Her Sweet Redemption

27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN | SECOND CHANCE

Lauren

"YOU NEED TO AVOID things, events, even a person that causes you stress, Lauren. You're on your third month, and you have to be a little more careful, no, be extra careful. Some first-time moms experience anxiety and panic attacks, but I won't say it's normal. You must always remember to take care of yourself and the baby."

Napatingin ako kay Ritter na nakatayo malayo sa aking kama. He's the first person attended me when I bled out a while ago. And the reason why I bled. Dinala niya ako agad sa ospital para malapatan ng lunas. I'm lucky that he chose to stay behind close doors. If no one was there, I may be lost my baby.

"Whenever you feel panicking, do this relaxing breathing routine. It's called the 4-7-8 breathing technique; breathing in for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds." Nakita ko na binalingan niya si Ritter. "She's stubborn, and you always keep an eye on her." Dagdag na sabi pa ni Jaypee pero kay Ritter nakatingin.

"Is our baby okay?" Narinig ko na tanong ni Ritter kay Jaypee. Jaypee became my private doctor since he quitted working that health center where we met. Siya iyong na-involve sa isyu ng hiwalayan namin ni Ritter kaya narito ako sa Oak Island ngayon, mag-isa.

Our baby... Ang sarap pakinggan pero alam ko naman nagiging territorial lang siya ngayon dahil nasa tabi ko si Jaypee.

"Yes, the baby is okay, but she has to rest well, and again, remember the breathing technique that I taught you, Lauren; please do it when anxiety attacks."

Iyong breathing technique na tinuro din ng therapist ko kaso mali ang naalala ni Summer. I'm too clouded a while ago to remember either, blinded by anger and panic.

Marahang tinapik ni Jaypee ang balikat ko bago nag paalam na aalis na. Agad ko inayos ang aking sarili ngunit nahinto nang tumunog ang aking cellphone. Si Mommy ang natawag kaya sinagot ko agad.

"Hey Mom, I'm all right and the baby is fine," sabi ko agad bago niya ako sermonan. Bago nila ako iwan ni Daddy mahigpit nila ako binilinan na mag-ingat. Sa tuwing tatawag sila iyon din ang bilin sa akin.

"Hindi kami mapakali ng Dad mo kaya papunta na kami diyan. It's weekend, so we will bring Iona with us."

Sinabi pa ng Mommy na boarding na sila kaya tinapos na ang tawag namin. Mamaya na lang daw kami mag-usap pagdating nila. Saktong na-lowbat ang cellphone pagkatapos ng tawag namin. Dahan-dahan ako bumaba sa kama at madali akong nilapitan ni Ritter.

"I can manage, Ritter. Please, don't come near me," malumanay ko sabi sa kanya.

Ayoko ulit magalit kaya malalim akong huminga. Tiningnan ko ang damit ako nakita ang bakas ng dugo doon. I don't have my cardigan with me since I removed it when I enter the house. Napatingin ako kay Ritter ngunit agad din akong umiwas. I hugged myself and start walking outside the emergency room.

Kailangan ko pa magpunta sa billing area para bayaran ang na-consume ko na serbisyo nitong ospital. Napakalamig naman dito sa ospital. Ngunit unti-unti iyon napalis nang may pumatong na makapal na trench coat sa aking balikat.

"I'll pay the bill. Wait for me on the side." Aalma sana ako ngunit naunahan niya ako agad. "Please, let me do this. You don't need to talk to me regularly if that will give you relief. Just let me make it with you. It won't be easy, but I'll make things work for us. I'm sorry for complaining last night and today. I'm sorry."

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita at hinayaan na lamang si Ritter. Baka pagod lang ako kaya hinayaan ko na lang.

Baka.