(Yours Series # 5) Always Yours (COMPLETED)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

I looked at my watch.

Gosh.

Chester's already waiting for me.

"Pasensya na..."

I looked at her, held her hand, and shook my head. "Dito lang po ako," I replied and pressed her hand and hoped that that made her feel better... somehow...

Today's the day. Ngayon iyong schedule namin ni Chester for our civil marriage. During my free time, iyong papers namin for that ang inayos ko. I actually planned today para makaalis ako nang maaga because I wanted to look good for him, of course. But... things happened. One of the kids I am closed with had a seizure and then one thing led to another and I couldn't leave... because before she got wheeled to the operating room, she asked me specifically to accompany her mom.

How could I leave after that?

I couldn't even get my phone to text Chester because that felt disrespectful. Her child's fighting for her life and I was texting someone. Mabuti na lang at nagpunta siya sa CR. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and immediately dialed Chester's number. He wasn't responding. May ginagawa siguro.

'Hey. Emergency. I can't leave.'

Nang lumabas si Elaine, she told me to call her that, she gave me a small smile, but even with her smiling, kitang-kita ko iyong pagod niya. I wasn't particularly close with her kasi minsan ko lang siya makita dito. Besides, hindi naman ako assigned talaga sa anak niya. But last holiday season nung namigay ako ng mga gifts for the kids, iyong anak niya iyong isa sa mga nabigyan ko. We got close after that. Kapag busy si Chester sa work niya, dito ako dumidiretso para makipagusap. She's a really nice kid... God, I hope she pulls through. Elaine's a single parent. She's all she has. I really hope she makes it again.

I felt my phone vibrating. Elaine was sitting right beside me.

"Baka may pupuntahan ka," she said.

"Eya told me to accompany you," I replied with a small smile. "She's a tough kid."

Elaine smiled again. Hindi siya nagsalita. Pagod na rin siya. It had been a full year for her and Eya. Dito na sila sa hospital nakatira. Sabi ni Eya, it's probably better this way kasi wala na rin daw silang apartment. Iyong gamit daw nila ay nabenta na halos para may pambayad ng medical bills.

Some are really just one medical emergency away from being broke and homeless—what a devastating reality.

We sat in silence while waiting for a news. Nakasandal lang iyong ulo ko sa pader. I was just watching as people pass by. My forehead creased when I saw Chester standing right before me. Medyo loading pa iyong isip ko because he looked so handsome! He was wearing a black slacks, white long sleeves, and brown derby shoes. He looked so good!

"What—" I said and then stopped. "How did you find me?"

"Find my iPhone," he replied. Oh... we registered each other nga pala dun. I mean, I didn't mind. Wala naman akong tinatago sa kanya. And hindi ko rin naman chine-check iyon unless kailangan. Nasa hospital lang naman kami palagi.

"Chester, this Rhea," I introduced. "Rhea, this is Chester. He works here, too."

Chester looked at her and gave her a small smile. Tumayo muna ako. We walked for a few seconds and stopped at the end of the hall. I looked at my fiancé apologetically.

"I'm sorry," I said.

He shrugged. "You said emergency."

I nodded. "It is!" sabi ko. "You remember Eya?" I asked because sometimes kapag hinahanap niya rin ako, nakikita niya ako sa room ni Eya. Although he doesn't stay there for long kasi Chester's not really into kids. Mas preferred niya talaga ang matatanda. Bagay talaga siya sa IM.