Where I Belong

I registered 38.5 degree Celsius without any sign and symptom of an infection. I’m sure it was neither bacterial nor viral, and yes, I knew at once the best diagnosis and treatment.

***

It was a very cold morning. The stubborn clouds would not budge to the morning sun so the serene mist hovered still among the dewy grass and bushes of the forsaken garden. As if I was a ghost, I walked towards the many people gathering in front of her. She, who eternally held the torch of our calling, was also disconsolate, as if the chill of the morning stripped her of her splendid beauty. Everything was overcast.

But naturally, the human spirit can conquer all of the gloom of that morning. Handshakes, friendly hugs and cheery smiles lightened up the atmosphere in a spilt of an instant. Everything turned bright as if night turned day in seconds. In the face of all darkness, true indeed, the human soul is light to everyone.

Then slowly, as if on cue, I became animated like I usually am. Greeting old friends and new friends alike, I was practically busy, no longer the silent spirit when I entered the scene. I was here and there, teasing him or her, patting his or her back and flashing the best smile I could muster. And I wasn’t alone. Everybody was as full of life as I was. The shadow that I thought was there a while ago vanished and cheerfulness of amazing levels replaced the morning mist.

Then, voices started springing from everywhere, jumbling and mixing into a chaotic array. The noise that began pounding and bouncing were enough to drown any soul who would fervently listen. And I was there, caught in midair amongst all the life and energy. I was busy, and then I was lost. I grew tired so I tried to rest and listen. But all I heard was the incoherent music of the camaraderie around me. I tried to shout but I couldn’t or perhaps nobody could hear me. I had to cling to someone but I slipped and fell. Slumped in floor covered with ancient dust, I was overwhelmed with all the excitement. Then I had no choice but simply to talk to someone who would surely listen.

I prayed.

Sa gitna po ng ulan, alam kong di Ninyo ako pababayaan.
Sa gitna po ng bagyo, ako po’y Inyong aalagaan.


Ngunit po, ngayon, hindi lang po ako sana
Ang Inyo pong kupkupin
Marami po samin ang tila nawawala
Sa gitna ng lahat ng suliranin.


Sa dami po ng mga pagbabago
Sana po’y manatili
Ang aming pagkakaibigan
Ang aming pagmamahalan


Ano man po ang mangyari
Alam ko pong may tahanang mauuwian
Sa gitna ng ulan at bagyo
Kami’y may mauuwian.

I know I’m really not lost. I know where I belong. Amidst all the chaos, I know where I can find my peace. I trust they’re always there as I promise I’m always here for them. Things change indeed but certain things will forever remain.

So, I stood up once again and found myself still on the same spot, in the middle of different people, some with familiar smiles, greeting, hugging, and cheering up the day. In front of us, she was still up there, less gloomy this time and ready to be hailed once more as the symbol of our noble quest. The clouds started to part and the mighty sun lit up that everlasting torch.

The day began.

***

My temperature was still spiking despite a tablet paracetamol. Actually, fevers don’t occur solely because of an infection. Body temperature is a function of the hypothalamus and you know what goes up there. Stress and pure emotions can raise one’s thermostat significantly. So, my treatment was simple. And it went perfectly well.