Careless Whisper

3 - Embarrassing Mistake

Jezreel's POV

6 nights.

Anim na gabi na silang parating nag iinuman, nag wa-walwal na para bang mga dalaga at binata.

They're slowly destroying themselves, filling their lungs with alcohol, staying up late until they've drained their last drop.

It's a self-destructive cycle, and yet, they seem content to continue down this path.

Their actions are like a slow burn, consuming them from the inside out. They're willingly sacrificing their health and well-being for the sake of temporary pleasure.

It's both tragic and perplexing, watching them embrace this lifestyle without a second thought to the consequences.

Sa loob ng isang linggong panunuluyan ni Madame Sam dito sa hotel ay walang gabing hindi sila nag iinom at walang umagang hindi sila nagigising ng may hangover.

I've taken on the responsibilities of the couple because I understand that they simply want to enjoy themselves.

Yet, despite my outward appearance of nonchalance, a nagging worry lingers within me. I may not voice it or express it through my actions, but I'm concerned about their health.

It's a delicate balance, supporting their desire for happiness while silently grappling with the concern that their choices may be detrimental to their well-being.

"Lasing na naman kayo..." Kahit pilitin kong hindi maawa ay wala akong magawa. It's 3am in the morning at bagsak na silang dalawa sa bench. It occurs to me na wala na sa kanilang tabi si Madam. Maraming nakakalat na bote ng alak, mga junk food na pulutan nila, at mga maduming pinggan.

Lumapit naman ako agad at saka ay ginising silang dalawa.

"Kuya, Ate, gising na. Sa loob kayo matulog, malamig rito" kasing lamig ng simoy ng hangin ang boses ko, kagigising ko rin lang kaya medyo malalim pa ito.

When they woke up, Manong Chad, who still seemed drunk, was the first to walk inside. I helped Manang Ticia get inside too, as she couldn't lift herself from the chair.

I was angered by the woman's indifference, leaving the couple outside as if she didn't care about them.

One thing was certain: while she enjoyed her comfortable sleep, one of the couple would likely fall ill the next day or in the days to come.

It was a frustrating situation, watching someone neglect the well-being of others for their own convenience.

"Jezreel, my girl! Kasa naman dyan." Nang ma-higa ko sa kanyang kama si Manang Ticia at tinaas niya ang kamao niya ng may ngiti sa labi.

Nakipag fist-bump ako habang inaayos ang kanyang pwesto. Matapos nito ay pinatong ko ang kumot niya sa kanya at lumabas.

Pabalik na sana ako ng kwarto ko ng makarinig ako ng iyak na nanggagaling sa kwarto ni Madame Sam.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad ngunit ilang segundo lamang iyon. Oo, napukaw niya ang atensyon ko pero iyon lang 'yon. Hindi ko kailan man ipupwesto ang sarili ko kasama ng isang mayaman sa iisang kwarto.

I continued walking, entered my own room, and lay down on the bed. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't. Remembering the mess left on the bench, I headed to the pool area and started cleaning up.

Afterward, I washed the dishes so they wouldn't have any dirt to deal with tomorrow. As I tidied up, my mind couldn't help but wander to her. I'll admit, during her brief stay here, I often heard her crying.

It must be so painful for her to be away from her family. It's strange to hear her cry all the time because when I was younger, she was always the one smiling among her siblings. She's the cheerful and reckless one, but she does care a lot.

In these quiet moments, I found myself reflecting on her situation, imagining the depth of her pain and longing for home. It made me see her in a different light, beyond her cheerful facade, revealing a vulnerability that struck a chord in me.

"Ano ba, Jez focus ka lang!" I tried scolding myself, nag focus ako sa ginagawa ko at nang makatapos ako ay nagtungo naman ako agad sa kwarto ko.

Nang makaraan muli ako sa kwarto niya ay wala na akong marinig na hagulhol, tahimik na ang paligid at tanging sariling puso ko na lamang ang aking naririnig.

It feels so... Wrong.

I tried to shake off the unsettling feeling and kept walking, but the loud crash from the nearby room made me stop in my tracks.

Without hesitation, I hurried towards the source of the noise, my heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and concern.

As I reached the door, I could hear a sense of urgency in the voice calling out for Madame.

"Madame, are you in there?! Madame? Madame!!" The silence that followed each call only heightened my unease. I knew I had to act quickly.

Racing to the janitor's room, I grabbed the hammer I had seen earlier, hidden among the tools. With determination, I returned to Madam's door, ready to break in if necessary.

I swung the hammer at the doorknob, each strike echoing through the hallway. Finally, with a loud clatter, the doorknob broke off, and I pushed the door open, stepping into the room with a sense of urgency.

Inside, the scene was chaotic. Furniture was overturned, and Madam lay on the floor, her face pale and eyes closed. I rushed to her side, checking for signs of life. She was breathing, but barely.

In that moment, as I knelt beside her, everything else faded away. My frustrations, my worries, all were replaced with a singular focus-to ensure Madam was safe and get her the help she needed.

Pagtungtong ko sa kwarto ay wala akong nakita kundi ang mga gamot na nakakalat sa sahig. Medyo magulo ang kama, may mga gamit na wipes sa sahig at mga basag na picture frame.

"Madame?" Sinubukan kong tawagin siya, nagbabaka-sakaling makita siya kung tutugon man. But to my disappointment, she's not responding or anything.

Without hesitation, I entered the room without permission, my eyes immediately falling on her form lying on the ground.

There were several scattered medicines beside her, and in that moment, only one thought raced through my mind.

It was as if the world had stopped spinning. I rushed to her side, attempting to wake her even though I knew it was futile.

I lifted her gently, managing to grab a few medicines and stuff them into my pocket. Without hesitation, I ran outside.

I was dressed in nothing but a white tank top, black joggers that served as my makeshift pajamas, and a pair of slippers. With no taxis or tricycles passing by at this hour, I sprinted to the hospital.

Upon arrival, the nurses immediately focused their attention on me.

"What happened to the patient?" they asked as I laid Madam on a nearby hospital bed. I quickly retrieved the medicines I had taken and handed them over.

"I-I think she tried to overdose herself," I stammered, panic rising within me. My heart raced, and my throat felt dry from the long and frantic run.

"Upo muna po kayo dito, kami na po ang bahala sa kanya." Sambit ng nurse saka ay tinuro ang pinakamalapit na bench sa likod ko, umupo naman ako at pinanood ang pag alis nila.

For some reason, I felt a surge of nervousness, and I found myself silently praying with desperation. I was gasping for air, as if I were about to lose my breath.

My arms ached, and my hair was starting to get messy, but I paid no attention to it. I was too preoccupied with praying for someone I hardly knew.

Half an hour passed before I noticed the nurse who had first approached me. She walked straight to where I was seated, prompting me to stand up abruptly.

At that moment, anxiety gripped me like a vice. My heart raced, my breathing quickened, and a sense of dread washed over me.

I tried to focus on my surroundings, but everything seemed to blur together. I felt trapped, as if the walls were closing in around me.

I knew I had to stay strong for Madame, but the fear and uncertainty were overwhelming.

I prayed for her recovery, for a miracle to happen. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, and I wondered if I would ever feel calm again.

"Ano pong nangyari? Maayos naman po ba siya?"

"Maayos naman po ang kalagayan niya. Gusto ko rin pong linawin na hindi po siya nagsubok na mag-overdose. Sa aming palagay ay nakatulog lamang siya sa sobrang kalasingan..." Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko. Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ba ako sa kanila o hindi dahil alam ko ang nakita ko.

"Pero marami pong nakakalat na gamot sa kwarto niya. Meron pa siyang hawak sa kanyang kamay noong dinala ko siya rito."

"It's all a misunderstanding, ma'am. Hindi po gamot ang kanyang hawak kundi Vitamins. Hindi po ito nakaka overdose." Hindi ko na ipinagdiinan pa ang iba ko pang nalalaman.

I was already convinced with her words kaya sumama na lamang ako sa kanya hanggang sa makarating na kami sa loob.

It's a public hospital kaya ang isang kwarto ay anim ang pasyente na laging nasa loob. Ngunit sa room na ito ay dalawa lamang sila.

Si Madam at ang isang batang babae na kasalukuyang natutulog katabi ng isang dalaga.

Nang maiwan ako ng nurse sa loob ay nag diretso ako sa pwesto ni Madam at umupo sa malapit na upuan.

Is it really just a misunderstanding?

I know the situation she's in, right now. Her brother informed me and almost begged for me to stay by her side. Syempre umayaw ako dahil sa hindi ko ninanais na mas lalong mapalapit sa kanila.

Ayoko sa mga mayayamang katulad nila.

But here I am now, by her side, staring at her intently. We know each other because her mother and mine used to be close friends. Their friendship was so strong that my mother introduced me to her.

I was only six years old then, while she was already fifteen. She looked so much like her mother back then, and even now, the resemblance is striking.

However, her appearance has changed over the years, mirroring the transformation in her behavior.

It makes me wonder... What happened to her? Why did she become so... Empty, like a lifeless person without a soul?

Realizing that I had been staring at her, I quickly looked away. I decided to leave the hospital and buy some food, not for myself but for her.

As I stepped outside, I noticed the gradual brightening of the sky. It was already dawn, and it was fortunate that I had decided to leave when I did. I was lucky to have some money in my pocket.

At that moment, I couldn't help but reflect on her situation.

How had she ended up like this? What had she experienced to become so lost and disconnected from herself?

The questions swirled in my mind as I made my way to buy food, hoping that my small gesture would bring her some comfort in her time of need.

Nagtungo ako kaagad sa malapit na convenience store, bumili ako ng madaling lutuing pagkain at mga prutas na ihahayin ko sa kanya.

Nang makapagbayad ako at maiinit ang mga pagkain ay bumalik ako ng hospital at nagulat pa ako ng makita ko siyang gising at nagmamasahe ng ulo.

"Isn't it too early to wake up?" Dumeretso ako sa pwesto niya, inihayin ko sa upuan ang mga pagkain at maging ang mga prutas narin.

"Did you bring me here?" Tanong niya pabalik, hindi ako umimik at nagpatuloy sa aking ginagawa. Nakita ko siyang umupo at tumingin sa akin.

Kahit man gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na umiwas ng tingin ay hindi mo magagawa dahil sa ayokong umasal na para bang napaka gago kong tao.

"Go ahead and eat, I'll call the doctor for you."

\\

Samantha's POV

The food Jezreel brought me was unfamiliar, except for the tangerine and apple wrapped in eco-friendly paper. It was then that I realized I was in a hospital, noticing a child on a nearby bed.

Confusion clouded my mind as I pondered how I ended up in this situation. However, I pushed aside those thoughts and began to eat.

Initially skeptical, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the Pork Sisig on the paper plate.

The flavor was so exquisite that it momentarily made me forget everything else. I devoured the food eagerly, finishing it in mere minutes.

It was a culinary experience unlike any I'd had before, and I found myself craving more.

"Good morning, ma'am," greeted a doctor as he and Jezreel entered the room. I watched them approach, feeling a mix of curiosity, confusion, and bewilderment.

The doctor inquired about my well-being, and though I nodded in response, my attention remained fixed on him.

As he smiled at me and then at Jezreel, I couldn't help but feel even more puzzled. I was adrift in a sea of uncertainty, unsure of what had transpired, why I was there, and what would happen next.

"Why am I here exactly?" I inquired, noticing a shared glance between the doctor and Jezreel before they met my gaze.

"Ma'am Jezreel here thought you had done something harmful to yourself. She rushed in here with you in her arms, and now we're trying to understand what really happened," the doctor explained. Still feeling lost, I squinted my eyes and tilted my head in confusion.

Jezreel, perhaps sensing my bewilderment, spoke up.

"I entered your room and saw medicines scattered on the ground. Then I saw you lying there, motionless." Her words embarrassed me, realizing she had misunderstood the situation. I felt foolish for leaving things in such disarray.

"That's the situation. Now, we're wondering if you need some help. I can refer you to someone you can talk to," the doctor offered.

"It's fine, Doctor. It's all a misunderstanding... I was drunk and tried to take my vitamins because I forgot to do so before getting wasted. But I was too dizzy, and they slipped from my hand. I just left them there and went to sleep," I explained, trying to clarify the situation.

"But I saw you lying on the ground..." Jezreel interjected, prompting me to gather my courage to reveal the embarrassing truth.

I was fully aware of what had happened during my drunken state, and I chose to leave it unaddressed.

"I, uh, actually fell while sleeping. I was too lazy to get back up, so I slept on the floor," I admitted, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. The doctor chuckled, and Jezreel let out a heavy sigh, which only added to my discomfort.

Feeling utterly embarrassed, I wished I could just disappear.

"You've got to be kidding me," I heard Jezreel whisper under her breath.

After half an hour, I was discharged. We took a taxi back to the hotel, and I couldn't help but admire Jezreel's strength.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned, as I watched her massage her arms and shoulders. She shot me a glare that could freeze lava.

"I do wonder... God, this woman's gonna be the death of me," she muttered something under her breath, the words dripping with irritation.

"Are you saying something?" I inquired genuinely, hoping for a civil response. Instead, she chose to ignore me, brushing me off like an annoying fly.

I clicked my tongue in frustration, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me.

She was as cold as ice, an untamed bear ready to strike at any moment. An ice bear, that's what she was. Pale, cold, and colossal.

I couldn't help but compare her to Ice Bear, the character I admired. He was cool, calm, and collected-everything she was not.

The hospital was further away than I had realized, but we managed to return to the hotel in just 10 minutes, thanks to the lack of traffic at 6 am.

The road was nearly empty as we arrived back at the hotel. She marched inside, her steps heavy with what seemed like an annoyance.

There she goes again, being cold and distant.

Despite wanting to thank her for her concern, I couldn't muster the courage to talk to her. She always kept her distance, treating me as if I were dangerous.

No, she distanced herself from everyone, living in her own little world.

Entering my room, I felt foolish seeing my vitamins scattered around. I felt guilty for making her waste her time, energy, and efforts on me.

My room looked like a scene of a failed suicide attempt, which made me feel even more ridiculous.

I just wanted to disappear into the ground.

"Get out, I'm cleaning this room," she abruptly announced, startling me as she entered with a broom and cleaning supplies.

I watched her for a moment until she gave me a final glare-one that could weaken your knees.

"You need a hand?" I asked.

"Do I have no hand?"

"Pardon me..." I muttered as I left the room and headed to the kitchen. I grabbed a water bottle and drank it in one go, the memory of Jezreel's cold behavior lingering in my mind.

She was never like this before.

She used to be a shy and flustered toddler, sweet like an angel.

It makes me wonder... What happened to her? Why did she become so... cold?

Returning to my room, I saw her picking up the scattered vitamins as I shamelessly grabbed my phone and left her alone. Opening it, I was surprised to receive a notification right away.

Koala So-so

How dare you not inform me about your stay here? You little hoe!! See me later at night in this location.

This son of a b***h.

Tsk!