Ambushed Heart

Nine

"A-Anong ginagawa mo d-dito?"

"Why? You dont want me here? Bakit dadating ba ang boyfreind mo?" Inilagay niya ang basket na puno ng prutas sa table na nasa side ng bed na kinahihigaan ko.

"No, that' not what I mean to say---"

"It's okay, I'll leave immediately"

"D-don't leave" I said in whisper just enough for him to hear it. So he turn his gaze to me.

"I just came here because Hiro says so, I still have important things to do for this day, so yeah, I'm leaving"

Akmang pipihitin na niya ang door knob ng hospital room ko ay nagsalita ako.

"Will you came back?"

Napatigil siya sa akmang pagbukas ng pinto.

He sighed.

"We'll see" he said without even looking at me, then he immediately exited the room that I am in.

Mapait akong napangiti.

Why do I feel this way? 

Why do I feel down knowing that he's only here because Hiro told him?

And why would Hiro told him to come here?

He's worried of me again, I see.

Even if it hurts at walang kasiguraduhan ay hinintay ko siya.

I waited for seconds. Seconds that turns to minutes and minutes turns to hours hanggang sa napatingin ako sa bintana ng hospital na nakabukas, its already dark outside but there's no sign of Clever, he didn't came back. No single trace of him.

My gaze turn to the room's door when the lock click, someone enter the room.

"Hey, you okay?"

It's Hiro and Chad.

"Hey, you two are back! Finally!" I said pretending to be happy.

Hiro sighed.

"Dont pretend in front of me Amélie, I know you, I am your family right? tell me what happened?"

"Clever visited, but he was in a hurry and I thought he would came back but he never. And I hate having this heavy feeling knowing that he didn't came back, tell me Hiro, who is he to me?"

"I want to tell you Amélie, but I dont want you to bleed again, remember? Lets take it slow, You'll remember soon, I promise."

"Oka---" my words halted when the room's door opened showing the person that I've been waiting for hours.

Clever.

My heart pounded and my mood instantly lit up just by seeing him and the thought that he really came back!

"Ahm, Clev, can we talk?" My gaze turn to Hiro when he said that.

"Sure"

"I mean in private, just you and me"

"Hiro"

"its okay Amélie, we'll just talk"

Clever sighed.

"Okay" he then exited the room.

"I'll just talk to him, behave okay? If you need anything dont hesitate to tell Chad"

"Okay"

Hiro messed my hair and kissed Chad before exiting the room as well to follow Clever.

"Hey you okay? How do you feel?" Chad asked me as he sat on the chair facing my hospital bed.

"I dont know but I felt happy all of a sudden. I know its because I saw him, he do makes me happy even just by seeing him. I'm happy Chad, it seems like he is a big part of my life, like I depend on him to make me happy"

"That's good, please always be happy. Just take it slowly ang remember him."

"I will be. At sana maging maayos ang pag sasama nyo ni Hiro, he's the best brother, do take care of him"

"Taking care if him--- I would do that with pleasure, thank you nga pala sa pagtulong kay Hiro about sa proposal, I'm so happy right now but please sana wala nang acting, halos mamatay ako sa pag aalala at alam mo bang pinapatay na kita sa isip ko! Alam mo mag artista ka nalang sa Crescent panigurado lagi kang may oscar awards at siguradong marami kang fans hahaha"

"Hahaha, But youre happy now thats what's important isn't it? I'm happy for you and Hiro, and what can I say? Acting is my middle name. Hahha"

"So cocky, but yeah, Of course I am happy, finally He'll be officially mine and that would be very soon, thank yo--"

Chad's words were cut off when the door to my hospital room was slammed very hard showing the panting Clever.

"Si Hiro---"

"W-what happenned?"

"Where's Hiro?"

Chad and I said in unison.

"He lost conciousness, The doctors are taking care of him"

With what Clever said agad agad kong hinugot ang IV na nakakonekta sa palapulsuhan ko at agad na sumunod kay Chad na lumabas.

When we reached a certain hospital room we stopped and Chad talk to the doctor.

"Kalispéra, Poia eínai i oikogéneia tou asthenoús?

"English only please"

"Oh, good evening, who's the family of the patient?"

"I am his sister"

"And I am his fiance doc, what happened to him, is he okay?"

"oh, The patient's vital signs are all good and normal, the cause of all this that rendered his conciousness is stress and exhaustion, but were still running some test to make sure of everything"

Hiro is stress? Why?

Exhaustion? Ano bang ginawa niya para ma exhaust?

"Okay doc, thank you. Please let me know whatever the result is"

"Sure I will, first thing in the morning tomorrow please excuse me. I still have some patient to attend to"

"Thanks doc"

"Thank you"

Chad and I said in chorous and the doctor leave and so we entered Hiro's room.

Hiro's asleep and his face is calm, far from being stress and exhausted.

Sana naman okay lang siya.

Chad sat on the chair and faced Hiro. He hold his hand and kissed the back of it.

No one's speaking, just pure silence and worries for Hiro.

"Chad, can I and Hiro move to a private room? Medyo magaling naman na ako, the doctor said kailangan ko nalang magpahinga to regain my energy"

"Oh, sure. Hiro would be happy to see you beside him, I'll go talk to the----"

"No, dont bother, ako na ang bahala. Ako na ang kakausap"

"You sure?"

"Yeah, of course. Bantayan mo nalang si Hiro"

"Okay, thank you"

"No worries"

Akmang lalabas na ako ng room ni Hiro nang mapatigil ako sa paglingon ko palang nang makita ko si Clever who's looking at me intently.

I just smiled at him and made my way out.

But my steps halted whe  he stops me.

"I'll do it, just stay here"

"Ah it's okay, kaya ko naman na"

"No, you stay here"

"Are you sure? Okay lang sayo?"

"Yeah, sige na pumasok ka na ulit, I'll talk to the doctors"

With what Clever said, I immediately go back to Hiro's room.

"Why are you back so fast? Tapos na ba?"

"Ahm, no. Pinupuntahan palang ni Clever, siya nalang daw bahala"

"Oh"

Said Chad. He is still holding Hiro's hand. He looks worried of Hiro.

"Dont worry, he's fine, he's strong. I'm sure it's nothing serious"

Chad sighed.

"I hope too"

After that, there was a defining silence. Minutes later Clever entered the room together with a nurse.

Everything goes on fast and smoothly.

Hiro was transferred to a private room with two beds.

Because it' already late at night Clever bid goodbye to us and Chad sleeps beside Hiro who's still unconcious, medyo malaki naman kasi ang kama.

Hours had past and I still can't sleep, I dont know what's holding me to stay awake. Nang hindi talaga ako makatulog ay dahan dahan akong bumangon at lumabas ng silid na kinaroroonan ko.

Nang makalabas ako ay agad na tumuon ang mga mata ko sa wall clock.

It's already 10:50 PM, mag aalas onsi na pala.

Still wearing my hospital gown I immediately made my way to go out. I am walking without direction and no definite destination.

Di ko namalayan na dinala na pala ako ng mga paa ko sa pinakababa ng hospital.

Maganda siguro tingnan ang buwan at mga bituin ngayon.

Sa isiping iyon ay dali dali akong naglakad patungo sa glass door ng hospital, at nang makalabas ako ay agad na natigil ako sa paglalakad.

Clever!

He is running from the left side of the hospital. Everything wents blurry and his movement becomes slow, he stops running when he reached me. Face to face with him and seeing tears rolling down from his cheeks made my heart ache.

I then slowly brushed away those tears using my hands but tears after tears keeps on streaming down.

"Are you okay? What happened to you? Tell me"

"I'm soryy, I'm sorry. Iam not strong enough to protect you. Im sorry kasi pinairal ko yung galit ko, Im sorry kasi makasarili ako. I am so sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry please forgive----"

"Hey, hey, what's wrong? Bakit ka ba nag sososrry? You did not do anything wrong---"

I coudnt finish my sentence when a set of soft lips was pressed unto mine. It sent my body in cloud nine and there's this tingling sensation that I felt inside my stomach. My heart raced and I literally felt breathless.

I was so shocked. Days ago lang ayaw niya akong makita but now he is kissing me and I am in so much shock.

Nang mag hiwalay ang mga labi namin ay nanlalaki parin ang mga mata ko habang bahagya namang nakabukas ang bibig ko.

Earning a kiss from Clever so unexpectedly really feels good. I cant explain the feeling of satisfation and the feeling of wanting more. Yes! I want more of his kisses.

Napabalik ako sa realidad nang may malamig na kamay ang humaplos sa mga pisngi ko. Its Clever.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito sa labas? Gabi na you should be sleeping and resting by now"

"I-I ahm I c-cant sleep, kaya lumabas muna ako para magpahangin"

He playfully messed my hair and chuckled. 

One word to describe it, SEXY!

"Come on I'll walk you to your room, you should sleep. Let's talk tomorrow, okay?"

Clever said as he brushed away his own tears.

"Why are you crying? Are you okay?"

"Haha, I'm fine, I'm actually happy. Let's talk tomorrow for now you should rest"

"Okay" was all I can say. Masaya pero umiiyak? Tears of joy?

After that ay agad akong inalalayan ni Clever pasakay sa elevator upang ihatid kami nito sa pang limang floor ng hospital kung saan naroroon ang room namin ni Hiro.

Naging tahimik ang pagpapunta namin sa room, hanggang sa makarating kami sa harap ng silid na inuukupa namin ay wala paring nagsasalita, I just dont know what to say. I am confused as to why Clever did that. One day he's mad and now he just kissed me! Bipolar ba to? 

"I'll be back fist thing in the morning"

Clever said as he kissed my forehead. And there goes my heart again, thumping like crazy, beating eratically and jumping as if it has legs.

I just nod with what he said at saka ko siya hinatid ng tingin. Nang mawala siya sa paningin ko ay agad akong pumasok sa silid at humiga at natulog. Thankfully ay agad akong dinalaw ng antok na kanina ko pa tinatawag.

When I woke up ay kumakain na si Hiro at ganun din si Chad.

"Hey Amélie, youre awake. Morning"

"Morning Amélie, halika sabay ka nang kumain sa amin"

"Good morning to you two, anong oras na ba ang aga nyo atang kumain? Atsaka kumusta ang pakiramdam mo Hiro? Bakit ka ba nawalan ng malay kahapon? Okay ka lang ba? You're making us worried."

"I'm okay, just a lil' bit stressed these past few days" Hiro chuckled. "Tsaka Alas nuebe trenta y nuebe na uy"

"Ganun ba? Im sorry for stressing you----"

"no, its not because of you. Kumain ka nalang para matuwa ako sayo" Hiro joked.

Clever said he'll be here---

"Dumaan nga pala si Clever kaninang mga alas siete pero tulog ka pa at ayaw ka naman niyang gisingin kaya nag iwan nalang siya ng pagkain at prutas, babalik daw siya mamaya may aasikasuhin lang daw saglit"

It is Chad who spoke this time.

I dont know but hearing it feels like magic that lifted up my mood. Agad din akong kumain ng pagkain na dala daw ni Clever.

When I finished eating agad akong naglinis ng katawan sa loob ng room namin kung saan may C.R

Nang lumabas ako ay agad akong bumalik sa pagkakahiga. Tulog na ulit si Hiro, its weird hindi naman kasi antukin si Hiro eh, oh well baka pagod lang.

"He's sleep again? How's he?"

"As I observed ay okay naman, the vital signs are still normal like what the doctors said yesterday but the result of his test are not yet out"

Mahabang lintaya ni Chad. He is clearly worried.

"He's okay"

"Thank you"

We stopped talking when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in"

Its the doctor!

"Good morning"

"Good morning doc"

"Morning doc"

"The results of his tests are out"

With what the doctor said agad kaming naging attentive ni Chad sa bawat sinasabi ng doctor.

"Does the patient have a wife by any chance?" That is the question that the doctor first asked that clearly annoyed Chad.

"Doc, cant you remember what I just said Yesterday? Well, let me repeat it! I. AM. THIS. MAN'S. FIANCE"

May diin ang bawat salitang binibitawan ni Chad.

"Im sorry about that, what I mean is that is there a surrogate mother that you get and he's sperm was used?"

"Just tell it to me straight doc"

"Well, as we can see the patient is experiencing a pregnant symtoms like major weight gain, altered hormone levels, morning nausea, and disturbed sleep patterns. as like what you have said to us so as I analyzed these I came out with a thought that maybe he is experiencing this symptoms because of a pregnant woman that is very close to him." the doctor said while looking to Chad.

"Are you saying that my fiance is experiencing Couvade syndrome? But that's impossible doc, we dont have a pregnant woman in our house"

"That is what I am seeing but If that's the case we have to run some tests on him again like blood test as well as the urinary test and then a full body x-ray that is if you agreed"

"I'll talk to my fiance first doc"

"Okay, I'll be in my office if you need anything just came to me"

"Yes doc"

"Thanks doc"

Nang mawala ang doctor sa silid namin ay naihilamos nalang ni Chad ang kamay niya sa sarili niyang mukha.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Honestly no. Why would he experience couvade syndrome eh wala namang buntis sa bahay, what if---"

"Dont even think about it Chad, walang babae si Hiro, malamang may iba pang explanation sa nangyayari sakanya he loves you"

"I know and I love him too"

"Then let's trust him"

"I will---"

"Hey babe you're awake"

"Chad" 

Agad na bumangon si Hiro mula sa pagkakahiga.

"Babe you okay? How do you feel?"

"I'm good, I am feeling light ahm can you get me an apple?"

Apple? He seldoms eat apple because of the saying 'One apple, one step away from the doctor' and he is a doctor.

"Sure thing babe" agad naman na inabot ni Chad ang apple na nasa gilid ng bed ni Hiro at hinugasan ito pagkatapos ay ibinigay kay Hiro na agad namang kinain ng huli.

"Babe, wala ka bang nararamdamang kakaiba? Mga nararamdamang bago sayo? Wala ka bang hindi sinasabi sa akin? Kay Amélie?"

Sa sinabi ni Chad ay agad na napalingon si Hiro sakanya.

"what are you talking about?" Medyo naguguluhang tanong ni Hiro.

"You are experiencing a symtoms of a couvade syndrome and The doctor said they want to have a full body x-ray on you to---"

"No!"

"Hiro, we need to do it to make sure you're fine"

"I dont have couvade syndrome, I'm sure of it! Wala namang buntis sa bahay, Chad, I want to go home"

"Babe--"

"Chad, Amélie I dont have couvade syndrome, I have---no let's talk about it in the house, so please take me home now"

"Babe, you okay?"

"Hiro, okay ka lang ba talaga?"

"Magiging okay lang ako kung inilabas nyo ako sa hospital na to!"

Nagulat kaming pareho ni Chad sa pagsigaw ni Hiro, he is always calm and he never shouted to us. Lalo na sa akin.

"I'm sorry I just want to go home"

"Okay, uuwi na tayo"

Said Chad while hugging Hiro.

Nang lumabas na si Chad ay agad akong lumapit ka Hiro.

"Hey, ayos ka lang ba? Nag aalala lang kami sayo"

"I know, and I'm sorry for shouting, its just that---"

"Hey hey its okay"

I hugged Hiro. He seems afraid at halatang naguguluhan.

I dont know what he's going through but I promise to be with him no matter what.

Ganun ang naabutan ni Chad ng pumasok siya sa silid namin.

"Nabayaran ko na lahat ng bills, pwede na tayong umuwi"

Naging tahimik ang biyahe namin pauwi sa bahay.

Akmang dederetso ako papasok ng kuwarto ko nang magsalita si Hiro.

"Can I talk to both of you?"

"Ahm, sure"

"What is it babe? Come on tell us, we are your family"

Nakita ko ang medyo pag aalinlangan sa mukha niya ngunit nag uumapaw ang determinasyon na masabi sa amin ni Chad ang gusto niyang sabihin.

"You know Hiro, you can tell that some other time---"

"No Amélie, Matagal ko nang tinatago ang sikretong ito. I even used some people t-to, to hide my true identity. Ayaw ko nang sarilinin to ng mas matagal pa. I ahm I havent t-told anyone about it, not even Amélie or Chad, afraid of the j-judgement that I may get---"

"Hiro, I am your sister, the last thing I'll do is to judge you"

"I-I know, pero naging duwag ako kaya hindi ko sinabi, I am afraid to lose my one and only family if you know about it.. I'm sorry"

"Babe, you need to rest first tsaka nalang natin pag usapan---"

"No!"

He shouted.

"I'm sorry, but I want to tell it to both of you. Kayong dalawa ay importante sakin. I want to be honest. Ako lang ang tanging nakakaalam nito hindi ko hinayaang malaman ito ng iba kasi I want to live normally, far from the judgement of other people"

"Tell it straight to us babe"

"Amélie? Chad? I-I am pregnant"