"PSYCHOLOGICAL shock. Her emotions are shutting down. We need to put her under the cesarean section to get the baby out before it's too late."
Hindi kumikibo si Vladimir habang mahigpit na hawak ang kamay ni Glen at pinakikinggan ang paliwanag ni Ghaile. Gusto niyang ibalik ang oras. Sana may kakayahan siyang gawin iyon. He's been a big jerk. He could have told her about it and explained. Siguradong papakinggan naman siya ng asawa. Hearing that he had another wife was certainly a terrible blow on her.
"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." Dinala niya sa bibig ang mga kamay ng asawa at paulit-ulit na hinagkan. She has bruises on her forehead and her elbows. She probably protecting their baby when she fell down.
"Wala kang dapat ipag-alala sa bata. Malakas pa rin ang tibok ng puso niya." Dumantay sa balikat niya ang kamay ng kapatid.
"He's just eight months, Ghaile." Protista niyang naglalaro sa isip ang hindi katanggap-tanggap na posibilidad.
"Almost nine months, Vlad. Malakas ang anak mo. Kakayanin niya."
Mayroon pa ba siyang ibang pagpipilian? He took a deep breath, taking in the pain and regrets inside. "I'm counting on you. Please save them both. I don't know how I supposed to bear it if I had to lose any of them." The shaking from within hasn't been subsided. Hindi niya alam kung alin ang mas masakit. Ang kasusuklaman ng asawa habangbuhay o ang mawalan ng anak na labis niyang pinananabikan.
"Leave it to us." Pinisil ni Ghaile ang kanyang balikat at iniwan siya para ihanda ang operating room.
Her picture in his mind this morning is very clear. Her black hair sprawling in their shared pillows. When she opened her eyes and smiled at him telling him her funny dreams. Their love-making before they went out of bed. The calm way she listened to their son's heartbeat through the stethoscope. Her crazy laugh when the baby kicked. Their moments at the church.
When she's with him, he magically becomes a man who ables to set aside anything equally. Work. Worries. When she's with him, he is free like clouds. Kasi walang ginagawa ang asawa kundi patawanin siya, pasabugin ang puso niya sa saya at pagmamahal.
"Glen," yumukyok siya sa pagkakaupo sa bench sa labas ng operating room at mahigpit na isinara ang mga mata. He failed to freeze the melting emotions back to the alley of his eyes. "I'm sorry, steamed bud. Forgive me."
"Vladimir!"
Nag-angat siya ng ulo nang marinig ang boses ni Athrun. Kasama nito sina Gabrylle at Rajive.
"Chairman," tumayo siya.
"What happened?" Agad nitong usisa matapos sumulyap sa operating room.
Umiling siya. "Maya Tuazon came to our house this afternoon."
"Maya who?" Sabat ni Gabrylle na kumunot ang noo.
"The girl from the Buhid tribe. The one I'm entering into a covenant with thirteen years ago." Ibinagsak niya ang sarili sa dingding.
"Yeah, I remember. Is it active until now? Akala ko ba noong bumisita ka rito five years ago, pinawalang-bisa mo na sa tribu ang kasal ninyo?" Pakli ni Athrun at sinilip ang ipinakita ni Rajive sa cellphone nito.
Si Gabrylle naman ay nagtungo sa sulok para sagutin ang isang tawag.
"I did." Nagtagis siya ng bagang. Malamang hindi pa nagawi roon sa tribu si Maya kaya hindi pa nito alam na pina-nullify niya ang kasal nila.
"Maybe she has no idea yet. Somebody has to tell her," pahayag ni Athrun na umiling at tinapik siya sa braso. "This is going to pass. Don't lose your ground over this."
CITEȘTI
NS 03: THE COVENANT ✅ (Published)
DragosteHe is a formidable boss. She is a tough virgin. His devotion to the cause of his clan knows no bounds. Her advocacy for the Mangyan people is remarkable. A man who will put his family above his desire. A woman who is willing to do anything to defend...
