All that Matters (Absinthe Series 3)

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

All That Matters

I recognized the place immediately as soon as I opened my eyes. The machine had its constant beeping while I was breathing normally. Makailang-ulit kong binukas-sara ang aking mga mata hanggang sa malinaw na ang aking nakikita.

My eyes landed on the figure beside me. Kaya pala mabigat ang gilid ng aking kama, ay dahil may nakayukyok doon. He moved. Maya-maya ay nakaharap na sa akin ang kanyang mukhang pagod. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng awa.

" Exodus..." I called him. My voice sounds hoarse but I still managed to speak out. Mahina lamang ang boses kong iyon pero narinig agad ni Exodus. Umayos siya ng upo habang kinukusot ang mga mata. Hinawakan niya agad ang aking kamay na may nakakonektang IV line.

" Are you okay? May masakit ba sa'yo?" he asked.

" Masakit yung IV needle." sabi ko. Namilog ang kaniyang mga mata at dahan-dahan niyang itinabi ang aking kamay.

"I'm sorry. Magtatawag ako ng nurse para ipakuha." aniya.

"Okay lang. It's needed."

" The doctor said you have to lessen your activities. You had a panic attack again."

Bumuntong-hininga ako. " I know. The elevator was packed and the machine was eerie. Hindi ko yata kinaya kaya..." I shrugged. Bahagya akong umayos ng upo sa kama. Exodus assisted and made me feel comfortable. Bahagya niya ring inayos ang pagkaka-recline ng kama.

" You have to take pills again." sabi niya.

" I can't." tanggi ko.

" Adina.."

" I just can't go back to it again. Nakaya ko naman ang mga attacks ko before. It just went out of hand today."

" That was yesterday." aniya

Namilog ang mata ko. " What? So I was here for a whole after and a night?"

" Tanghali na ngayon."

" Ganoon ako katagal nawalan ng malay? I have appointments, Exodus!"

" Fuck those appointments. I told Leone to cancel them today. I had to also conceal what happened because unfortunately marami kayong kasama sa elevator at marami din ang nakakilala sa'yo."

" Thank you, Exodus." nasabi ko na lamang. I shouldn't argue with him. Alam kong pagod siya at nangangailangan ng pahinga. Ayaw ko ng makadagdag pa sa problema niya dahil kahit di niya sabihin, alam kong marami siyang inaasikaso.

" I told Leone to sort out your appointments. Extend your stay here. Sinabihan kong tawagan muna ang management dahil hindi biro ang nangyari sa'yo. But they didn't approve of the extension, so you'll just have small number of appointments in a day. I already hired you a bodygua--"

"What bodyguard? Alam mong ayaw ko ng bodyguard."

" You need one."

"No." I insisted. Alam kong nag-aalala siya but it doesn't need to come to the extent na magkakaroon pa ako ng bodyguard.

" Don't worry. He's a good friend of mine." he consoled.

Umirap ako. " Wala akong pakialam. Ikaw yata ang may kailangan ng bodyguard dahil okay lang naman ako."

" Please? Para sa ikatatahimik ng kaluluwa ko? Your mom scolded me already!"

"Fine." pinahaba ko ang sinabi. Masama ko siyang tiningnan. " You already dropped the Mom bomb."

Ngumisi siya. " I know and I am tired of always looking out for you. Kailangan mo ng mag-asawa. Marami akong kilala na willing kang mapangasawa."

" They are all assholes, like you."