Escaping Strings

Chapter 24: The P Word

I have no idea of what he'll say, but I am starting to feel bad.

“You need to come here in Fortalejo — no! Let's meet at the hospital. Quick!”

I stop driving to talk to him, thoroughly. Bigla akong kinabahan. Hindi naman kasi siya tumatawag sa akin noon nang ganiyan ang tono ng pananalita niya.

“Wait... what's happening? Jacob!” I'm starting to panic.

“It's Martina, she fainted. Hurry! To the hospital!” Jacob ended the call and I drive off to the hospital as fast as I can.

No. No. What happened? Why did she passed out? Saang hospital? Iisa lang naman ang hospital na malapit sa company ng mga Fortalejo kaya iyon ang pupuntahan ko. I park my car and run inside the hospital as soon as I've arrived. I search for them.

“Matthew!” Diane calls my name as I also see Jacob beside her, waiting. Worried.

“What happened? Where is she? Why did she passed out?” I asked when I got to them.

“Iris suddenly felt nervous this morning that's why she look for her twin as soon as possible...,” Diane narrates. “We decided to take a visit on her office and that. Naabutan namin siya nang walang malay at namumutla.”

“Iris is talking to the doctor inside. Come!” They pulled me in.

I saw Martina with a dextrose on her hand, being confined and sleeping on the bed. Iris and the doctor looked at us.

“Is he?” the doctor asked, pointing at me.

“Yes,” Iris answered.

“Can I talk to him?” Iris nods.

“By the way, thanks.”

Lumapit si Iris sa amin.

“What happened?” I asked.

“We'll just be outside.” Hinila niya na sina Jacob at Diane palabas leaving me beside the door, clueless.

I walk towards Martina and kiss her head before facing the doctor, “What happened to her, doc?” I worriedly ask. “Is she alright?”

“Are you Mr. Matthew Mondragon... her boyfriend?” the doctor asked.

“Yes,” napahawak ako sa batok ko. “Doc, could you please say it directly? My heart is pounding. I... I am starting to panic. What happened to her, exactly? Why did she passed out?”

Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. I hold and give Martina's hand a squeeze before I turn to look at the doctor again.

“You need no worry, Mr. Mondragon,” the doctor smiled. “She got herself over fatigue. She just need to rest.”

I glance at Martina, “I knew, she was. She's overworking herself these days, but was it normal that she looks so pale? What will happen to her? I mean, she's feeling unwell these days. She's vomiting and always feeling tired and dizzy. Was it all because of anemia?” I asked.

I am freaking out, worried here! Why is he smiling?

“She has no anemia, Mr. Mondragon. I told you, you shouldn't be worried,” he said and I frowned.

“Then....” I don't understand. Is he happy because Martina is fine, now? Do they have any connection? “What are those symptoms all about?” Damn!

“Mr. Mondragon...,” he called as he pats my shoulder. “You will be a father,” he happily announced and my eyes widened.

“W–What? I... I will be a fa...father?” I stuttered.