Taste of Poison

Kabanata 32

Sloan

Everyone seems in panic mode while I just stood there in the corner, keeping my mouth shut as they tried to revived Lia who's now fighting for her life. Seeing them made my heart cry.

I can't even do anything. Watching them with determination on their faces reminds me of how useless I am.

It has been an hour. Napasugod na rin sina Tito rito sa bahay ni Lia upang gawin ang lahat. The others were out and searching for something while again, I'm here just standing.

Lia's parents stayed outside. Kami lang ni Mama Astrid, Tita Mau, at si Tito Arthur ang nasa loob ng silid.

"We need to take the baby's out," ani Mama.

Napatuwid ako ng tayo. "We need at least one doctor, Ma!"

She glanced at me. "Then, call her doctor!"

I immediately run outside to looked for her parents. Nasa bungad lang naman sila kaya hindi na ako nahirapan.

"We need to call her doctor," ani ko. I don't know who's her doctor so, I hope her parents know!

"I–I'll call her," Lia's mother stuttered.

Tumango ako. Dali-dali silang kumilos doon at bumalik naman ako sa loob.

"This is hard," Tito groaned. "We don't even know what to do, Astrid!"

"We cannot just let her die, Arthur. What would happen to her son, huh?! And for god's sake, she's your nephew's wife! Simeon's wife!" Tita Mau shouted in frustration.

"She can't even move her finger," umiling si Tito.

"She's weak, but still alive," bumaling sa kanila si Mama. "We need to give her blood before taking out the baby. It would be dangerous for the both of them."

"You will turn her?"

Mama Astrid shook her head. "It was just for a moment. I told the others to reprocess the blood we need. They will arrive here shortly."

Napaupo ako sa couch doon. Napahilamos ako sa mukha at kinagat ang ibabang labi sa sobrang kaba.

"What if she won't make it?" I asked in a low voice.

"We have no choice but to let her go, Emory. Turning her is out of the list."

"The baby?" My voice shivered.

"The baby is okay, I'm sure. The baby's heartbeat is normal," she caressed Lia's tummy. "Hindi magtatagal ay makakalabas na rin siya. We need to perform cesarian."

"What?! Then, we should bring her to the hospital!"

"The ambulance is coming," said Tito who were typing something on his phone.

I sighed in relief. "Which hospital?"

"To your father's..." Mama answered.

Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na nga ang ambulansiya. Tito Ean was there, too. He smiled at me when he entered the room.

"Move fast," utos niya sa mga panauhin na nakasuot ng white uniform.

There are two to three people who entered the room. May dala silang stretcher at tinabi ito sa kama ni Lia.

"Ingatan niyo ang pagbuhat sa kaniya," he said again.

Tumulong sila Tita Mau sa pagbuhat kay Lia para ilipat sa stretcher. Her eyes were closed but, she still move at least. Pigil ang hininga ko habang ginagawa nila iyon.

One wrong move and her bones will surely break.

"Bring her to the hospital now!" Tito Ean's voice was filled with authority.

I was relieved when they successfully transfer her. Bitbit ang mga apparatus na nakakabit sa kaniya, maingat nilang tinulak ang stretcher palabas ng silid.

I blew a deep breath. "God, that was intense."

I heard him chuckled beside me. "Azar's in the hospital now. You should come. Lia's in need of people," aniya at umalis.

Sumunod sila ni Mama Astrid at Tito Arthur. Tita Mau walked towards me.

"Let's go, Ry. The two actually had a fight earlier. Pigilan mo sila kung sakaling magbatuhan sila ng gamit," sabay lumabas si Tita.

Iiling-iling akong sumunod sa kaniya. Lia was rushed to the hospital which was one hour drive. I drove just behind the ambulance to follow their route.

Nasa loob sila Mama Astrid ng ambulansya para asikasuhin si Lia. Her parents are with us, too as well as her doctor.

Nang makarating ay nakahanda na ang lahat ng gamit. They rushed her to the emergency room. We were not allowed to enter except Mama Astrid and others and her doctor.

We waited outside the room. Sina Mal, Kuya at Azar ay narito rin.

"God, help them..." paulit-ulit kong bulong sa kawalan.

I was walking back and forth. Alam kong nahihilo na sila sa kakalakad ko pero hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili sa sobrang kaba.

"Stop walking, Ry!" Kunot ang noo ni Mallory.

"I'm nervous!"

"We all are! At nahihilo na ako sa kakalakad mo," aniya.

I pursed my lips. Nakita kong ngumisi si Azar habang nakatingin sa akin pero agad rin naman iyon nawala.

He pouted and stood up to get close to me.

"Relax, Emory..." he whispered.

Hinawakan niya ang dalawa kong kamay at marahan itong pinisil.

"She will be alright, okay? Don't worry about anything. The people inside there are expert."

"What about Lia?" bakas ang pag-alala sa boses ko.

"They will inject her the blood we reprocess. The white blood cell would help her. Though she will turn into vampire since it was a vampire's blood but, all is good."

"She will really become a vampire?"

He hummed and squeeze my hands gently.

"Yes, but unlike others, she wouldn't crave for blood."

"How would she live if she won't? Blood is what's keeping you all alive."

Umiling siya sa aking tinuran. He tucked my hair behind my ear while staring at me softly.

"She will live, okay? You should sit and relax, baby. You seems tired," he caressed my cheeks using his thumbs.

I leaned my head on his chest and gradually closed my eyes. Nanatili kami sa gano'ng posisyon ng ilang minuto bago ako nagpasyang umupo.

Sumandal ako sa upuan at muling pinikit ang mga mata. When I opened my eyes, that was when I realized that I fell asleep and still, no update.

Napatingin ako kay Mal sa tabi ko. I sat straight and noticed the coat covering me. Inamoy ko iyon at amoy ni Azar ang pumasok sa ilong ko.

I smiled mentally.

"Damn. My nape hurts," minasahe ni Mal ang kaniyang batok.

Napagaya tuloy ako sa kaniya. "Still no update?"

"Wala pa. Ni wala pang lumalabas ni isa sa kanila mula sa loob. It's been hours," sagot niya.

"She's really in critical condition, isn't she?"

Hindi siya sumagot. I just leaned on the wall behind me and stared at the ceiling.

"Where are they?"

I glanced at her through my peripheral vision.

"They said they'll buy us coffee."

"You slept?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I woke up one hour ago."

I closed my eyes.

"Do you think she would make it?" ani ko sa mababang boses.

Silence.

"I don't know, Ry..." she sighed. "But I trust Tita Astrid. Hindi naman niya hahayaan na mapahamak si Lia."

"Have you seen her?" I opened my eyes. "She was vulnerable. Can't even move but, still managed to talk straight."

Natawa ako nang maalala ang paraan ng pagsasalita niya kanina. It was so weak and shaky I barely understand her words. Ni hindi niya halos maibuka ang kaniyang labi sa sobrang hina ng kaniyang katawan.

"We didn't notice that she's suffering already. She's a real keeper," I chuckled again.

"She will be alright."

I nodded. "She must. Kung hindi ay aampunin ko talaga si Sloan."

Ngumiti lang siya sa aking tinuran. I was about to close my eyes again when a guy stopped in front of us, catching his breath.

"I'm Seiji, Lia's friend. How's she?" hingal na hingal niyang tanong.

His hands were on his lap as he tried to calm himself. Nasa emergency room siya nakaharap at saglit pang bumaling sa amin.

Mal tapped the space beside her. "Sit here and calm your t**s down."

The guy glared at her. "How is she?"

We both shrugged. "Still no update."

Napasabunot siya sa kaniyang buhok bago umupo sa tabi ni Mallory. Sakto naman na dumating sina Azar na may dalang kape at bottled water.

Nilapag nila iyon sa katabing upuan ko. I reached for the water and handed it to the man named Seiji. Inabot ko na rin kay Mal ang kape niya.

"How long do you know her?" I interviewed as I grab a cup of coffee.

"Since diaper days," he open up the bottle and drink from it.

"Wow! That long?" si Mal.

"Yes," inis itong tumingin kay Mal. "I'm here for updates not for your interview!"

"Oh..." Mal reacted. "It's for our safety. Someone went here earlier and said he's friend with our Lia but, turns out not," she lied.

Azar emptied the space beside me and sat next to me. Si Kuya Aamon ay nanatiling nakatayo't nakasandal sa dingding.

"Who?" Seiji asked, brows furrowed.

"Who was that man again?" baling sa akin ni Mallory.

I shrugged and pull the lid of the cup. "I forgot his name."

Akma akong iinom ng kape nang bigla na lamang bumukas ang emergency room. My lips parted when the hot water spilled on my pants.

"Be careful!" mariing bulong ni Az sa tabi ko.

He took his handkerchief and immediately wiped my legs. Napangiwi ako nang maramdaman ang init doon.

"Emory," mabilis kong nilingon si Mama Astrid na siyang lumabas.

"Ma!"

Agad akong tumayo at lumapit sa kaniya.

"Come inside. Wear this," she handed me the personal protective equipment.

I did what I was told. Without looking back, I followed her inside the emergency room and I almost cried when I saw the child being slapped by the doctor in the ass.

Then, he cried.

"Oh my god..." my hands were shaking.

Napatingin sa akin si Tito Ean, tapos kay Mama.

"It's her warmth that we need, Astrid!" aniya sabay tingin ulit sa akin. "Get rid of that PPE!"

I heard Tita Mau chuckled. "I told you, niece..."

Nagkibit-balikat ako at hinubad nga iyon.

"Cover the baby and give him to her," rinig ko. Patuloy pa rin sa pag-iyak si Sloan.

Napatigil ako. "Huh?"

"Lia's in coma."

Why not Mama or Tita Mau? I wanted to ask but I held myself. Lumapit sa akin ang doktor ni Lia at binigay si Sloan.

"I'm scared," I laugh nervously.

"You'll be fine," she smiled. "Hold him gently."

Maingat kong binuhat si Sloan. I don't know but his cries a music to my ears.

"He is so tiny," I giggled.

"Ilapit mo pa siya sa dibdib mo," ani ng doktor na inalalayan akong mas isiksik siya sa akin.

Ilang segundo lang ay tumigil na si Sloan sa pag-iyak. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying.

"God, you're so beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off you," saad ko.

Gusto kong haplusin ang kaniyang mukha pero hindi ko magawa sa takot na baka mabitawan ko siya. Pinagkasya ko na lamang ang sarili na tingnan siya.

"We need to treat Lia now," saad ni Tita Mau.

"Stay there, Ry."

Napatingin ako sa banda kung saan si Lia. She's in coma...

"She's fine, right?"

"Yes, but we don't know when she'd wake up."

"But she will?"

"We hope so, too..."

I slowly nodded. Tumingin ulit ako kay Sloan na ngayon ay unti-unting dinidilat ang mga mata. My smile widened when I saw his eyes.

"You got your eyes from my brother, Sloan..."

We stayed in the hospital for another day to ensure Sloan's safety. Nailipat na rin si Lia ng silid at wala pang balita kung kailan siya magigising.

Everyone is mesmerized by Sloan's cuteness. Lia's parents and mine talked about the set up. We agreed that he'd stay with us every weekdays, and weekends to Lia's house since the two has businesses to take care of.

Dahil wala naman kaming mapapainom na gatas kay Sloan, kumukuha na lang kami sa milk bank.

"I just changed his diaper," sambit ko nang akmang sisilipin ni Tita Mau ang diaper ni Sloan.

He's on his bed here in the nursery room we prepared for him. As for Sloan, he's not a lover of naps.

He's active on his second day, and now third. Hindi rin siya iyakin.

"Kinareer mo pagiging nanay!" Pumalakpak si Tita.

I just smiled at her as I continued to keep all his things and gathered it in one container.

"How's Lia, Tita?"

She sighed and sat on his bed. "As usual, no react. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit wala pa rin. A vampire's blood was injected to her yet..."

"Maybe her body's generating pa."

Umiling siya. "It takes minutes to spread the virus. This kind of virus."

"Then why?"

"I don't know. Everyone is busy finding the cure, Emory. Even Astrid and others has no idea why Lia's still in coma."

Naging abala kaming lahat sa sumunod pang mga araw. Since we're back here in the Philippines, kailangan ko na ring bumalik sa trabaho. Sa kasalukuyan ay si Tita Mau ang nag-aalaga kay Sloan.

While Mallory, I don't know. I haven't seen her for two days now.

Sila Mama Astrid ay abala rin sa kanilang pananaliksik. Azar willingly offer his blood whenever they need.

We're back to normal.

Ni wala na akong narinig sa kanila tungkol kay Leo Madrigal. But in any case, we're still ready for him.

"Eat your breakfast."

Napatigil ako sa pagbaba ng hagdan nang makitang nag-aabang si Tito Ean sa dulo.

"I'll be late," I glanced at my wristwatch.

Umiling siya at humalukipkip. "I know your schedule."

Hindi ko naitago ang pagsimangot ko. Yes, the three of us are now living together. Noong isang araw pa akong tumatakas para hindi sila sabayan sa umagahan pero napansin niya yata ang mga kilos ko nitong nakaraan.

"I will just eat outside," saad ko.

"No," iling ulit niya. "Eat with us kung ayaw mong pati sa trabaho ay ihatid kita."

Mas lalo akong napasimangot.

"Sloan is in the kitchen. You might want to feed him. May isa't kalahating oras ka pa naman, 'di ba?"

I slowly nodded. Dahan-dahan akong bumaba ng hagdan.

"Azar will be here in a minute or so. I called him to have breakfast with us."

Napangiwi ako. "Why?"

He shrugged and walked near me to get my bag. Hindi na ako nagmatigas pa.

"I just want to. He's your boyfriend, Emory. I, at least want to ask some questions."

"Like what?" Sumunod ako sa kaniya sa kusina.

"Anything I want to know," he said.

Pumasok na ako sa kusina at nilapitan si Sloan na buhat ni Mama Astrid. I kissed his cheeks before carrying him. Umupo na kami sa upuan at nilapag naman ni Mama ang gatas niya sa mesa.

"He really likes you," aniya.

I looked at Sloan. He was smiling as he moves his hands covered in cute gloves in the air.

"Let's wait for our visitor, Ean!"

Rinig ko ang paghampas ni Mama sa kamay ni Tito dahil akma itong maglalagay ng pagkain sa plato.

He hissed. "I should've not invite him."

"Sorry, I'm late."

"Oh, speaking of..." saad ni Mama.

Napatingin ako sa bungad ng kusina at naroon nga si Azar. Napataas ang kilay ko nang makita ang kaniyang bitbit.

A basket of fruits. "Seriously," I chuckled.