In the Midst of the Crowd (Loser #1)

Chapter 40

Dedicating this chapter to Inks of Inksteady! Thank you for your package <3

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I felt him grab my shoulders and gently push me away.

Parang may tumusok sa puso ko nang gawin niya iyon. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at sumalubong sa akin ang matinding galit sa mata niya. I couldn't read his expression well because of my hazy vision, but at that time, I was sure that his eyes were filled with rage.

"Where is she?" he asked, gritting his teeth.

"S-sa St. Josep—"

He cut me off. Pabalang niyang isinarado ang pinto at tinalikuran ako. Mabilis siyang naglakad palayo. Mabigat ang mga hakbang at tila nagmamadali. As I watched his back turn away from me, I had a hard time pulling myself back to reality. My heart was throbbing in so much pain. Hindi ko alam kung para sa kanya o para sa akin. I brushed my tears off and inhaled deeply before following him.

Sa loob ng elevator ay rinig ko ang mabibigat na paghinga niya. I couldn't look at him. Para kasing isang salita ko pa ay sasabog na siya sa galit. I glanced at his tightly closed fist and my heartbeat doubled. I knew he had every right to be mad, but I don't think I could handle his anger now that Gayle is sick.

I pathetically followed him to the parking lot. No words were getting in between us. Sumakay siya sa kotse at kahit walang abiso niya ay sumakay rin ako. I was shaking in fear, both of Gayle's condition and of his wrath.

Nakarating kami sa ospital nang walang imikan. Nauna siyang bumaba sa akin at halos mapaigtad ako sa lakas ng pagsasarado niya ng pinto. I sat there for a second, feeling a lot of things, before deciding to follow him.

Pagkapasok sa loob ng ospital ay nakita ko agad siya na kausap ang pediatrician ni Gayle sa nurses' station. I walked towards them to learn the procedure. Mamaya ko na iisipin ang galit ni Kobe. Sa ngayon ay kailangang masalinan ng dugo ang anak namin.

He talked to him about Gayle's condition. Nakatulala lang ako habang nakikinig sa kanila. Gayle's blood type is A-, and she could receive A- or O-, but those two were out of supply because of their rarity and high demand. Maayos naman sa aking naipaliwanag ng doctor ang lahat pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang matakot sa kapakanan ni Gayle.

"Please transfer her to a private room," Kobe said. "Let's start."

Isang beses tumango sa akin ang doctor bago i-assist si Kobe. I wanted to thank him, but my mouth failed me. Pumunta ako sa ward ni Gayle para maasikaso ang paglipat niya. Eddie was there with her, looking at me with concern. Umiling lang ako dahil ayoko munang pag-usapan ang nangyari.

Ilang sandali lang ay sinamahan na kami ng tatlong nurse papunta sa private room ni Gayle. She was sleeping, unaware that her father was here to ensure her health.

Gayle's room was clean and spacious. Malaki ang kama at may floor-to-ceiling na salamin kung saan kita ang ilang pasyente na naglalakad sa garden. May mahaba ring couch sa gilid at 42-inches na TV sa tapat ng kama. Even the bed table was different. It was bigger than the one from the ward. Kung titingnang mabuti ay halos kasing laki na iyon ng apartment namin.

"Girl, uuna na muna ako. Magpapa-exam ako ngayon sa major. Kaya mo na ba?" tanong ni Eddie nang maiayos namin si Gayle.

Tumango ako. "Salamat, ha?"

"Wala 'yon. Pupuntahan ulit kita rito bukas. May gusto ka bang kainin?"

I smiled sadly. "Hindi na. Sumabay ka na lang kina Ate Kat pagbalik."

"Sure ka?"

I nodded. He hugged me and kissed Gayle on the cheek before leaving the room. May isang nurse na naiwan sa loob at naisip ko agad na siguro ay nag-request ng personal nurse si Kobe para sa bata.