The Night We Sleep (COMPLETED)

[9] Bleed

THE NIGHT WE SLEEP
by psychoticnovelist

CHAPTER 09: Bleed

TUMAKBO AKO PABALIK. Hindi ko alintana ang naglalakihang ugat na pumapatid sa'kin. Hindi ko alam kung sa'n ako patungo. Sinusundan ko lang ang mga palahaw ni Euler. He sounded pained and distressed.

"Euler!"

I continued running, looking sideways, hoping to spot Euler. My tears were uncontrollably streaming down my cheeks. Mas lalo akong nahihirapang tumakbo dahil sa mga luha ko. My knees were wobbling and I could hardly make a step but I tried my best to find him.

"Euler! Nasa'n ka?!"

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid. All I could see were tall trees, standing against the darkness. The moon was never enough to illuminate the way because of the protruding trees.

"Euler! Please answer me!"

"K-kartini, help..."

Sa wakas ay narinig ko rin ang impit niyang sigaw. He was just nearby.

"Euler, hold on. I'm coming for you."

Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang direksyong tinutumbok ko. I was just running with the hope of seeing him.

"Euler!" sigaw ko nang makita siya.

He was lying on the ground, writhing in pain. Mas lalo akong kinabahan nang makitang balot siya ng dugo. He was holding his wounded knee, trying to stare at me with a smile.

"Euler, just don't move!"

Lumapit ako sa kanya at hinawakan ang kamay niya. He was trying to smile at me but failed big time. Mas lalo akong naiyak.

"W-what happened to you?"

Tiningnan niya ako na para bang sinasabing wala lang ang sakit na iniinda niya.

"I-I fell down... I followed you," he answered weakly.

Guilt suddenly gushed in me. It was all clear to me that it was my fault. I ran away so he followed me, making him stumbled and injured. Napahagulhol ako nang maalala ang sinabi niya.

"Dati kaya pang madala ng daily dose of antigen para maiwasan ang excessive bleeding. Pero ngayon ay nire-reject na ng katawan ko. The next injury might kill me right away,"

"No! This is my fault."

I hit my head constantly. Wala pa ring ampat ang mga luha ko. Napatigil ako nang maramdaman ang kamay niya sa pulso ko. He was stopping me from punishing myself.

With frail eyes, he smiled at me. "I-it was never your fault, Kartini. Risking my own life for you will always be the greatest sacrifice I could ever give."

Umiling ako. Damn this man for making this hard for me!

"No! Hindi ka mamatay, Euler! Darating na sina Mommy at Daddy. We'll help you."

I knew I sounded desperate right now but that's least of my concern now.

"Kartini..."

"Please don't speak," I begged. "Conserve your energy until the help comes. Please..."

I pressed on his wounds, trying to make a compress by stopping the blood flow. Wala akong pakialam kahit balot na rin ako ng dugo niya. All I care right now was to get him out of here, safe and sound.

"K-kartini, someone asked me before what would I feel if she dies. I said nothing."

Hindi ko mapigilang mapakurap. His words sounded familiar. Sa isang iglap ay nakita ko ang sarili kong nakahiga sa hospital bed. Sa tabi ko ay ang lalakeng nakahiga rin sa hospital bed. His face was unclear but I was certain that he was smiling.