Erina's Curse (FILIPINO)

Chapter 7

"I wasn't informed that an ankle injury leads to brain damage."

He was so serious when he said that na napatawa nalang ako ng malakas while pointing a finger at his handsome face.

"I'm serious though," I said while still smiling from ear to ear. It feels so good to just talk to him casually like this. Parang close na kami kaagad.

"Then I'll retract what I've previously said," he told me with still a serious face. He looked like his thinking so deep. I'm actually not expecting him to say 'yes' in dating me. He's not the kind of guy who takes advantage of women who are interested in him.

"But you said anything, remember?" Pangungulit ko pa. 

"Kahit ano basta makatao."

Para akong tangang tawa nang tawa sa harap niya. I don't know if it's because I'm light-headed with all the painkillers they've injected me or talagang malakas lang ang tama ko sakanya kaya tuwang tuwa ako sa mga sinasabi niya.

"What?" I was still catching my breath with all the laughing I did. "So sinasabi mo bang dating me is against the human rights?"

"Yes," he exclaimed without a beat. Grabe siya. Ang bilis bilis sumagot! Sure na sure lang?

"I'm asking you to be my boyfriend not my slave, duh!" I told him while rolling my eyes.

"What's the difference?" W-What? Is he serious?

"Are you freaking kidding me? I'm not going to torture you for Pete's sake," I exclaimed habang tinitignan siya ng masama. Ganun niya ba kaayaw maging jowa ko? Ganda ko kaya.

"You're going to ask me to accompany you to the mall. You'll make me carry all your paper bags while going through every shops. You'll force me to watch some cliche romantic movie and suddenly you'll get mad at me for no reason at all. If that's not torture enough, I don't know what is."

He told me with a straight face. This guy! He even enumerated the things I'd do to him which he considered as torture, in his hands. He's kind of right but of course, I won't say that to him kasi mas lalong aayaw siya.

"Fine. How about...be my driver every Sunday?" I excitedly asked.

"Every Sunday?" Nakakainis 'to. Talagang humihingi pa ng tawad.

"Just until you finish your training in H&H," that's three months. I hope that's already enough to make him like me back.

"Deal."

We were about to shake hands to seal the deal when Sir Hades, Miss Dianne, Sir Leo and the girls storm the room.

"Mr. Kim, if you don't mind, can you give us some privacy?" Sir Hades was so serious it gave me chills down my spine. I knew he'd get mad. I knew he'd blame me again.

Lumabas naman agad si Soo Hyun pagkatapos magpaalam sa'kin.

"How the f**k did this happen?!" kakalabas lang ni Soo Hyun sa pinto pero sinigawan na'ko agad ni Sir Hades.

"Si--" I tried to speak but he cut me off immediately.

"What did the doctors say? You f*****g know that your schedule's full! You have performances and interviews lined up! How the f**k would we deal with those? Are you even thinking?" he was just shouting continuously and none of us can't answer back. Not even Sir Leo. Not even Miss Dianne. He was that scary.

He was about to shout and reprimand me again when the doctor and two nurses came in kaya tumigil naman siya agad.

"Good Evening.....Miss Lee? How are you feeling?" the doctor asked me tenderly. She was checking my ankle while the nurses adjust my dextrose IV.

"I'm feeling light-hea---"

"When will she be discharged?" Hades cut me off again. I don't even have enough respect for him to call him 'sir'. He's so selfish and corrupt.

"I've learned that her ankle has been injured before. According to her MRI, the ligaments surrounding her left ankle was mostly stretched or torn. So to answer your question? She won't be discharged anytime soon," the doctor might have noticed Hades' hateful attitude that she answered him with little to no enthusiasm.

Her expression changed when she gazed at me. "You might need to stay her for at least two weeks Miss Lee."

"Just call me Erina, Doc."

I smiled at her although I'm feeling sad because I'll be stuck here for two weeks. I'm sure the girls would visit me but they'll be busy as hell. Lalo na ngayon dahil wala ako. Kung mahihirapan ang members na dalawin ako, imposible naman na bigyan ako ng oras nila Papa. Busy yun sa trabaho para sa pamilya niya. In short, mababaliw ako ng mag-isa sa hospital room na 'to.

"After two weeks, you'll still need to wear a brace and use crutches. You can't overwork yourself. And I highly recommend to not dance for at least a month," she continued to explain which made everyone in the room shocked.

Isang buwan? Isang buwan akong hindi pwedeng sumayaw? Then that means maka-cancel ang comeback. And Sir Hades will hate me more.

"What do you mean? Can't we just do some therapy or something so she can heal faster?!"

Sir Hades uttered his disappointment. He was standing near my bed while holding his bald head, obviously stressed out with the situation.

The doctor walk towards the front of my bed and turned on an X-ray film viewer beside the television. She placed my x-ray scan and pointed at my ankle.

"Look here. This," she said while pointing at the scan. "The ligaments surrounding the talus are all worn out while the ligaments in both the tibia and the fubula are either severely stretched or torn. If this continuous, the situation might get worse and instead of just a sprain, she'll have a fractured ankle. Forcing her ankle to do heavy work will not only bring her uncomfortable pain, it may also destroy her future."

The doctor explained about the situation more but I was in no shape to listen. Parang nangyayari na yung isa sa mga kinakatakutan ko. Wala na'kong silbi kaya itatapon nalang.

Sir Leo was the one who ask the questions regarding my treatments because Hades was too silent. He must be thinking how much money he'll lose because of me. At kung paano niya 'ko pipigain para mabawi lahat ng mawawala sakanya.

"If you need anything, just call me," the doctor said after answering all the questions.

"Thank you, Doc."

I smiled at her before she left the room. We were all silent because the news of my ankle was truly disappointing. Akala ko wala nang magsasalita ng binasag ni Hades ang katahimikan.

"So, what the f**k are we supposed to do now?" anger laced his voice. He's looking at me like I'm the biggest disappointment in the world.

"We have no choice, Sir. She needs to rest her ankle. We'll just focus to these four here at the moment," Sir Leo tried to calm him down.

"And what are we going to say sa media? We need to release a statement as soon as possible," Miss Dianne said.

"We obviously can't mentioned Mr. Kim here. We'll just release a statement that she got injured while practicing for their new album," si Sir Leo ulit ang sumagot.

"She needs to rest for a f*****g month! Don't you realize what that means? It means the album will be canceled!" Hades was back at shouting again.

The girls were awfully quiet so I tried to glance at them. Kesha sadly smiled at me. Nakita ko naman yung awa sa mata ni Raqi. They're probably disappointed dahil maka-cancel ang comeback. We've all work hard for it. Napagod kami ng ilang buwan and the anticipation were killing us pero yung excitement ay naglaho nalang na parang bula. Kasalanan ko.

They continued discussing what will happen while I'm at bed rest. Nakatulala nalang ako habang iniisip kung anong gagawin ko sa mahigit isang buwan. I can probably annoy Soo Hyun pero ayoko namang idamay siya dito. I've been infuriating him for the past week.

"Erina, we need to go. We set an emergency meeting today kaya hindi ka namin masasamahan. But I've called your assistant and she'll be here in no time," Sir Leo told me while patting my shoulder. I smiled sadly at him bago sila lumabas ng pinto.

"We'll visit you soon, okay? I'll send your books here para hindi ka naman masyadong ma-bored," Leina said after she kissed my cheeks.

"Magpahinga ka na nga. Wala tuloy bruha sa GreyHouse ngayon," natatawa namang sabi ni Sassy.

I hug them one by one bago sila sumunod sa labas. Hades and Miss Dianne did not even bother saying their goodbyes. Basta nalang sila umalis.

After they left, I checked my phone kung may social media update na sa kung anong nangyari sa'kin. Hindi pa siguro sila nakakapagdesisyon kung anong ilalabas dahil wala pa namang kahit anong news tungkol sa injury ko. I also checked my i********: and decided to message Soo Hyun.

To: soohyun_k216

thank u kanina

for carrying me and accepting the deal of course hehe

For the first time, naabutan ko siyang online kaya nakapagreply siya kaagad.

From: soohyun_k216

Ang bigat mo.

Natawa naman ako kahit na alam kong nagbibiro lang siya. He was muscular and I'm very petite. I doubt if he even sweat while carrying me. I was about to reply to him nang dumating na ang assistant ko. May dala siyang mga damit at bath essentials ko. Nakuha niya siguro sa bahay kasi may susi naman siya. Bigla akong nagutom kaya inutusan ko muna siyang magtake-out ng kakainin namin for dinner.

Magrereply na sana ako kay Soo Hyun when I saw Angelo's picture in the caller id. Sinagot ko naman agad dahil nami-miss ko na yung kapatid ko. Para masabi ko na rin kung anong nangyari kasi baka mag-alala siya kapag sa internet niya nalaman.

"Hi baby! How ar--"

"Leila," instead of my brother's usual cheery voice, I heard my mother. She's the only one who calls me by my second name. Kinabahan naman ako agad but at the same time, I miss her.

"M-Ma, kamusta po?" I greeted her with trembling voice.

"Can I ask for a favor?" ang hinhin ng boses niya. For the first time in a long time, hindi niya 'ko sinisigawan.

"Anything, Ma."

I told her while smiling. I'd happily give her anything she ask for. Kahit anong mangyari, she's still my mom and I love her. So much.

"Can you not feed your brother with false hopes?" nawala naman kaagad ang ngiti ko. Pagbabawalan nanaman ba niya akong makausap si Angelo?

"W-What do you mean, Ma?"

"Wag mong paasahin yung bata na mabibisita mo siya dito. He was crying hard yesterday dahil pinatayan mo ng tawag. He was so excited to call you and was waiting all day for you to call him back pero hindi mo naman nagawa."

Shit. After my live, nakalimutan ko nang tawagan si Angelo. I felt bad dahil kasalanan ko naman talaga.

"Ma, I'm sorry may gina--"

"Kung hindi mo kayang bigyan ng kahit kaunting oras yung kapatid mo, sabihin mo lang para hindi na naghihitay yung bata sa tawag mo."

I tried to explain but she already ended the call. Hindi ko manlang nasabi kung anong nangyari sa'kin ngayong araw. Pero wala naman paniguradong paki si Mama. But I felt really bad for my little brother and promised myself na tatawagan ko siya agad bukas. Hawak na ni Mama ang phone niya ngayon kaya paniguradong hindi na nun sasagutin kapag tumawag ako. I was spacing out when my assistant came back with dinner.

Pagkatapos naming kumain, she assisted me to the bathroom to do my night routine. Tinulungan niya din ako agad na bumalik sa kama. I ask her kung gusto niyang manuod pero magpapahinga nalang daw siya kaya natulog na din kami kaagad.

Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising dahil hindi tumitigil sa pagvibrate yung cellphone ko. I struggled to get up kaya inalalayan naman ako agad ng assistant ko.

After doing my morning routine sa banyo, I checked my phone and saw a lot of messages in our group chat.

Pokpok Nation

KESHAna all: tahimik ng bahay pag wala yung isa dyan

haLEINA kayo at magsaya: sa true lang

RAQI lang wala ako maisip: sa'kin lahat ng kimchi!!!! Insert demon laugh

sunog SASSY-imbahan: no need to insert demonyo ka naman talaga

RAQI lang wala ako maisip: luh bait ka?

haLEINA kayo at magsaya: nasiraan ng bait pwede pa

KESHAna all: saya natin kapag wala si @ERINAhulog bat ganon

sunog SASSY-imbahan: because of the gravity of the earth

haLEINA kayo at magsaya: alam nyo ba....

RAQI lang wala ako maisip: walang may paki

haLEINA kayo at magsaya: gagu ka

These girls can really lift my mood without effort. Para silang mga personal clowns ko, chos! Dahil wala din naman akong magawa, nag-type nalang ako ng irereply.

ERINAhulog: bat masaya kayo eh walang maganda dyan

KESHAna all: kala ko nasprain lang, naalog din pala utak

RAQI lang wala ako maisip: baka nabaliw na kasi wala kausap

sunog SASSY-imbahan: don't worry @ERINAhulog sendan kita pictures ko to light up ur day

haLEINA kayo at magsaya: wag sassy!!!! Baka matuluyan na si erina ahhhhhhh

Patuloy pa'kong nakipagkwentuhan sakanila kahit wala namang kwenta yung mga pinag-uusapan namin. Naputol na rin ang pag-uusap namin dahil kailangan na nilang maghanda kasi pupunta pa sila sa company. While watching tv, nakaramdam ako ng gutom so I asked my assistant to buy breakfast and coffee sa labas.

Pinatay ko din naman agad ang tv kasi wala naman akong mapanood na maayos. I decided to just scroll through my phone. My name is trending in twitter dahil naglabas na pala ng statement ang company.

"......she's in good hands and will be treated with utmost care until she recovers. Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience but the album and the comeback will be postponed till further notice."

I read the article released by H&H out loud. Treated with utmost care my ass, they can't even bother sending me messages to ask how am I. Liars. Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto. Ang bilis naman niyang bumili ng pagkain.

"Come on, sabayan mo na'kong kumain......"

Unti-unting humina yung boses ko dahil ibang mukha ang nakita ko sa may pinto.

"Hey....."

As always, he looked dashing in his blue short sleeve polo na nakatuck-in sa khaki colored pants niya. He's also wearing a black belt and loafers which made him even more attractive.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him while smiling widely. Of course I'm happy that he's here.

"I brought you these," inabot niya sa'kin ang isang puting paper bag while he placed a fruit basket on the table near my bed.

Agad ko namang binuksan ang paper bag at nakitang may mga libro don.

"George R.R. Martin, huh?" There are at least eight books na kasama at sobrang kakapal! Kailan ko kaya to matatapos?

"They're good. They'll keep you entertained for a while," he said habang ngumingiti ng tipid.

"Thank you for these, I appreciate them and will read them agad agad," I told him sincerely habang tumatawa ng mahina.

He was telling me facts about the author of the books when my assistant returned. Pinaiwan ko nalang yung pagkain at kape then she went out again to give us privacy.

"Kain tayo?" inaya ko siyang kumain habang inutulungan niya akong buksan ang mga takeout containers.

"No, I'm done. Kumain ka na."

I was supposed to eat already when Pachelbel's Canon filled the room. I answered my brother's call immediately.

"Achi! Nagsugat daw paa mo?"

Natawa naman ako agad dahil sa mga ginamit niyang salita. He must have heard the news from Uncle Loui.

"No, baby. I sprained my ankle, hindi nasugat."

Soo Hyun quickly looked at my direction pagkatapos kong sabihin ang salitang 'baby'. "It's my little brother...." I mouthed silently to him in which he nodded his head and sigh.

"Achi, video call tayo. I want to see you."

I pressed the video call button and saw my little brother's adorable face.

"Baby, sorry for yesterday. Achi forgot to call back," malambing kong sabi.

"Its okay, Achi. Hindi na'ko mad kasi you're hurt na eh," ang swerte ko talaga sa kapatid ko. ang bata bata pa pero dinaig pa'ko sa pagka understanding. 

"Where are you Achi?" he asked. he msut be curious kasi hindi pamilyar sakanya ang background. 

"In the hospital, baby. How about you?"

"I'm in my room. Dad's at work and Mom's cooking," he answered adorably.

"Alone ka, Achi?"

"No, baby. I'm with someone. You want to meet him?"

I saw Soo Hyun panic but it's already too late because my brother nodded and I already pointed the camera to him.

"Hi?" 

He was unsure on how to greet my brother. But since Angelo is a really friendly child, he wave his little hand and smiled at Soo Hyun, which the latter return.

"Are you my Achi's nurse?" No, baby. He's my future boyfriend and you're future Ahia, kinikilig ako habang iniisip.

"No. I'm her friend," He answered while smiling. Friend daw, sus. 

"Can I ask for a favor, Achi's friend?" natawa naman ako on how Angelo addressed him pero nacurious din kung anong hihinging pabor ng kapatid ko.

"Sure," Soo Hyun answered cheerfully. Naaaliw din siguro siya sa kakulitan ng kapatid ko. 

"Please take care of my Achi."

 Angelo said with pleading eyes kaya pareho kaming nagulat ni Soo Hyun. He looked at me and I just smiled at him kasi hindi ko rin alam kung anong sasabihin ko.

"Of course, I'll look after her," nagulat naman ako nung sumagot siya. Talagang sasakyan niya pa ang kapatid ko, huh?

"Promise?" my brother insisted. Ang kulit. Mana sa'kin.

"Promise."

He smilingly said. But I guess, promises are really just meant to be broken.