A Close Second

Fifty Seventh

Hi!
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"I think she's out of the woods now. You're okay hun. Just cough it out."

I didn't have time to stare since my lungs still burned a little, but the soothing voice helped as well as the light pats I got in my back. My nose stung but I guess it was a given since they weren't supposed to have water pouring over them.

"What the hell, Greggory. That was irresponsible." Pangaral ng kasama namin kay Greg habang hinihimas parin nito ng marahan ang likod ko. "Bakit mo naman iniwan sa bathtub? Alam mo namang pagod, malamang malaki ang chance na makatulog siya dun!"

"Hindi ko siya iniwan sa tub. Tingin mo naman sakin, tanga?" Greg fires back. "Iniwan ko siya sa may sink, fully clothed by the way, bago ako lumabas saka pupuntahan kita para sana tulungan siya."

I felt the last of the water drain down from my nose, and I pushed myself, coughing still. My eyes adjust, seeing Greg kneeling by my side & helping me sit up. In Front of us, in a wet white uniform was a girl, who I think was our age. She looks at me first, a hand still supporting me aside from Greg while we all are slumped on the wet floor.

"What happened?" I rasped.

The other person with us snapped back into action. She looks at Greg, almost immediately, instructing him to get something before she turns to me.

"Alright, Beatrice. You just nearly drowned but you're okay now. Greg's just gonna pass you to me first while he goes to get me some stuff okay?"

I stared at her for a bit and Greg carefully placed me into her arms. I pant while I watch Greg dash out of the room. It doesn't really take him long though, because he's back within a minute, holding a pouch and rifling through it.

"Greg, Steady hands. Deep breaths, my love." She says soothingly, getting him to stop for a bit. "Okay, that's good. Remember. The brain can only function--"

"--If enough oxygen gets through." Greg says, breathing out, now calm.

"Very good, Gregory. Look, I have use for the stuff you gave me." The woman props me up this time. "Now, Beatrice. Hi, honey. We're going to get a look at you and check you up, is that okay?"

I looked at her and nodded weakly, still a bit disoriented. She gives out a hand and Greg hands her a pen, which was amazing since he already knew what she needed. She tells me that she's gonna shine some light in my eyes and gives me instructions to follow it. I just followed her silently.

"Pupils are normal. Can you follow the light? Awesome. Now, squeeze my hand." I do as she says. "We're gonna play a game. Connect your fingers with mine?"

I do as she says, playing align with her, which I give a weak chuckle to. I didn't even think much about it and was enjoying it until Greg, who was beside us, spoke up.

"Why are you testing her for brain damage?" tanong nito.

I looked at him, finding him looking at me worriedly. Nakita ko naman yung babae na nangiti ng kaunti.

"Very good, Greg." Sabi nito, as if praising him but in actuality, she was soothing me and Greg both. "She's been underwater for who knows how long. When the brain gets deprived of oxygen, it all gets dangerous right? She's out of the woods but brain hypoxia is something we always want to rule out, diba?"

Greg nods. "I know that. But what I should've asked is: Why are you testing for brain tumors?"

Nag Stop ako sa sinabi ni Greg. Kahit ang kasama namin din parang natauhan bigla saka tinignan si Greg. She breaks into a smile though.

"I didn't know you knew that." sabi niya, a small smile still on her lips.. "But it's also a test for brain trauma, Greg. Kung sakaling naumpog siya nung umilalim siya sa tubig."