Embracing the Scars | ✓

6

When the call ended, I searched for the thermometer.

37.8°C

Sinubukan kong maupo bago sinapo ang ulo, ang sakit talaga. Saglit akong nakatitig sa kawalan bago ko inabot ang clamp at inayos ang buhok. I did my morning routine before going downstairs. Amoy ko pa ang niluluto kaya naman mas kumalam ang sikmura ko.

“Good morning nurse Lavienne,” bumati ako sa kanila bago umupo sa high chair at dumukdok. Gusto ko na lang matulog pero kailangan ko kasing uminom ng gamot kaya dapat akong kumain.

They served me my brunch but everything taste bitter. I know masarap iyon dahil ilang beses na rin akong nakakain ng luto nila pero wala talaga akong ibang malasahan bukod sa pait.

Plus the fact that I don’t have an appetite. I just forced myself to eat and bid goodbye after finishing my plate.

Natulog lang ako buong hapon, I woke up around seven when I heard few knocks from the door calling me for my late dinner since I was unresponsive earlier.

They thought I was busy doing some paperwork, little did they know, I was sleeping soundly.

I looked at my phone and saw some text messages and calls from my workmates. I was about to open a message from Doctor Balenciaga when I received a call.

“Yes Ma—”

“How are you?” It was Kristoff’s welcoming sentence after I answered his call.

“Were you busy? I called you several times but you’re not answering. How’s your body temperature? I suppose it’s not just cough, right?”

“Ikalma mo, isa isang tanong lang please. . .” Tawa ko.

“Alright, did you eat dinner?” Iba na naman ang tanong niya.

“Not yet,”

“And why is that?” I could see his eyebrows raising kahit hindi ko siya nakikita ngayon. Ang sungit kasi, tsk.

“Just woke up. I slept after reading,” I lied again. I heard him sigh before talking to his brother.

“Tell nanay Zenny to just send Lavienne’s food to her room.” He stated.

“Bakit hindi ikaw?” Rinig ko ang pang-aasar sa tono ng pananalita ni Logan.

“Kausap ko pa nga si Lav—”

“Daddy chill! Heto na tatawag na oh!” Tatawa-tawang aniya matapos ko siya marinig na humiyaw at ang pagbagsak ng kung ano. Binato yata ni Kristoff.

“Eat your dinner and please drink your meds, after that take a rest, okay?” He sounded like a doctor giving instruction for his patient in a ward.

Well, he is.

“I’ll call nanay Zenny to ask her to look after you, wait for your food in your room.” Then the line was cut.

I blinked my eyes before looking at my screen, the call finished. Bakit ganito? Hinawakan ko ang puso ko, mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko hindi dahil sa pag-ubo kundi dahil sa mga sinabi niya.

Goodness Lavienne, umayos ka.

I turned to hug my pillow tightly as I shut my eyes, muli ay sunod sunod akong napa-ubo. Heto na nga ba ang sinasabi ko.

Nangunot ang noo ko nang muling magring ang cellphone ko. Hindi ko muna iyon pinansin dahil kinakalabog ko pa ang dibdib ko.

Uminom muna ako ng tubig bago walang tinging sinagot ang tawag. Hindi ko rin gets ang trip ng asawa ko, ang sabi ay magpahinga ako pero tumawag na naman.