One More Try

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

As soon as they reached the camp, muli na namang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. Mabuti na lang, sa parking lot pa lang ng camp ay may naghihintay nang staff at wheelchair para kay Carson. Isinakay sya doon at dinala sa infirmary.

The nurse immediately attended them. Ayon dito grade 2 sprain daw ang natamo nya. One or more of her ligaments are partially torn. Habang naroon sya sa infirmary ay sinabihan na si Theo na pwede na syang iwanan muna doon para makapagpahinga na rin muna ang binata.

But Theo insisted to stay.

He was also attentive to hold her hand when the nurse removed the bandage that Theo wrapped around her ankle. Napadaing na naman kasi sya nang magalaw ang kanyang paa. Mas namaga na iyon kaysa kanina but the nurse reassured her that she will be fine soon. Mabuti na rin daw at nalagyan agad na temporary na benda para maiwasan ang movements ng ankle nya.

Napalitan na ang benda ng mas maayos pero nakasakay pa rin sa wheelchair si Carson dahil hindi naman nya kakayaning maglakad. Idagdag pa na hindi rin even ang mga daanan sa camp dahil nga nasa gubat iyon.

Matapos manggaling sa infirmary, sinundo sila ng isang staff at dinala sa hindi kalayuang hilera ng cabin.

"While you were in the infirmary, I had a quick meeting with the rest of the events committee." Wika ng babaeng nakahanap sa kanila kanina. "We decided to send you home if not because of the weather. Mas lumalala pa kasi ang panahon and we are afraid that you might have the same experience of what happened to you last night. So, just to make sure that you are safe and dry, you'll be staying here in the camp throughout the whole team building."

Tumango si Carson. "It's fine with me."

The woman smiled. "You are supposed to stay in the cabin along with your team but because of your condition, we decided to give you a separate one. It's better if you stay here, Ms. Asuncion, para maiwasan din natin na biglang matamaan ang paa mo." Sabi nito bago binuksan ang pintuan at tumambad ang loob noon.

It looks nice. Maliit lang ang space but it has all the basics.

Naroon ang dalawang single beds na may maliit na side table sa gitna kung saan nakapatong ang lampshade. Mayroong two-seater sofa sa isang gilid at cabinet kung saan pwede nyang ilagay ang kanyang gamit. Meron ding sariling toilet and bath ang cabin.

"Is she going to stay here alone?" Tanong ni Theo.

Tiningala nya ito at kinunotan ng noo. Anong ibig sabihin nito sa tanong na iyon?

"Well, according to the camp's nurse, it will be better if there's someone who can be with her." the woman answered.

"I think I'm better off alone." Agad na sabi ni Carson. "I mean, I don't want to inconvenience anybody. This is just a sprain and I can still handle myself."

"A grade 2 sprain, if I may add." Sabi naman ni Theo. Hinarap nito ang head ng committee na kausap nila. "If it would be fine, I will be glad to be with Carson to assist her."

"What?" hindi nya napigilang magreact.

"Ms. Asuncion, given your condition, you will ready need someone to help you. Your ankle needs to be iced every now and then to prevent from severe swelling. Lalo na ngayong malamig ang panahon, mas lalong kikirot pa ang injury mo for the next hours."

Yes, nabanggit nga iyon sa kanya ng nurse kanina but she's positive that she can do it alone.

"Carson, please." Sabi ng binata. "I just want to make sure you're safe. I mean, you cannot use your left foot to walk. Paano ka mamaya kapag kailangan mo magbanyo?"