The Greatest Stripper (Published Under PSICOM)

Chapter 22

DOWN

"Tubig El," I glanced at Rie as she tapped my back and handed me a bottle of water, she urged a smile and tried to lighten the mood.

Hinawi ko ang buhok ko paitaas bago ito tinanggap at uminom ng konti, nasa loob pa rin hanggang ngayon sila Lynus, hindi ko magawang lunukin ng maayos ang tubig na ininom ko dahil patuloy pa rin ang pagtibok ng mabilis ang puso ko.

Natatakot ako at naiinis dahil pinabayaan ko si Tabitha, hindi ko na sana siya pinayagan lumabas.

"Umupo ka nga!" napalingon ako kay Six ng bigla niyang hilahin paupo sa gitna namin si Erille, "Aray!" singhal ni Rie sa kanya bago ako hinarap at hinawakan ang aking mga kamay. Nanatili kaming tatlong tahimik hanggang sa lumabas si Lynus.

"Kamusta si Tabitha?" tanong ko at agad siyang nilapitan, "She's fine now, it's normal she runs along with kids outside, so it's normal to expect that she'll faint," he said as he gently put his hands on my shoulders, and gave me an assuring gaze.

I nodded at him and mouthed the word thank you before we enter Tabi's room, Umupo ako sa tabi niya at hinawakan ang kanyang maliit na kamay, I slowly rub stroking her hair up and whisper. "Tinakot mo nanaman si Mommy."

"Louen, uuwi ako sa bahay para ikuha ng pamalit si Tabitha ngayong gabi, saglit lang ako," sambit ni Rie kaya napalingon kami sa kanya, I nodded and continue staring at my daughter.

"Samahan na kita," I heard Six said and stand up, "Hindi na kaya ko naman," sagot ni Rie. "Samahan na kita dami mong satsat," sambit ni Six at hinila na palabas si Rie kaya naiwan ako at si Lynus dito sa loob ng silid.

She was sleeping peacefully but her face looked so pale, "I hate seeing you in this place Tabi, If only Mommy can make the pain go away, I will do it," I whisper, leaning my head through the side of the bed.

"You know you can't do that; no one can do that Louen," Lynus whispered as he sat beside me and stared at my daughter. Tiningnan ko siya na puno ng panghihina at dahan-dahang sumandal sa kanyang balikat.

"You can take her home tomorrow, so take a rest," he whispers and that's the last thing I heard before I have fallen asleep, naalimpungatan na lang ako ng may nararamdaman akong kumikiliti sa aking palad.

I slowly opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Tabi giggling while tickling my palm with her fingers. "Tabi," I utter and sit properly; she covers her face and giggles so loud. Napatingin ako sa paligid at nakita si Rie at Six na nag aayos ng pagkain sa lamesa habang si Lynus naman ay tinitingnan si Tabitha na patuloy pa rin sa pagtawa.

"Are you ok? Do you feel tired? Do you want water? Is there something ouchy?" agad kong tanong kay Tabitha pero tila wala itong inintindi sa sinasabi ko at panay pa rin ang pagtawa.

Lynus smiles because of her smile, "She's absolutely fine now right Tabi?" he asked her, Tabi noted while still covering her face from me. "Why are you covering your face from Mommy?" I ask, reaching for her wrist and trying to see her face.

When I successfully remove her small hands on her face, lahat kami ay natigilan bago nagtawanan ng makitang may drawing siya ng mustache sa kanyang mukha. "Tabi," I utter and she just giggles.

"I'm strong Mommy, I have mustache huhu," she said that makes us more laugh, after that we ate and I feed Tabi until she finishes a whole bowl of porange, hindi naman niya kailangan ma confine ng matagal dito sa hospital dahil sabi ni Lynus normal ito dahil meron siyang anemia.

That's why after eating we head home at hindi na kami naihatid ni Lynus dahil may pasyente sila sa hospital, "Aalis na ako babalik na lang ako bukas dito bago ako byahe pabalik ng manila bukas ng hapon," sambit ni Six ng tumayo siya sa harapan ng pinto.