love story from MICU14

I was asleep at the waiting area at the ICU hallway in Makati Med on Monday night. There can only be one visitor per ICU room so since my cousin traveled all the way from Bulacan to be with Mama, I let her take care of Mama for the night while I stay out in case she needs my help. For some freaking reason, Makati Med decided to have the airconditioning unit turned on at full blast that night. I was freezing cold, I couldn't stop my eyes from dropping as I felt my entire body go on hibernate-mode.
A few hours later, I drowsily opened my eyes and scurrying the place, I saw the old man seated at the far end of the same bench I was seated on. Hmmmm... I've seen this man since Day 1 and he already had the same shirt on. I wonder what is ailing his patient.
As I was stretching at my corner, he rosed from his own sleep and looked at me. I smiled at him politely and went on to my stretching. Then he spoke and started a conversation...
I learned that it was his wife at MICU14, the next door room from Mama. He went on to tell the story of how they came about in Makati Med. He said that his wife was initially confined in the hospital on March 12. But they went out on March 14 because the following day, on the 15th, they are getting married. Again. To celebrate their golden anniversary. Wow, I said. That's so sweet. But on the 16th, they had to go back to Makati med for a series of dialysis. I honestly forgot what exactly was the problem with his wife, though I think it has something to do with the heart too.
Anyway, he went on to continue his story saying on the 25th, his wife was to be discharged from the hospital however, her doctors wanted to change the location where the dialysis is being done (from her sides up to her shoulders). I didn't know why is that and I didn't asked. I just let the old man tell his story as he reminisce on the recent events.
Sadly, that same day that his wife was to be discharged, she had a heart attack and was immediately confined in the ICU. Since then she hasn't regained consciousness and stayed dreamless in her comatose state.
I was both sad and happy with that fact. Sad that the old man had to see her wife in that state and happy that my own mom regained consciousness from a coma in just a matter of hours.
Anyway, the old man just went on to tell more of his story, their family life, their children. I listened intently as I hear the love in every word he utters. How deeply he cares for his wife. Towards the end of his story he told me that he doesn't want to go home to Antipolo, even to change clothes nor eat. His grandchildren goes to the hospital to bring him food. He said he wanted to stay at his wife's side because he wants to be there when she finally opens her eyes. His words were "Gusto ko pag gising nya nasa tabi nya ako para mapatunayan kong mahal ko sya."
Awwwww. Hearing those words from a 72 year old man, married for 50 years and having had two wedding ceremony to the same woman, I was just amazed that such a love exists. I got goosebumbs as I told him "Wow naman po..."
I also told him a bit of mama's condition and he reassured me saying just to keep on praying. Funny how the relatives of the patients in the ICU ward will share stories of their patients and draw strength from each other :)
After that conversation, whenever I'd see him walking really slow with his pillow as he goes to his wife and go back to the waiting area where he eats his food, we'd acknowlege each other with a nod and an encouraging smile. On Wednesday morning, I was in Mama's ICU room. I saw him pass by through the glass doors and he even waved at me. The following morning, I saw him walking and somehow I sensed that he looked really sad.
A few hours later, my brother told me "Namatay na yun pasyente sa 14..." I was overcome with sadness as I realized that the old man will never see his wife's smile again.
Stories like this makes me want to weep with sadness. And to think that the old man was so looking forward to seeing his wife open her eyes so he can still "prove his love" for her. I mean after two wedding ceremonies, you'd think your wife is 100% sure that you are faithfully inlove with her.
What a love story. Though with a sad ending, I want a love story like that. To be able to grow old together with one man. To be able to celebrate fifty years of togetherness. To be loved by a man who's main concern is to prove his love for his wife...
Awwwww...