Near Death Experience

Not so long ago, nag-inuman kami sa bahay. Post birthday celebration ng aking younger brother. Bumaha ng alak. Abot hanggang lower lip. Just a thought.

Apat na litro ng not so friendly emperador light ang salarin. Nilamon at sinira ng ispirito ng alak ang matino naming pag-iisip. I should have known. Akala ko, normal pa ang bayaw ko nang gawin niyang sabaw sa kanin ang empi light like a sizzling hot bulalo soup. Nagkamali ako. Hudyat pala ito ng isang incoming delubyo. (Slam book entry. Question: What is your worst experience? Answer: This is it.)

Exempted sa inuman ang kapatid ko dahil pumasok siya sa trabaho. Lunes noon. Walang bagyo pero conducive para mag shoshol (shot shot lang). Kasama namin ang girlfriend niya playing the role of “Tanggera, Ang Babaeng Tanggero.” Noon ko lang siya naka-bonding ng ganon ka-intense. I thought it was just okay. Hindi ko na-sense na meron siyang premonition that something bad is going to happen. Tinamaan siya ng selfishness. Kinimchiu niya ang kanyang feelings.

Dalawang litro pa ng beer pangbanlaw ang bumida nang dumating ang kapatid ko. Tie kami sa pula ng pisngi pero lamang siya sa pagka-groge. Hindi sila nag-usap ng kanyang girlfriend. Mata sa mata lang ang ginamit nilang method of contact.

Nag-excuse siya sa session table at nag-prepare ng meal for younger brother. Umakyat sa kwarto at naghanda ng putahe. Now, premonition has materialized. May lumanding (root word- landing, as in parang spaceship na bumaba galing langit) na plato full of rice and spicy pork sisig galing sa second floor. Nag-shower ng blessings. And with all the screaming and stuff, na-arouse ang attention ko.

I arrived on the scene where a raving girlfriend is about to smash a two feet long wood-framed antique edgy mirror to my brother. Not a good scene to uphold. Inagaw ko ang salamin and tried to cease her. Malakas ang tama niya. Para siyang may sanib ni Hulk Hogan. Nag-struggle ako and so was her. It was wrong but it was the only thing to do at the moment. Advocate ako ng anti-violence.

My intention to calm her down doesn’t seem to please my brother. Feeling niya sinasaktan ko ang girlfriend niya. Though in the real sense, yes. Masakit ang hawak ko sa mga braso niya. Mas powerful. So, inawat niya ako using – headlock. Then, blackout. Pinatay ako ng utol ko.

Nagising ako, with the joy out of something happened to me the first time. At the back of my mind, gusto kong magbunyi for another achievement. Namaga ng very very light ang adam’s apple ko. Kung nakakita lang ako ng liwanag, iisipin kong matino akong nilalang at sa langit ako napadpad. But no, God has given me more time to prove my worth. Muling nabuhay ang katawang lupa ko at uminom ako ng gaviscon.

According to my family, my brother is exhibiting behavioral disorder due to alcoholism. His girlfriend is allegedly suffering from physical abuse every time my brother is under the influence of alcohol. I hope they get through it. Hindi pa sila break hanggang ngayon.

This is just one from my list of unhealthy experiences brought about by taking alcohol. We have this issue in the family and not of my brother alone. May mas malala pa akong kuya. This is a serious case and something that should be given attention. Please, huwag po kaming ikondena o gagayahin. Ito po ay pawang mga problema ng pag-iisip na kailangan pong maresolbahan. Give us time. Salamat sa pang-unawa.

It’s always more fun to be sober. Help someone find a cure. Cheers @@ Find Fast: Rehab International.org/alcoholism/