Gambit of Hearts: Chasing Black UNO

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

THE STEADY beeping of the heart monitor was the first thing that Zean noticed as she slowly regained her consciousness. The sound was rhythmic, almost soothing, yet foreign. She became aware of the cool touch of the IV needle in her arm and the faint hum of the air conditioning. The antiseptic scent of the hospital filled her nose, mixing with the slight tang of the cleaning agents used to sanitize the room.

Zean's eyelids fluttered open, revealing the sterile white ceiling above her. She turned her head slightly, taking in the sight of the IV drip slowly releasing fluid into her veins. It took her a few moments to fully register her surroundings—a hospital room.

Slowly, she pushed herself up to a sitting position, wincing at the slight pain that radiated through her bruised body.

"Tangina.." mahinang mura nito at nakangiwi na napahawak sa gilid nya.

She remained in that position before her eyes then fell on the figure slumped in the chair beside her bed.

It was Matthew, his head resting on the mattress, his breathing deep and even as he slept. Sinuri nya ang buong itsura nito, suot-suot nito ang uniporme ng football team nila.

"Galing unibersidad pa 'to?" bulong ni Zean sa sarili bago sya napaangat ng tingin sa orasan na nasa dingding. 7:38pm.

Zean looked back at him and reached her hand out and gently stroked his hair. Matthew stirred, slowly waking up. His eyes opened, and for a moment, he looked disoriented. Then, as he saw her, a mixture of relief and worry washed over his face.

She flinched when Matthew suddenly stood up and gently held her shoulders, "Are you feeling okay? How are you feeling? May masakit ba? Nagugutom ka ba? And why are you sitting? You should be laying down!"

Napagpantastikohang napatitig ang dalaga sa binata. Kitang-kita at bakas na bakas sa mukha nito ang pag-alala kaya naman mahina syang natawa na ikinakunot ng noo ng huli.

"Why? What is it? Why are you laughing? Akihiro! This isn't a joke! Tatawagin ko ba ang doktor? Ano–"

"I'm fine, boi pikit." She chuckled at him, "Nakaconfine na ako. I'm fine."

Nginisihan nya ang binata, "Hindi na talaga normal 'yang pag-alala mo. Talagang iiisipin ko nang may gusto ka–"

Zean couldn't finish her sentence when Matthew went closer to her and pulled her to an embrace. She stilled by his sudden move but he was beyond relieved. His embrace tightened and he snuggled his face to her neck more.

Matthew was really worried when she fainted in front of him. As he held her, he can feel her body burning up. Sobrang nataranta at nag-alala ang binata na hindi nito magawang mag-ensayo ng maayos kaya naman bumalik na lamang sya ng ospital.

"I was so worried." he whispered.

Zean smiled softly before caressing the back of his head, "I know."

Ilang segundo na muna ang lumipas bago bumitaw ang binata na ngayo'y nakakunot ang noo na nakatingin sa kanya.

"What?"

"Ang tigas kasi ng ulo mo eh!" inis na sabi nito, "I told you to drink your medicine but you never listened. Hindi ka rin kumain." dagdag nito na ikinatawa lang ni Zean.

Mas lalong nalukot ang mukha ni Matthew, "You're laughing at me? Really, Akihiro?!"

Imbes na sagutin ito, nagpakawala na lamang sya ng mahinang tawa. "I'm okay, boi pikit. What happened?"

"You collapsed," Matthew said, his voice was filled with concern. "The doctor said you were exhausted. You hadn't been resting, you had bruises all over, you weren't eating properly, and you caught a fever on top of everything."