The Heart of a Wounded Soldier

CHAPTER 36

Ikatatlumpu't Anim na Kabanata: Unmasked

Whispers...

I am hearing whispers from several men.

They are arguing.

I want to ask who they are but my body feels so numb.

I want to get up but the bed is too comfortable. I want to speak but I feel dizzy.

I want to sleep...

Can I sleep?

Wait... where am I again?

"Pwede bang hinaan niyo ang boses niyo? Baka magising siya."

This isn't my usual bed. This isn't the smell of my room. This isn't the familiar ambiance of my home.

Nasaan si tatay?

Si Kuya Tupe? Si Emil?

Bakit walang gumigising sa akin?

I started to panic.

I felt my blood rushed through my veins. I felt agitated by the second. I can feel my heart pulsating by a memory I can't remember.

"Call the doctor. She's awake."

Bakit ayaw nila akong gisingin?

"Gabriella please... just hold on."

I tried opening my eyes but I only saw blurry people standing and surrounding me. It was a quarter of an inch. I'm not sure who they are.

I felt someone touched my chest. The cold round steel touched the bare skin near my heart.

I suddenly felt the need for air.

Someone's choking me. I want to breathe but my head says no. Something in me says I am not allowed to have this life anymore. All I do is hurt other people.

I saw a concentrated yellow light. It danced from side to side. I followed it, wanting to let them know that I want to speak.

"Tatay..." I successfully susurrated.

I felt them tensed. Everybody left except for a certain man.

"Tatay..."

A familiar man looked at me but he was hesitant to come closer. I closed my eyes because of a sudden heavy feeling until the last sight I can remember was his back, closing the door until I was left alone.

The agony felt like yesterday. I regained my consciousness. Light suddenly popped in my vivid imagination.

My thumb twitched. I felt the cold air brushing through every part of my exposed skin.

I slowly rested myself on the familiar bed. After a while, I sensed a hint of isopropyl and sweet air freshener.

I lifted my heavy lids and white welcomed me. I slowly breathed, trying to regain the feeling of what's around me.

It was too quiet.

I have no one here. It wasn't serene. It was all just scary.

I was all alone.

The periodic beeping of the monitor served as background. Although, I don't like it.

I don't like it at all.

I tilted my head to the left, there were few flowers on a glass vase. Alongside, there are citrus fruits on a hand-made basket.

Hospital...