FROM LUST TO LOVE (Reluctant Bride No. 2)

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 28

Zed brought up the blanket up to Lyn’s chin as he watched her supine figure still fast asleep.  The cold air of the hospital room was bringing chills to his spine as he watched Lyn.  He zipped up his jacket to keep himself warm.

He continued to watch Lyn’s sleeping form.  Ang tahimik na mukha ni Lyn almost just like a silhouette in the room that is illuminated only by an overhead lamp.  He said a prayer of thanks.  Six hours ago, he was enveloped in fear as the prospect of losing Lyn practically drained him of life.

If there was anything clear to him after that ordeal it is the realization that he can’t live his life without her.  He spent the greater part of that waiting time in the hospital Chapel, bargaining with God to spare Lyn and his child.  And yes, he was willing to sacrifice anything and everything, even if it meant staying away from her if that is what she wishes as long as she stays alive.

He was almost in tears as he remembered his agony this afternoon.  Hinaplos niya ang noo ni Lyn ng puno ng pagmamahal at hinalikan ito.  She is just so beautiful.

Lyn stirred and slowly opened he eyes.  She immediately recognized the face that was so close to hers.

“Zed…?”

“Yes Babe, it’s me.  Magpahinga ka na muna.”  Hinalikan muli ni Zed si Lyn sa noo.

“Ang…” halos may takot magtanong si Lyn.  “Ang baby?” Zed’s eyes were sparkling with tears in the relative darkness, pero ngumiti ito.

“God is good to us.” Halos mapaluha si Zed sa sinaad.  “The doctors were able to save the baby.  He is healthy.  He is in an incubator because he is premature but you can visit him when you are stronger.” Sagot ni Zed na halos pabulong.  Napapikit si Lyn sa narinig.  She whispered a prayer of thanks at napaluha na din.

“I thought I was gonna lose him.” Sambit ni Lyn.  Dumaloy na ang luha ni Lyn sa kanyang mga pisngi.  Hinawakan ni Zed ang kanyang kamay.

“Everything went as planned thank God.” Sagot ni Zed.  Hinalikan ni Zed ang kamay ni Lyn na hawak niya.  “You rest Babe, later your mother will come back and you need your strength to talk to them.”

Hinaplos ni Lyn ang mukha ni Zed ng kanyang kamay na hawak hawak ni Zed.  “Thank you Zed for being here.”

“No, thank you for being strong and for taking care of our baby in your womb.  Kung hindi daw malakas ang bata, we would have lost him.  But he fought as much as you did.”  Hinalikan muli ni Zed si Lyn sa noo.  “I would not know what to do if I lost any of you.”  Tinitigan ni Zed si Lyn.  “Kailangan magpalakas ka kaagad para sa ating kasal.”  Kumunot ang noo ni Lyn.

“Zed… I… “  Zed felt another objection coming from Lyn.

“Shhhh…” nilapat ni Zed ang index finger niya sa labi ni Lyn.  “We will talk about it when you are stronger.  For now, just conserve your energy.”  Nakangiting sambit ni Zed.

“Okay.” Sagot ni Lyn at ipinikit ang mata.

The anesthesia was still in her system and she needed to sleep to let it wear off.  Yun ang sabi ng doctor kay Zed, kaya’t hinayaan na lang niya ito.  Sa ngayon ang mahalaga ay ang buhay ng kanyang mag-ina.  He will deal with her objections later.  But God willing, she will do everything to put all these to right.  Papakasalan niya ang babaeng ito, this woman who can melt him with just a look, a touch, a scent, a whisper.  Because she was as important to him as the air that he breathes.

Nagising si Zed nang nagsidatingan sina Joy at Frank.  Si Joyce ay umuwi na kasama ang mga bata.  Nakatulog si Zed sa tabi ni Lyn, ang ulo nito ay nakatungo sa hospital bed habang nakaupo ito sa upuan katabi ng bed ni Lyn.