Chasing Hope [HIATUS]

CHAPTER 33

"Okay," he calmly said.

I looked at the door when someone knocked on it, it opened immediately and Doctor Hermosa entered. Nagkatinginan din sila ni Ralpkiel.

"Oh," she was surprised. "I didn't think you two were close," she smiled at us.

I pursed my lips and stood up to approach her. "Mhm, we were friends in college." I said in a low tone. Hindi ko alam kung kailan pa naging friends ang lovers noong college. "How is Ralph feeling now?" I changed the topic.

"To be honest, he has a speedy recovery. We treat him well and quickly, his breathing is also fine, he is also away from the smoke and is being treated so he will soon recover. A little more medicine and rest," Doctor Hermosa said while checking Ralph, he's still sleeping.

"He can be taken out even on the ground, can't he?" I asked. Gusto ko lang isigurado para p'wede kaming lumabas minsan, sa wheelchair siya, even just outside the hospital so he doesn't get bored here. Doc nodded.

"Yup, but still take care of him. Bawal pa siyang mapagod," we just talked more about Ralph. It's really a good thing that he is strong and can fight his illness. She also left after checking on Ralph, so I returned to my seat.

Kinuha ko na ulit ang gamot sa bag ko at nilapag 'yon sa harap ni Ralpkiel. "Uminom ka ng paracetamol," I told him. Tumango na lang siya at binuksan 'yung container. "S-sleeping pills 'yan." Kaagad kong sabi ng mabuksan niya iyon. He looked at me, I think he's judging me.

"What about it?" He asked.

Umiling na lang ako. Maybe he thinks I'm having sex with someone else and then I'm taking pills to prevent pregnancy. I know Ralpkiel wouldn't think like that.. but I just don't want him to have an idea like that. After all, he is my last. I watched him drink biogesic.

"Magpahinga ka ulit doon." Sabi ko.

"I'm okay,"

I hissed. "Go back to the sofa so you can rest and get better soon because you still have duty tomorrow."

"Okay, I'm going to talk to you later," He calmly stood up from his seat. I told him to turn off the light, and leave the middle one open so there would be some light at least. I feel that Ralpkiel also fell asleep immediately after he rested after eating. I stood up and took a blanket from the top of the drawer, I went over to where Ralpkiel was and put a blanket over him so he wouldn't get cold. My hand was shaking when I touched his forehead to check his body temperature. Mainit pa rin.

Hindi naman na ako nag-order ng pagkain dahil 'yung inorder ko kanina ay hanggang dinner na. Sa baba na lang siguro ako bibili ng soup kung meron, para kay Ralpkiel. Habang nanonood ako sa laptop ko ng surgery ay napansin kong gumising na si Ralph, makakatulog din naman siya kaagad maya-maya. He loves sleep so much that even if he is not sleepy, he sleeps. Because the sun had gone down, the food that the nurse had given had arrived so Ralph ate.

"Hindi po ba kakain si Tito Kiel?" Ralph asked me while eating. Hindi pa ako kumakain kahit nagugutom na 'ko.

Umiling ako. "Mamaya pa siguro kakain,"

"Nabili niyo po 'yung pili nuts?" Oh, right! Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at kinuha ang pagkain na binili ko for Ralph. "Thank you po,"

"Welcome, Ralph. Anyway, your teacher called."

"May kulang na po ba ako?"

"Hindi naman.. kaya mo ba gawin lahat ng activities or quizzes next month 'pag bumalik ka na sa school?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Kaya po,"

"Okay. You will graduate in a few months, where do you want to study?"

"Kahit saan po." He gave me a smile kaya nawala ang mata niya.