One Last Time (R18)

Kabanata XXVI: TRADE SHOW

TRADE SHOW.

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"Dear...please just keep your eyes open..." Tita Norin's strained voice next to mine is begging. It couldn't hide the exhaustion on it, as if she had run a mile.

Pinilit ko siyang nilingon. I saw her frightened and worried face.

"Stay awake, dear...parating na ang daddy mo..." Halos wala akong maintindihan sa sinabi ni Tita Norin. Her words are slurred, filled with panic and intense fear that I can't quite grasp. And why's she here with me? Bakit ako nakahiga? Sa pagkakaalam ko, nasa sasakyan ako, kasama ko sila Irinne at Anja.

"I'm really sorry, Ms. Yturralde, pero matatagalan bago mo mailakad ulit ang isang paa mo."

Marahas na singhap ang kumawala mula sa'kin. It feels like my body and mind are not working together as cold sweat drips down my forehead. Bukod sa mga labi ko, nanginginig na rin ang buong katawan ko. I just woke up from a severe headache at ito agad ang narinig ko pagkagising.

"W-What did you say, D-Doc?" I managed to ask the orthopedic doctor in a shaky voice. I heard him clearly, but my brain refused to accept what he said, so I needed him to repeat it, just in case I misheard.

"Your left leg got crushed between the dashboard and seat, resulting in a comminuted tibia fracture. This kind of fracture takes a year or more to heal."

           RING NG CELLPHONE ko ang gumising sa akin ng tanghaling 'yon. Kinapa ko 'yon sa ibabaw ng bedside cabinet ko. I opened my left eye para tingnan kung sino ang tumatawag. The moment I saw Desserae’s name on the screen, I answered.

"Hello..." I greeted in a frail voice.

"Kei...how are you? Are you still sick? Sorry ha. Medyo busy kasi kami sa firm kaya hindi ka namin madalaw."

I sighed weakly. "It's fine. I can take care of myself. Besides, someone's looking after me."

"Ganun ba? Nag-aalala si Ms. Aya sa'yo. Magpagaling ka raw agad."

"I will," I replied fraily. "Tell her I'll come back to work as soon as I feel better."

"No! Pumasok ka kapag magaling ka na talaga-ow! The client is calling me, Kei. Sige na, I'll end this. Goodbye!"

Hindi na hinintay ni Rae na makasagot ako, binaba na niya ang tawag. Ibinalik ko na lang ang cellphone ko sa ibabaw ng cabinet at nagtalukbong ng kumot. Pero napangiwi ako nang maramdaman ko ulit ang pamimigat ng ulo ko, like a big rock was placed on top of it.

I growled when the throbbing intensified. Nasusuka ako pero wala akong lakas para pumunta sa banyo kaya dumukwang na lang ako sa gilid ng kama. Wala rin namang lumalabas.

I'd been sick for three days now, kaya tatlong araw rin akong absent sa firm. I caught this nang maulanan ako pauwi galing sa site. It was pouring that night, and I was exhausted, hungry, and sleep-deprived—a perfect recipe for getting sick.

Ginising ako ng kumakalam kong sikmura mula sa ilang oras na pagtulog. Marahan akong umupo sa kama at umusog palapit sa gilid ng kama pero napangiwi ako nang umikot na naman ang paningin ko. Sinapo ko ang isang bahagi ng ulo ko at kinuha ang walking stick ko sa gilid ng kama. Despite the dizziness, I stood and carefully left my room.

Ingat na ingat ako sa pagbaba ng hagdan. My one hand gripping my walking stick, the other clutching the handrail. My left foot wasn’t in good condition, and neither was my right. Both of my knees are feeling weak and wobbly. Isang maling tapak lang, gugulong ako pababa!