Hospital Series 1: Paraluman

Chapter 51

I first felt the pain on my butt cheeks running up to my lower abdomen. Followed by the irritating soft sounds of the vitals monitor -- which made me remember everything. Mabilis kong dinilat ang mata only to get blinded by the light. 

 I squinted and looked at my hands hooked to IV. My bed was covered with an unfamiliar green drape. Hinawakan ko ang ulo to remember more. The last memory I have was the blood on my thigh and...oh, and Uno's horrified pale face as he asked me if I was alright. 

Did he bring me here? Sa ER?

That was answered when he entered the drape. Napaawang ang labi niya ng magtama ang mata namin. Ilang sandali bago niya iniwas ang tingin at dahan dahang lumapit. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Uh, okay naman," naiilang kong sabi bago iniwas ang tingin. I peek behind him to desperately look for another doctor. I need to find out kung anong nangyari sa anak ko. "The OB went here earlier," he said.

Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko as I move my gaze back to him. Alam kong halata ang gulat at kaba sa mukha ko when his jaw clenched. My expression was probably enough to confirm everything. 

"Good fetal heart tone," he informed me. "The baby's safe."

I should be relieved. I should be happy. I should calm down. But my stupid heartbeat went faster. My insides churn in fear. Uno casually walk beside me at tinignan ang IV fluid doon. "Babalik siya mamaya but she said we can go home tonight. Papaubos lang 'to," he informed me.

"We?" I stupidly asked. 

Uno looked at me. I can't read his expression but he's far from being happy. "Do you want me to leave you alone here?" He asked.

"I'll call--" sandali akong napaisip. Do I really want to call my friends again? I gulped. Iistorbohin ko na naman sila to something I can do myself. "I''ll be fine," I said instead.

Hindi sumagot si Uno at nanatiling tahimik. Inabot niya ang upuan sa gilid at umupo doon. Napakunot ang noo ko pero hindi niya yun pinansin. Binuksan niya ang ipad niya at tinuon doon ang atensyon. 

"I said, I'll be fine," I repeated. Uno's eyes went to me again. "I'll stay," he said back.

Napakunot lalo ang noo ko. Bakit? I can do it alone already. Isa pa, he looked busy. Naalala ko bigla ang sinabi niya kanina kay Doc Ysabelle. Slowly, the fear in me was overpowered with so much bitterness I had to break the eye contact. 

"You don't need to stay," matigas kong balik. "Hindi ikaw yung tipong magsta-stay kung ayaw ng tao, diba?" I asked again. 

I saw recognition flashed on his face before he slowly licked his lower lip. For some reason, he looked irritated, kahit favor naman sa kaniya ang ginagawa ko. He won't be bothered, makakauwi siya at the comfort of his home. 

"Ayaw mo, but the baby inside you didn't say no," he said far too deep and slow.