EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART

CHAPTER 9: Nightmare

"MAAAAAA!"

The child's scream made others to be lost in absolute fear. Most of the kids knew that being with those people who wore scrubsuits and white coat will really bring them pain like what they do in hospitals.

"MAMA! AYOKO NA! UWI NA TAYO!"

The boy screamed like his body was rebelling against the hypodermic needle that pierced his skin. He craved for his Mom's cuddle as he keep on shouting while holding unto her mother's hands.

Arylle could see those children's face, red and wet with tears, terror in their eyes, crying in severe pain and fear.

Welcome to manhood baby boys! Tiis lang! Buti nga kayo tinutuli lang eh! Kaming mga babae, ilang beses manganganak.

The circumcision day in the island was ongoing. Boys waiting nervously in line, others are screaming and crying.

"Binata ka na anak! Parang kagat lang ng langgam yan eh! Diba matapang ka?" The notion of manhood embedment wherein this removal of penile foreskin of Filipino young boys was always a part of childhood transition to adulthood.

"NAAAAAAY!"

His eyes wide with horror, the mouth rigid and open, his pale face, his fists clenched, and the nails digging deeply into the palms of his hand.

"NAAAAAAAY!" The scream came again, desperate and terrified. Adrenaline surged through his veins, fight or flight, stand or run, be a hero or a coward. His fingers curled around the handle of Drake's scalpel.

"Ooops! Muntik ka na sa blade! Lorie! Halika nga dito! Ikaw na lang ang mag-assist sa akin. Parang wala sa sarili yung nurse ko eh." Mabuti na lang ay natanggal ni Drake ang daliri ng bata mula sa scalpel.

"Yes Dok!" Mabilis na tugon ni Lorie.

"Move! I don't need you here." Malamig na sabi ni Drake kay Arylle.

"Dok..." Pero hindi siya pinansin ng binata.

"Drake..." Si Arylle lamang ang tanging nurse na nakakatawag sa binata ng ganoon sa loob ng AMC.

"I said move! Do I need to remove you from where you are standing Arylle? Don't provoke me!" Bulong nito sa dalaga kasabay ng matatalim na titig nito.

Its been three days since her love confession to Drake. The biggest mistake she ever made that night was to confess her feelings to him.

"Sorry Dok Drake..."

"Umalis ka na nga dito para matapos na ako. Madami pang batang nakapila." Hindi man lang siya tinapunan ng binata ng tingin.

"Dok Drake..." Marahan niyang hinawakan ang kamay ng binata.

"I told you not to touch me again! Huwag mo akong antaying magalit Arylle. Iba ako magalit. Umalis ka dito sa harapan ko bago pa-"

"I need you there Arylle. Can you help me?" Sumingit si Nathan bigla pero hindi siya pinansin ng dalaga. Malapit ng tumulo ang luha niya kaya nagtatakbo siya palayo mula sa mga tao.

"Arylle!" Sinubukan siyang habulin ni Nathan pero mas mabilis pa ito sa inaakala niya.

Nagpatuloy lang si Drake sa ginagawa niya at hindi man lang nilingon kung saan patungo ang dalaga. Wala siyang panahon para habulin ito. Kahit pa gusto niya itong habulin, hindi niya gagawin. Walang ibang paraan para makalimutan siya ni Arylle kundi ang pag-iwas at ang pagiging malamig nito sa kanya.

"Sobra ka naman Drake! Do you really need to do that? Ilang araw ka ng ganyan sa kanya. Hindi ka ba naaawa kay Arylle? Ganun ba kalaki ang kasalanan niya sayo? You can reject her straightly! Sabihin mo na ayaw mo sa kanya. Na hindi kayo magwo-work out as a couple. Na ikaw ang problema at hindi siya. You don't need to be rude."