1st Lessons:
Stages of Grief
Paris’ POV
“You’ve got to help me, Miss Paris!” she kneeled in front of my desk.
“Mrs Salazar, please stand up. I’ll help you, okay? You don’t have to kneel.” I smiled at her.
“Thank you very much, Miss Paris! You’re such an angel!”“It’s my job to help everyone who needs my help in terms of love problems. So, Mrs Salazar, what your problem?”“My husband’s cheating on me.” Oh. Same case again?“Again? Man, he’s not changing after all, Mrs Salazar.”“What should I do, Miss Paris?”“I think it’s the best if you talk to him first,” “I’ve already done that but he’s still seeing his woman.” “Then go to the court! Sue him! You can sue him for bigamy.” “But I love him, Miss Paris.” Here we go again. The same alibi she’s using.
“But his hurting you. Stop being a martyr, Mrs Salazar.” “Help me, Miss Paris.” “I can’t help you with that sue-thingy. But a lawyer can help you.” Hayyy… I’m tired of helping you, Mrs Salazar with the same case.
“You think?” “That’s what they’re good at.” I smiled.
*TEET-TEET* Saved by the bell!!! WOOOOH!
“Mrs Salazar, our session time is over. I hope that I had helped you again.” “But, I can pay for extension in our session!” “Remember, one-hour policy.” I smiled.
“But--” “No but’s, Mrs Salazar. Marami pang nakapila sa labas.” “Okay. By the way, thank you, Miss Paris.” “Welcome.”She left the room, at last! She’s one of the suki of Paris’ Love House. And she’s one of the many persistent costumers.
“Good Afternoon.” A guy, huh? Wala pa kayang 12 noon! Morning pa lang no!
“Have a seat.” He sat on his chair and remained silent. Heller?! Sayang ang babayaran niya kung titiga niya lang yung sahig?!
“How may I help you?” “This is a bunch of bull.” “Excuse me?” “I mean, this whole ‘Paris’ Love House’. The people who’s going and consulting you are bunch of idiots.” “What?” “You’re just wasting your time.” “You know what, Mr…?” “Francis McMilan. France for short. And you are?” “Paris. Walang ng short-short. As I was saying, France, hindi ko sila pinipilit na pumunta dito para magpa-consulta ng love problems nila, kusa silang pumunta dito, okay? It’s not as if I’m pointing a gun on their heads and telling them to come here. At kung nandito ka pa sirain ang mood ko para sa iba pang bibigyan ko nang advice eh pwede ka nang umalis dahil maluwag ang pintuan na yan at kung hindi pa sapat sa iyo yun ay maluwag din ang mga bintana at huwag ka na ring magbayad sa Cashier dahil wala naman akong naitulong sa’yo.”I opened my drawer on my desk, and took a book and then I read it. But I saw through my peripheral vision that he’s still here and he’s staring at me.
“Actually, I have a problem.” I didn’t look up. Manigas siya dyan.
“Can you help me, Paris?” I looked up.
“What’s your problem, France.” “The love of my life died yesterday.” “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” “What should I do to stop myself from hurting?” “Hindi kita matutulungan sa case na yan, France. It’s impossible not to get hurt. You love her, right? You’re not loving if you’re not hurting.” “That’s the irony of love, huh?” “You’re right about that, France.” “But, can I learn how to forget her?” “Yes you can.” “How is that?” “You know the stages of grief?” “Hindi, ano ba yun?” “Yun ang mga pagdadaanan mo, France.” “Ano-ano naman yung mga yun?” “First stage, Numbness and Denial.” “What about it?” “It the first reaction to a loss, numbness or shock can help cushion the blow and can help you get through the initial mourning rituals with the family and the funeral. This stage can last a few hours, days, or even a few weeks. Baka napagdaanan mo na itong stage na ito kahapon or ngayon.” “Oo, kahapon. How about the second one?” “Yearning and Anger. The numbness wears off, and the painful realization of the loss hits full-force; you will yearn deeply for your lost loved one. You may be angry and have regrets of things left unsaid or dreams never realized.” “Parang nasa stage 2 na ata ako ngayon eh.” He smiled, a fake one, a bitter smile. And tears are starting to fall. Kinuha ko yung tissue rack at inabot sa kanya.
“Ano to?” “Tissue. Naiiyak ka na eh. Don’t worry. There’s no such thing as ‘judging’ in this room. Sa ating dalawa lang to,” I smiled at him. Tinanggap niya naman yung tissue rack ko.
“So, the third one?” “Emotional Despair, Sadness and Withdrawal.” “Ano naman yang mga yan?” “The storm of intense emotions of the second stage gives way to a period of heavy sadness, silence and withdrawal from family and friends.” “The fourth?” “Reorganization. Reorganization and the beginning of positive emotions- Over time, the sadness stage will start to lessen, and you will begin to see a lightening of your emotions. You will start to perceive your life in a more positive light, although bouts of grief and sadness will persist, probably for the rest of your life. France, in a matter of time, dadating ka rin sa stage na ito.” “Sana nga agad-agaran.” “Hindi naman yun parang outing lang na over night lang ang papalipasin mo at naka move on ka na. Syempre, it’s a long process.” “The fifth?” “Letting go and Moving on. The final phase of this model is to let go of your need for the lost loved one and to move on with your life. Sadness will lessen greatly, and new interests will gradually occupy your thoughts more and more, crowding out the misery and desolation. The final stage is when you "pull your life back together".” “Kelan naman kaya mangyayari yun?” “Some day. Kapag accepted mo na lahat nang nangyari.” *TEET-TEET* “As much as I want to continue this session, hindi pwede. One-hour policy eh.” “Okay lang yun.” “I hope I had helped you.” “You helped a lot. Pasensya ka na pala kanina sa sinabi ko.” “Ayos lang yun sa akin.” “Salamat ulit, Paris. I hope we can be friends.” “Sure thing, France.” He left the room. Sakto 12nn. Lunch Break na.
I just realized na sobrang magkalapit ang name namin. Paris, France? Parang lugar lang.
Ako nga pala si Paris Julian. Certified Love Guru. I’m 18 years old and legal. Nga pala, wala akong boyfriend. Anak lang meron.
