"WILL YOU STILL HUG ME IF I WERE A COVID-19 POSITIVE?"
My eyebrows furrowed when this man I hugged from behind asked me. He's Liam— my boyfriend and should be my husband right now if only could Corona Virus do not existed.
The perfect marriage we planned for almost one year that was supposedly have done last week got postponed because of that pandemic.
I'm putting all the blame on the virus. It ruined everything.
"You will not. We will not. Hindi na nga tayo nalabas ng bahay oh?"
He turned his body around me and cuffed my face instantly.
"What if nga lang diba?"
"Of course yes. You know how much I love it when you're with my arms."
"You really love me that much huh?" He laughs as soon hugged me.
"Oo naman mahal na mahal kita."
3 weeks after that scenario the officials invite us to the hospital to be examined. My mother who live with us got infected to Corona Virus and they say, there's a probability that she also transferred the virus to us.
"You are negative."
Big curves formed in my lips. I can't explained how happy I am knowing that I am free from COVID-19.
I immediately went out from my examination room and searched for Liam's room. I'm just so excited to know his expression about this. I know he'll be happy.
"I'm sorry but you can't enter this room, Ma'am," the nurse insisted before I could enter Liam's room.
"But my boyfriend was inside this room."
"So you're Ms. Elizabeth Mendez?"
"Y-yes."
"I'm sorry to tell you this but Mr. Liam Bautista was confirmed Covid-19 positive. You can't talk, touch nor come near him."
My world suddenly stopped spinning. No.
"N-No, n-no!" I was about to enter the room when they blocked my way. I forced them to let me in but they did not.
Now I am here near the door facing Liam whose inside.
I'm crying.
"Don't cry, baby."
Even tho' I can't hear him, I can still clearly understand what he's saying because he's managing to move his lips slowly.
"I want to hug you." I also did what he did; I talk with my lips on its slowly moves.
"I also want to, but that's prohibited. That's too dangerous."
I cried harder.
"Ms. Mendez. Your time is up. Let's go to your room. You need to be examined again." The nurse distracted us.
I stared at Liam with my face on its hardest.
"Don't cry. I love you."
"I love you too, Liam," I whispered before I could totally left his room.
After 3 days I finally got the result of my examination... for the second time. Dito ko malalaman kung puwede na ba talaga akong umalis ng hospital at makauwi.
If I were negative then they will not allow me to cameback to the hospital and basically I won't see Liam for a days and that's heartbreaking.
"You are negative. You can go home and please stay at home."
"Can I just stay here? K-kahit dito na lang ako sa kuwarto na 'to, hindi ako lalabas promise."
"No, may taong mas kailangan ang kuwartong 'to. Ain't you happy? 'Yong iba gustong gusto makaalis sa hospital while you? puwede kang mahiga na lang sa bahay habang umiinom ng lemon juice. You're Covid-19 free!"
"Kung mananatili lang din dito ang taong mahal ko mas pipiliin kong manatili na rin dito."
"Don't worry about your boyfriend we will do everything for him to survive... for them."
"But can I ask a favor for the last time? Promise you won't see me again in this hospital after this."
With the safety suit I'm wearing right now with masks on my face and gloves on my both hands I entered Liam's room.
He's lying on his own bed.
Doctor William told me never come closer to Liam that's why I'm just here— near the door.
"L-Liam," I whispered. My tears began to fall.
"Why are you here?"
"I-I want to see you before I leave. I-I want to hug you."
"Don't come near me. Please baby, promise me even if I ask you to hug me, don't."
"B-but—"
"I love you. Stay safe, ok?"
"Ok I promise but also promise me, gagaling ka, Liam."
"I promise." He smiled.
I turned my back and wipe my tears. Kung magtatagal pa ako dito baka hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong yakapin siya.
"Baby, can you hug me?"
I stopped when I heard him asking for a hug. I shifted my back again.
Can I hug him? Just once.
My tears trailed off. Nonstop. I stepped forward; coming near him.
Sa wakas mayayakap ko na ulit siya.
I hugged him so tight the moment I reached him. He hugged me back and later we kissed.
"Mahal mo talaga ako 'no?"
"Y-yes I love you so much----
"Baby, can you hug me?"
I cameback to my senses when I heard him asking the same question he asked. Ghad I am just imagining.
Now I will ask my self again. Can I hug him? But I promise I wont.
"Baby, can you hug me? Just once before you leave. You love me, right?" he added.
I shifted my back as what I have imagine, but this time I will not let myself to broke my promise.
"I-I'm sorry, Liam. I love you, but I can't."
I saw him smiled and after that I decided to went out from his room.
-
5 Months later.
"Maaari nang magsilabas ang tao sa kani-kanilang bahay our country is now Covid-19 free!"
That was the breaking news now. I immediately fixed myself. Sa wakas pagkatapos nang pagtitiis ko makikita ko na si Liam. Makakasama ko na ulit siya.
"Doc William! Where's Liam?" I asked with a big smile written in my face.
"I'm sorry."
My expression suddey changed. What he's talking about?
"A-ano pong sinasabi niyo? Bakit kayo nag-sosorry diba dapat magpasalamat tayo kasi tapos na ang Co—"
"Last case na pala si Mr. Bautista? Siya na lang ang natitirang Covid-19 positive bakit hindi pa siya nakasurvive?"
"Oo nga kawawa naman."
I stopped talking when I heard the nurses chitchating. Bigla na lang akong nakaramdam ng sakit.
"I-Ibang Bautista 'yon diba? H-hindi si Liam 'yong pinag-uusapan nila! Diba? Sumagot ka! Hindi diba?" Drop of tears suddenly escaped from my eyes.
"I'm sorry." That's the only word he uttered.
Nawalan bigla ako nang lakas at napasalampak sa sahig.
I thought we both a survivor of Covid-19.
But I was wrong.
Dahil sa aming dalawa ako lang ang nanatiling buhay.
