Never Be Tamed

Chapter 12: Confusion

Chapter 12: Confusion

I opened my eyes, unable to move for a second. I roamed my eyes in the room which seems familiar to me. Umupo ako mula sa malambot na higaan.

Hospital... I'm in a hospital.

I raised my hand to my chest which was now breathing steadily. Sinubukan kong alalahanin ang mga nangyari. The small village, the poisoning, the last antidote.

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Anabeth. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makitang gising na ako. She rushed to me and immediately enveloped me into a tight hug.

"You silly girl!"

"What's wrong?" tanong ko.

"What do you mean what's wrong? We're worried sick about you! Making the new antidote took me hours and that time you were barely breathing!" asik niya.

"I'm sorry. Pero okay na ako ngayon."

Bumagsak siya at umupo sa tabi ko sa higaan. "My God, Eleanor, you have no idea. Even Sir Zackary had to intervene for you to be treated habang ginagawa ko ang antidote."

Zackary? I didn't remember them being in the village.

"Kumusta ang mga tao sa village? Okay na ba sila?" tanong ko.

Bumuntonghininga si Anabeth sa tabi ko. "It's been days at naka-recover na ang karamihan sa kanila. Magagaling na din ang ibang staff na natamaan ng lason and most of us are back to work in the apothecary."

"May mga naiwan orders sa village to further investigate the contamination. Mukhang target talaga nila ang lugar since it's less restricted dahil malayo sa bayan at masukal. But don't worry, we gave them enough antidote in case cases resurface."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil sa narinig. Sumulyap ako sa bedside table, sa glass vase na puno ng mga puti at pink na bulaklak.

"Binigay 'yan ng magulang ng batang tinulungan mo," Anabeth said, smiling.

Pinagmasdan ko ang mga bulaklak, reaching for the soft petals with my fingers. Ito ang unang beses na may nagbigay sa'kin ng mga bulaklak. Ang gaganda nila.

"You should probably rest," offered Anabeth. "Your body was in a bad state for days. Babalik ako mamaya." Tinignan niya ako nang masama bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto. "Magpahinga, Eleanor. No sacrificing for the meantime. Sinasabi ko talaga sa'yo, malalagot ka sa'kin."

Marahan niyang sinara ang pinto. Bumalik ako sa pagkakahiga. It was mid morning and birds chirped outside along with the gentle breeze. Tahimik kong pinakinggan ang mga ingay sa paligid. For a reason, everything seems peaceful.

I stayed in the hospital for one more day. Excited na akong lumabas. I missed the apothecary and the work I left behind.

Bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto. I sat up in bed, expecting to see a nurse. Nabigla ako nang makita si Zackary at Sir Sebastian na pumasok sa kwarto.

I tried to sat straighter, pulling my head down to a bow.

"You know, you don't have to do that," ngiti ni Sir Sebastian. "Are you feeling better?"

Tumango ako. Napansin ko si Zackary sa tabi niya na tahimik habang nakatitig sa'kin.

"I appreciate what you did in the village and the alpha also extended his gratitude."

Pumasok ang dalawang nurses sa kwarto kasunod nila. Natigilan sila at yumuko nang makita si Sir Sebastian at si Zackary. Both were confused for having two powerful people in one room.

"We won't take long," Sir Sebastian told them.

Lumabas siya kasama ang dalawang nurse, asking them about something. Naiwan si Zackary sa harapan ko. His face remained impassive, almost out of emotion. Did something happened? Is he okay?