What It Feels Like To Run Out Of Air

* This essay was one of my Significant Human Experiences (SHEs) in English IV. Originally entitled “Faint”.


Ever since I was young, I was so skinny and unhealthy. People would always tell me that I looked like a stick. Of course, it followed that I was underweight. But that’s not all! I was hospitalized during my elementary years because of a variety of diseases in the lungs and digestive track. Praise God… for I’m still alive!

My father then told me that even before, when I was still an infant, I have a weak immune system. That’s is why that I’m prone to illnesses. Mom would always complain to me that I’m so untidy and filthy (when I was in Grade II), and that is why I got sick and hospitalized.

After the hospitalization, I realized that “Health is Wealth” and “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. Talk about recalling moral values in grade school…

Anyways, I have learned that I have to be careful because my health is not that strong. I should maintain a healthy and clean lifestyle. I should be hygienic, food-conscious, and neat at all times.

Then here came the day… that was in the 28th of June, 2006. And here’s the story:

After classes, my friends and I were surfing in the internet café. I kept telling myself, “Why am I so happy today? I’m kind of overjoyed about something!”. I was in a good mood. It’s a good thing since I was used to unnecessarily worrying about things. So, we went home via Molave street to Ayala. There, we talked and talked. Even if it was a rainy day, I was super happy.

So bad that we had to part our ways. Good thing was that one of my friends was coming with me because we always ride the same jeep. Unfortunately, the line in the Ayala terminal was so long that we had to wait for a couple of minutes. When we were already halfway along the line, I started to inhale a lot of smoke coming from the vehicles. Too bad that I was in the middle of a crowd of passengers. Suddenly, I felt that my system couldn’t take the smoke. My heart was pumping ice through my veins, figuratively! I then realized that there was no fresh air to breathe for. So I went out of the line to find at least some fresh air. And then my legs were starting to give way beneath. I tried to maintain my stance, but it was hopeless. So I leaned on my friend’s shoulder. When we were on the jeep, at last, I collapsed. But I still managed to get up for a while. Instead, I slept on my friend’s lap.

She decided to take me home because I was impossible. I couldn’t walk or see my surroundings clearly. We rode a tricycle on the way home. Then when I got home with my friend, my father carried me to the sofa. I laid there helpless, cold and unable to think clearly.

It was a very terrifying but quick experience. For the first time, I experienced the feeling of what it feels like to run out of air. At the same time, I was reminded that I have a weak immune system.

For me, that was one heck of an experience. I never thought that I would suddenly “faint” even if I was in a good mood. Because of all the pressures in school, my health was neglected. Nah, it’s always been a compromise for me. Well, I’ve learned my lesson! Thanks for that…