Waiting For You

Chapter 14

It only took him half the time he used to go to the drugstore para makabalik dahil nagmamadali siya. Pagdating niya sa bahay ay agad agad niya pinuntahan si Chloe sa kwarto. She saw her pacing around the room.

“Spencer! Buti nakauwi ka na! tumawag sila Mrs. Dominguez, tungkol sa nangyari sa food court kanina?” She asked panicking

“I got the call from my secretary, pero wait, ok ka pa ba?”Spencer asked her

“Ok na ako ang importante maayos muna natin to” She answered but her body says otherwise. He checked her forehead to check if nilalagnat pa siya o hindi na. Her fever has subsided from earlier but she’s still not okay.

“Chloe, can you please stay put for a while” Spencer holding her in her shoulders and letting her seat. “Now tell me the truth please?”

Chloe sighed “Nagsuka ako ulit ng dalawang beses pag alis mo, kumikirot pa din ang tyan ko pero ok lang talaga ako kaya ko pa..tinext na nila sa akin ang hospitals puntahan na natin?” Chloe cannot help but worry for the other first before for herself

“Chloe, tell me ano kinain mo kanina?”  He asked and that got her attention “Sa food court ka ba kumuha ng pagkain for lunch?”

“Hindi, may baon tayo kanina diba” Unti unti niya inaalala ang mga pangyayari…”Pero…hinatian ako ni Gene kanina ng meryenda niya…dun ata galing..?” May alinlangan sa pag sagot niya

“Let’s go!” Spencer held her hands and guided her through the door

“Teka teka di pa ako nakakapagbihis!” Biglang reklamo ni Chloe

“Ok na yan, we have no time to spare” Spencer ignoring her complain

He choose to drive to the nearest hospital with the most number of complaints received. Hindi naman sa inuuna niya pa yun over Chloe, pero this is also one thing that he has to deal with sooner or later.

 Pagdating nila sa hospital..agad agad naman siya bumaba. But Chloe remained seated on her seat.

“Chloe tara na”  Tawag ni Spencer sa kanya to no response. “Di mo na ba kaya maglakad? Do you want me to carry you?”

“No! Nahihiya lang ako sa suot ko, bakit hindi mo man lang kasi ako pinagbihis” Sagot niyang nakasimangot.

Natawa naman si Spencer ng konti dun.  They are already in an emergency and she can still c***k that up. In a way he felt relieve because the fact that she can still joke around meant she is not that ill. Pero mahirap na mas mabuti na rin ang nakakasigurado. “Ito jacket ko, isuot mo na lang” Hinubad niya naman ang itim na jacket na suot niya at inabot sa kanya. Agad niya naman etong sinuot.

Pagpasok nila Spencer called out to the nurse station. Chloe stayed behind, she hate hospitals. The feeling inside the emergency is giving her creeps. Kaya instead of letting her eyes wander around he just fixated it on one side. Kay Spencer.

Every nurse in the ER seems to put their FULL attention for Spencer. Natawa naman si Chloe pero bigla siya nahilo pero buti nalang may upuan sa likod niya na nagamit niya bilang suporta.

“Chloe!” Spencer called out to her

“Ok lang ako nahilo lang ako ng konti” She forced a smile

“Eto siya nurse, four hours ago nakaramdam siya ng p*******t sa tyan, paguwi namen galing office nagsusuka na siya and also showed signs of high fever. Please check on her”  Spencer instructed

A nurse was starting to attend to her when she refuse “Spencer, di na ok lang ako. Konti lang naman nakain ko if yun nga man talaga ang dahilan”

“Just let them check on you okay? Kahit na konti lang yun. It can still be dangerous? Please?” Mahinahon naman na convince ni Spencer kay Chloe

“No, ayaw ko” Chloe insisted, Spencer felt her grip on his arms tightened.

“It would be fine ok?  Please Chloe?” He convinced her again. Binuhat niya si Chloe and placed her on the empty bed beside them.

Medyo kumalma naman si Chloe because of that “Spencer don’t you have to check on the others?” Her responsible side kicking in

“Pagkatapos mo na” Sagot naman sa kanya ni Spencer

“Sige na, iwan mo na muna ako..”Utos niya ulit. She is that responsible

“Sigurado ka?” Tanong niya ulit.

She nodded and smiled on him. He smiled back and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before leaving her side.

“Ang sweet naman ng boyfriend niyo ma’am!” Kinikilig na komento ng isang nurse

Chloe just weakly smiled and she was checked on by the nurses and the resident doctor. After her check-up, she was indeed diagnosed with food poisioning. Pero luckily for her tulad ng hula nila hindi ganun karami ang nakain niya ng kontaminado na pagkain at nailabas niya na ito lahat bago pa ito tuluyan kumalat sa katawan niya. She just have to stay overnight for observation and was giving dextrose for restoration of the fluids she lost earlier.

Si Spencer naman ay isa isa kinamusta ang mga pasyenteng allegedly was food poisoned mula sa pagkain sa food court. Wala pa rin naman siya maibibigay na sagot dahil malalim ng ang gabi, investigation will proceed first thing in the morning. Natawagan niya na lahat ng mga kailangan niyang tao from the health and safety department, sanitation, security, lawyers etc. He even contacted some press because he has to do some major damage control. Being on top siguradong headline na agad sila bukas nito.

After endless talks with the patients, family of patients, nurses and doctors he went back for Chloe. He then saw the sleeping figure of Chloe at kahit pagod na pagod siya ay napangiti siya. “Atleast ok ka” He whispered to her.

Nagrequest na rin siya na itransfer muna si Chloe sa private room. It was already past 2 in the morning when everything was settled. He sat beside her bed and unconsciously nakatulog na siya. Nagising siya when he felt a hand in his shoulder

“Spencer!” It was Ricky and Janelle

“Andito na pala kayo.” Inaantok niya pang bati sa dalawang kaibigan “How’s everything?” He asked. Ricky is not only his bestfriend but he was also a lawyer in profession.

“Well as expected medyo humeadline kayo sa business news sa bansa. Though investigation has just started your competitors took this as their chance.” Ricky answered him.  “Some press people are already outside”

Napailing nalang si Spencer “Janelle, can you stay with Chloe? Asikasuhin lang namen ang press? Then derecho na rin kami sa mall for the investigation” Spencer asked Janelle

“Kaya nga ako andito diba, sige na ako na bahala kay Chloe” Janelle answered with a smile.

He quickly thanked her and palabas na sana ng pigilan ni Janelle. “Spencer baka gusto mo muna maghilamos at magbihis? You don’t want to add up to the headlines won’t you?” Biro ni Janelle sa kanya.

“Oo nga pala sorry pero..”Spencer realizing what he was wearing and technically he just got up directly from bed.

“Eto na..size mo yan sige na go!” Abot ni Ricky sa kanya ng paperbag ng damit niya. Agad siyang nagbihis at naghilamos paglabas ay nagbilin muna ulit siya kay Janelle bago umalis.

Tanghali na ng magising si Chloe. Nakita niya agad si Janelle na nakaupo sa sofa at nanunuod ng TV

“Chloe, gisiing ka na pala! How are you feeling?” Agad naman lapit ni Janelle at pinatay ang TV

“A lot better than last night. The medicine should have kicked in.” Chloe answered..”Teka kamusta na pala ang sitwasyon? May balita na ba sa kanila?”

“Ikaw talagang babae ka, nakadextrose ka na at lahat trabaho pa rin nasa isip mo. The answer is wala, wala pa ako naririnig kay Spencer at kay Ricky simula ng umalis sila kanina before 7.” Sagot din naman ni Janelle

“How about the news?” Tanong ni Chloe

“Hmmm…mahigpit na bilin ni Sir Spencer sa akin na wag ka stressin. TV news are stressors for you girl. Mahirap na mapagalitan” Janelle holding the remote behind her back

“Well wala naman siya di niya malalaman, dali na Janelle!” Reklamo ni Chloe

“Nope! Magpahinga ka na muna diyan” Janelle insisting on his first statement. Di natuloy ang patatalo nila dahil dumating ang  attending doctor ni Chloe at kinamusta siya and check her vital signs and lab test results.

“Well Ms. Chloe mukhang stable na naman lahat ng vital signs mo and your lab results were a lot better than last night’s test. It was really a good thing that the food contamination didn’t hit you hard because of how your antibodies reacted to it” Explain ng doctor sa kanya

“So does that mean that pwede na akong umuwi?” Chloe asked her doctor

“Well actually pwede na, but Mr. Spencer Davino? Is that your?” Tanong ng doctor tila ng iintriga pa.

“I think he is the General Manager of Mirage Mall instructed that if you are cleared today, he requested that you stay for one more day para daw mas sigurado” The doctor continued

“Pero ok na naman ako. Hindi ba bawal yun?” Takang tanong niya

“For this case I think one day is not illegal. So Ms. Chloe, I have to do my rounds if in any case you feel any pain or discomfort please don’t hesitate to contact our nurse station” Paalam ng doctor.

“So ano na nga ba?” Janelle teasing her because of the unanswered question earlier

“Ewan ko sayo! Akin na ang remote, you heard the doctor I’m already good to go so pwede na siguro tayo maghanap ng news?” Tanong ni Chloe

“Fine fine! Eto, wala naman news ng ganitong oras” Suko ni Janelle at agad na inabot ang remote

“May tinatawag kasing news channel” Agad na hinanap ni Chloe ang tamang channel.

Live coverage eto ng presscon sa conference room ng Mirage Mall. Kalmado niyang sinasagot ang lahat ng tanong kahit hindi pa rin malinaw kung ano ang dahilan dahil wala pa ang resulta ng imbestigasyon.

“Hindi po namen tinatakasan ang responsibilidad namen sa issuing ito. We just have to confirm and verify things before giving out our official statement. As of this moment, We ask for everyone’s patience while investigation is being conducted and after these we can assure you that everything will be properly taken cared of. …… “ Part of one of Spencer’s answer then the coverage was cut off.  Then the next parts showed some scenes taken from hospitals, some complaints of the patients, and the crowd that was starting to gather up outside the entrance of Mirage Mall.

“Tama ka nga stress lang talaga to” Chloe gave up and closed the television

“Sabi ko naman sayo girl..” Sagot ni Janelle

“Kaya mas dapat na lumabas ako dito para naman matulungan sila..manpower ang kailangan nila ngayon” Chloe trying to state a point

“But sorry girl strict orders from your husband s***h boyfriend s***h suitor na hindi ka pa pwede lumabas” May halong pangaasar sa tono nito at tumawa

“Che! Kakausapin ko siya mamaya.” Chloe ignoring her

“Good luck naman kung makausap mo pa yan sa sobrang kabusyhan. Pero infairness ah kahit haggard at lahat na siya lakas pa rin ng dating” Janelle continued teasing her.

As Janelle had mentioned earlier di niya nga nacontact si Spencer buong araw. Forever busy ang lines sa office, ganun din cellphone niya at kahit anong text niya di siya narereplayan. Wala naman siya magawa kundi maghintay. Maghapon na sila nakatambay lang kaya bagot na bagot na sila.

“Uyyy Janelle! Nagugutom ako!” Kuha niya sa atensyon ng kaibigan

She checked her watch is almost 630 pm. “Parating na ang pagkain konting tiis na lang”

“Ayaw ko ng hospital food di naman masarap yun eh” Reklamo naman ni Chloe. Then they heard a knock on the door.

“Tita Rachel!” Nakangiting salubong ni Janelle

“Ma! Ikaw pala” Bati rin ni Chloe

“Ikaw talaga kung di ko pa mabalitaan kay Spencer na nasama ka sa mga naapektuhan di ko pa malalaman, why didn’t you inform me?” Sermon ni Mommy Rachel sa kanya

“Ma, its not really that big. Medyo may pagkaOA lang din si Spencer, hinospital arrest pa ako” Nakasimangot naman hirit ni Chloe

“Hospital arrest ka dyan, buti na nagiingat iha. Food poisioning yun hindi yun basta basta ubo at sipon” Sermon pa din sa kanya ng mommy niya. “Eto pala may dala akong pagkain, nirequest din kasi ni Spencer na wag daw muna bibili sa labas mas ok kung lutong bahay na muna”

“Haayyy iba na talaga ang masyadong inlove!” Biglang hirit ni Janelle mula sa likod at pinandialatan lang siya ni Chloe

“Janelle ano ibigsabihin mo?” That caught Mommy Rachel’s attention

“Wala po tita, may share ba ako dyan?” Lapit naman ni Janelle

“Meron para sa inyong dalawa yan” Sagot naman ni Mommy Rachel

“Janelle, kanina ka pa andito ayaw mo pa ba umuwi?” Tanong ni Chloe.

“Hintayin ko na si Ricky sabay na kami uuwi laters.” Sagot ni Janelle “Ayyy nako ayaw ko ng ganyan tingin don’t say sorry or even thank you. Just doing what I must be doing” Nakangiting pahabol ni Janelle

“Tara kain na nga tayo” After ng dinner nila ay nagpaalam na rin si Mommy Rachel dahil si Daddy Kenneth niya naman daw aasikasuhin sa bahay,.

“Don’t worry too much iha, the boys can handle everything” Mommy Rachel wanting Chloe to have atleast a peace of mind.

Nagkwentuhan lang si Chloe at si Janelle hangga’t nakaramdam ng antok ang dalawa. Nakatulog na sila pareho wala pang Ricky at Spencer na dumarating. It was almost midnight ng magising si Chloe wala na dun si Janelle si Spencer na lang na mukhang kakarating lang dahil hinuhubad pa lang nito ang coat niya.

“Spencer” tawag niya kay Spencer letting him know that she is awake

“Ei Chloe, nagising ba kita? Sorry..” Lapit naman ni Spencer sa kanya

Umiling si Chloe “Kakarating niyo lang? si Janelle?”

“Mga 15 mins ago, umuwi na sila ni Ricky” Sagot naman ni Spencer

She just nodded and Spencer smiled “Kamusta pala?”

“Confirmed na it is from the food served from our food court ang cause ng food poisoning. Marami rami ang affected kasi mabenta ang mga pasta products nila dun. I don’t have the exact numbers of affected yet by tomorrow morning siguro meron na nun.” He started explaining

“May mga nagfile ba ng charges?” She asked

“Of course meron, pero karamihan naman willing makipagsettle. Bukas din aasikasuhin na namen ni Ricky ang settlement” He assured her

“Eh ang press?” She asked again

“Wala naman tayo magagawa dun. Damaged has been done. Minsan hindi naman talaga maiwasan it’s how we are able to deal with this and I think we can easily recover with this” He answered this time with a reassuring smile

“Eh  ano sabi ng…?”Di niya natapos ang sasabihin because Spencer hush her.

“Tama na ang tanong, ikaw kamusta ka na?” He changed the topic

“I’m perfectly fine, pwede na dapat ako umuwi kaso ayaw mo ako pauwiin” reklamo niya sa kanya

“If nothing happens tonight, bukas uuwi na tayo ok? Don’t blame me if I want to be extra careful..” He just wants the best for her

“Sige na nga..ikaw di ka pa uuwi?” Tanong niya pa

“Pwede ba naman iwan kita dito? Dito na lang ako matutulog” He rejects the idea

“Ha? Hindi ka makakatulog ng maayos dito, pagod na pagod ka na kaya. Sige na ok lang ako dito” Kahit takot siya mag-isa ay gusto niya naman makapagpahinga siya ng maayos.

“Uyyy concerned siya sa akin” Spencer teased her at pinalo lang ni Chloe ang kamay niya

“Spencer, I’m serious” Chloe changing her tone to point emphasis

“Seryoso din naman ako Chloe. I won’t leave you alone here. Sige na matutulog na ako matulog ka na rin.” Utos naman ni Chloe,then he transferred from the chair to the sofa bed.

“Wait di ka naman kasya dyan ehhh..”Chloe protesting

“Good night Chloe” He ignored her, just loosened up his tie and lied down on the sofa bed. Wala na naman nagawa si Chloe.

The next day maaga palang ay nagpadischarge na sila. Si Spencer na rin mismo ang naghatid sa kanya pauwi. Kakalapag lang ng mga gamit sa kwarto ni Chloe ng nagpaalam na si Spencer.

“Chloe, just call me if you need anything. Papadalhan ka ulit ng pagkain ni mama later.” Bilin sa kanya ni Spencer

“Wait lang Spencer, di ka pa nagbrebreakfast” Pigil ni Chloe sa kanya

“Ok lang, I’ll just grab something on the go. Malalate na ako” Pagtanggi niya naman.

“Hindi pwede Spencer, kahit magsandwich ka lang dyan sa baba at kape. I insist” Nauna pang lumabas si Chloe to prepare his food

“Uuyyy kagabi ko pa napapansin na concerned ka talaga sa akin” Pangaasar ni Spencer

“Parang sinasabi mo na di ako concerned sayo dati ah!” Palo pa rin ni Chloe sa kanya.

“Well something has changed this time” Tuloy niyang hirit

“Ano naman yun?” Taas kilay na tanong ni Chloe

“I don’t know I just can feel it” Makahulugang naman hirit ni Spencer di siya pinansin ni Chloe at tinapos ang ginagawa. “Kainin mo muna yan bago ka umalis ah”

“Yes maam” May kasama pang saludo. It took him only about 15 minutes to eat everything kaya nagpaalam na siya. Palabas na siya ng tinawag siya ni Chloe. Nilapitan siya ni Chloe and gave him a hug.

“Thank you Spencer for taking care of me, bukas papasok na ako para matulungan na kita. Don’t work too hard today you had enough these past two days” Bulong niya sa kanya habang nakayakap sa kanya

Spencer smiled with this gesture and tightened the hug. “It’s at my utmost pleasure. Kayang kaya ko pa isang hug mo lang nawawala na lahat ng pagod ko” He answered back then bumitaw naman si Chloe para makaalis na siya.

“Baka gusto mo samahan na rin ng isang kiss para fully charged na talaga ako?” Nakaalis na si Spencer pero bumalik pa

“Late ka na diba? Sige na alis ka na byee!!” Tulak naman ni Chloe sa kanya palabas

For the next few days these became their routine. Sabay sila pumapasok pero di sila sabay umuuwi. Pinapauna palagi ni Spencer si Chloe dahil marami pa siyang trabaho na kailangan tapusin  Ayaw niya din naman na napapagod si Chloe kaya hindi niya ito hinayaaan na samahan siya sa mga overtime niya. Ilan araw na siya halos hatinggabi umuuwi at maagang umaalis.   Isang linggo pa ang itinagal bago unti unting naging maayos ang lahat.

Sa gabing maagang umuwi si Spencer ay hindi na maiwasan ni Chloe na komprontahin eto.

“Spencer, I really can’t stand see you working like a robot” Sermon niya

“Konti na lang Chloe and everything will be back to normal” Optimistic niyang sagot

“At konti na lang din magiging walking zombie ka na” She answered back “And I won’t just be standing here and look how you kill yourself”

“What do you mean?” Takang tanong naman ni Spencer

Di na siya sumagot. Umakyat na siya sa sariling kwarto at nagpahinga.