THE DEAL

TD- 31

He was pacing to and fro, waiting for the doctor outside the emergency room. He has called Lea's parents and Bea regarding the accident.

"Ano ba naman 'to, lapitin ba talaga sa disgrasya ang anak ko?" asked Mommy Ligaya.

"Ano bang nangyari, Aga? Kanina lang magkausap pa tayo." Bea asked him.

"I know. Papunta na ako sa kanya. We were talking through phone when I heard a loud screeching of something I do not know. Hindi na siya sumasagot. Along the way, nakita ko na may disgrasya. Nakita ko siya." he explained. "Bea, I cannot lose her again this time. Hindi pwede."

Bea rubbed his back to console him. "She'll be okay."

Later on, the doctor went out of the emergency room.

"Doc, how is she?" he asked the doctor.

"The patient now is fine. Nagkaroon lang siya ng minor injuries. The major problem here is, medyo natamaan ang ulo ng pasyente. Head trauma. The patient is still unstable. We are going to bring her to the Intensive Care Unit. When she wakes up, we'll then transfer her to the private room. She's still under observation until tomorrow."

Her mom started to cry.

"When is she going to wake up?" Bea asked.

"Right now, we couldn't tell you. The impact's too strong that it has affected the brain of the patient. We are going to observe her still."

"Doc, do your best to get my daughter cured." Her dad told the doctor.

"We are going to do our best, Mr. Salonga. If you need something, you can ask her nurses and you could talk to me. Excuse me."

"Why didn't you tell us about her, Aga?"

"Tito," he faced him, "Siniguro ko po munang siya 'yon. Tito, she's shown me identification cards and papers that prove that she's Claire plus the fact that she doesn't remember anyone of us. I didn't want to get my hopes up."

"You should've informed us. Kasi tutulungan ka naman namin. Dapat sinabi mo agad." her mom answered.

"Ma, let's stop blaming each other, okay? What's important is we have found her. Let's just hope and pray for the better." Bea told them.

It was already midnight when they brought her to the ICU. They've finally seen her. The hospital allowed them to enter the ICU, but one at a time.

Her mom was crying upon seeing her. She missed her favorite daughter. She entered the ICU and talked to her. Of course she could hear her. She saw that Lea's tears fell from her eyes, a sign that she's listening.

"Ate, there is one thing I want to tell you when you wake up. Kaya gumising ka na." Bea told her and kissed her forehead. "Marami ka nang namiss masyado. Wake up."

He entered the ICU, feeling weak.

"Babes naman. Ayaw kong magkita tayo ulit na nandito ka. Na mag-isa akong kinakausap kita." He reached for her hand and held it. "Do you remember me now, babes? Is my Lea back?

"Babes, gumising ka na. Samahan mo na ako. Hinang-hina na ako sa nangyayari sa atin eh. Lakasan mo loob mo, ha? I'm going to fight with you. Okay? Mahal kita. Paggising mo, mas mahal na kita."

He went out of the ICU only to see Bea sitting.

"Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?" he asked.

"Kinausap ko na 'yong abogado ni Ate. Kapag nagising siya, kakausapin siya to ask for her statement. Maghahanap na rin ako ng mga taong pwedeng maging witness against Ellaine and Mark."