year, we have become complacent that we no longer get worried when he doesnt go home. My brother, being a very reserved and quite person by nature, doesnt share a lot about his life so we know nothing about his friends, his place, his work (except his company and its location) etc. This incident is an eye opener for us to be more involved in each other's lives.

As a sign of my commitment to the family, I didnt report for work for two days because I went to my Kuya's office, made sure that they will be covering for all hospital expenses incurred. I was also with my mom when my brother had his emergency operation because the doctors failed to see the extent of the damage. When they conducted several tests the day after, they found out that the bullet passed through my brother's intestines and damaged his colon and intestines and partly, his liver. There were 6 holes in his intestines that's why they had to take it out to clean it and re-direct the flow of excretions so that my brother will not be poisoned.

I was the only person inside the OR lounge when the attending surgeon called in to inform me of the operation. I was frazzled because I was the bearer of the news and the doctor was a total ass (he was very House M.D.- like). But being as kulit as I am, i was able to get the picture and coherently relay the message to my parents.

The first time we visited him after the operation was excruciating. He had so many apparatus attached to him and sakto that when my dad and I visited (only 2 people are allowed to enter during the 2-hour visiting hours), he was crying due to pain and vomiting bile. I cant help but cry as well as we saw him suffering. It was so difficult and painful for us to see him that way but we had to show strength so that he will be assured that everything will be alright.

Fortunately, my brother seems to be recovering quickly although the doctor informed us that he will stay in the ICU for a couple more weeks to avoid complications. I am immensely grateful to everyone who has shown his/her support and love, especially my relatives who never fail to call us and ask for my Kuya's status. I appreciate also my officemates' concern and my boss's consideration when I had to absent myself for work for 2 days.

This incident has brought my family closer to each other and stronger like never before. We are still hoping for the best. We'll continue to pray that everything will be alright and that justice will be served in due time. I am certain that God loves us very much and I am very fortunate to have a very loving and supportive family. I know that no matter what happens, we'll always stay together. No gunshot, no bad people, no accidents can hurt us because strength of character and faith in God are what my family is all about. ;-)