Of all the things

Chapter Fourteen

I think I'm having a stroke 

Theo's

I AM HAVING A STROKE.

I was standing in front of Hailey and that's the first thing that came to my mind right after hearing what she had to say to me. Yes, I am having a stroke and this is me hallucinating. Pagkatapos ng hallucination na ito, I will find myself in my bed, dying. Yes, that's the only reason, why would I hear Hailey ask me if I want to have sex with her kung hindi ako inaatake sa puso? That's the only explanation for this.

"Theo?" Hailey's voice kicked in again. Kailan ba matatapos ang hallucination ko? Nagbabasa lang naman ako ng Oblicon sa living area kanina. Pampatulog ko ang Oblicon, kahit na naipasa ko na siya noon, iba ang dating ng Oblicon sa akin. It was the first ever book my father gifted me as a young adult. Oblicon calms my nerves. But all the calmness went away after hearing what she had to say – and Hailey will never do that, or even say that, the only real explanation s that I am having a stroke right now.

"Call 911." I said breathlessly. Napuno naman ng pag-aalala ang mukha ni Hailey. Humawak siya sa bandang dibdib ko. I felt the warmth of her hand.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick? Anong masakit?"

"I'm having a stroke." I told her. Napahawak na rin ako sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa dibdib ko. Nanlalaki ang mga mat ani Hailey. "Please, I don't want to die." Sabi ko pa sa kanya. Inalalayan naman ako ni Hailey hanggang sa makarating kami sa living area ko. I was wearing may casual lounge wear. Hailey was making sure that I look fine – for what – I don't know. Sinuotan niya pa akong tsinelas, tapos ay kinuha niya ang susi ng Audi ko. Muli niya akong inalalayan.

Maayos naman ang paghinga ko pero naniniwala talaga akong na-stroke ako. Nakarating kami ng parking lot. Probably, Hailey will take me to the hospital. I need that. May malapit na ospital rito sa residential building ko. Hailey s a good driver, we'd get there in no time.

"Breathe, Theo, you can do this, please be okay." Pinakikiramdaman ko naman ang sarili ko. Maayos naman ang paghinga ko, hindi naman masakit ang dibdib ko but I am having illusions of grandeur and that is why was so sure that I am having a stroke.

Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting in a hospital bed inside an emergency room. Walang tao sa E.R. kaya nasaman ako ni Hailey sa loob. The doctor did the prelimenaries, he took my blood pressure, blood sugar, he asked me about the last thing I ate, he checked my oxygen count and it s all normal.

"Are you sure?" Hindi ako makapaniwala. Paulit – ulit kong tinatanong iyon. Sure ba siya talaga? Napatingin ako kay Hailey na titig na titig sa akin pero may kunot ang noo. Parang naiinis nga siya.

"Yes, Mr. Calimbao. Everything is normal, pero kung gusto mong makasiguro we can have you blood tested. Mas maigi nang aware ka sa sitwasyon ng katawan mo ngayon palang. I'll tell the nurse to get your blood. It will only take some minutes tapos pwede na nating makita ang results."

"Thank you, doc.," Wika ko na lang.

"You're welcome but Mr. Calimbao, you are not having a stroke. Okay? Walang symptoms." Napapangisi ang doctor at umalis na. Naiwanan kami ni Hailey sa loob ng ER. I looked at her. She seemed so pissed. Nakahalukipkip pa siya.

"Are you that desperate to avoid answering my questions that you had to fake a sickness?!" He hissed at my face.

"I am not feeling well no!" Depensa ko sa aking sarili. Tinaasan lang ako ni Hailey ng kilay.