Unexpected

Up to now, I'm still juggling my mind as to what have happened before that unfaithful day. It was supposed to be a happy get together, chit chats and catching up about about each other, and saying good bye to our senior nurse who is leaving for good due to her delicate pregnancy.

You suddenly walked out of the restaurant, without saying anything. We followed you, asked you what's the problem, but what you said puzzled us more. You didn't even drank the bottle of water I bought for you at the nearby store.

Two days after that day, I saw you, and I even talked to you. You seem fine, as if nothing happened. I don't want to ask about you about what happened two days ago because I want you to share it to us willingly, but you said nothing.

After that, I was surprised when I heard that you went to the Emergency room, and had sick leave. You never go to work after that. I asked our co-staff what happened to you, and become even more surprised with her answers, although she gives me a hanging information, as puzzling as you have become. She even asked me to keep anything I know confidential, which I answered, how would I keep something confidential if I don't know anything in the first place?

I kept mum when people asked me about what happened to you. And the irony is, I am the one hearing what happened to you. I was asked to keep silent, but the people around me were never silent. I heard from other people different stories, different opinions, and I can't help myself but worry about you.

I want to visit you in your apartment, but I had a hectic work schedule. I was not able to do anything, and I am sorry for that.

One day, I received a message from one of our co-staff to attend your "Maassalama" party (despidida party) on the day of your flight home. And I was like, "whaaatt?!?" Why is it so sudden? In a week or so, after your sick leave, you're already leaving? And not just for a vacation, but for good. 

A SMALL GATHERING, with your NFM family who loves you to bits.

I came from night shift during your maassalama party, and still going for night shift on that day but I don't mind. I don't mind If I don't have enough sleep and enough energy for the next 12-hour shift as long as I will be able to say good bye to you and be with you even for a short while.

When I came to that small party, I immediately looked for you, and there you were, sitting on the sofa, with eyes puffy and small from crying, but still laughing and smiling with everyone in the room. You even managed to have a "wacky" pose with us in this picture.

When we gave you our gift as a small souvenir, I have seen gratitude in your face. As you open the gift, your eyes became misty. You had a small speech, thanking us for the friendship, for the support, for the experiences you had with us. You were crying. 

When are we going to personally see that genuine smile again?

You will always be the soft-spoken, shy, and timid ate Tin I have known. I will not say good bye, but I am wishing you all the luck. I hope we will hear from you soon. We will miss you. Thanks for all the happy and sad memories we had.

God bless you always.