The Fortunate

33

THIRD PERSON

[THREE WEEKS AGO]

He fixed his position as his wife covered herself with a blanket. He is certain that she's not feeling well. Bumangon ito't naglakad papalabas para maghanda ng makakain ni Sula once na magising ito.

He is planning to ditch his work, he wants to be available for her.

Joaquin's brow raised after receiving a call from his father's secretary. "Hello?"

["Your father is currently at the hospital, he fainted while we're on the way to the company,"] walang prenong sambit ni Wendell mula sa kabilang linya.

"What? Fuck, send me the location. I'll go," hinubad nito ang suot na apron.

["He's okay now. I just call to send an update,"] he told him.

"I'll still go. 'Wag niyo na muna siyang palabasin," bilin nito sa kaniya.

Maybe it's not the best time for him to stay. Hinintay nalang niyang maluto ang pagkain. He sighed and looked at the food he prepared for both of them. He pouted, "It's a shame, I want to eat these with you," Joaquin muttered.

At dahil mas importanteng ma-check niya ang kalagayan ng papa niya ay nag-iwan nalang siya ng mensahe.

joaquin
an emergency came, will be back asap. I cooked for you, I don't want to see it once I got home. Get well soon.

Nang makarating siya ay nakita pa nitong nakikipag-usap sa mga nurse ang kaniyang ama. Nakatayo lang sa gilid si Wendell.

"Why did he faint?" He immediately asked.

Mr. Bermuda is quite shocked to see him, "My son, it's probably because of my--"

"Dad, I know you're sick. Why are you still trying to hide it from me?" He irritatedly asked his father.

Lumingon ito sa mga medical staff ng hospital. "Tell me, anong sakit ni dad?"

"He fainted because of hypertension, sir. Mataas na ang blood pressure ni Mr. Bermuda dahil na rin sa high contamination ng cholesterol. Also, your dad mentioned na may medical history kayo sa hypertension," the doctor explained.

Joaquin sighed and looked at his dad. His father doesn't really care about his health, but as someone who had been raised by him, Joaquin is concerned.

"We already gave him maintenance and treatments to lower his blood pressure, sir. This might happen again, maybe worse if hindi bababa ang BP ni sir," sambit ng doctor.

Joaquin brushed his hair. "Okay, thank you,"

"Puwede na akong umuwi?" Mr. Bermuda asked the nurses.

"Yes sir, tapos na rin naman lahat ng medical check ups, basta po, babalik tayo rito ha? Bawasan na rin po ang pagkain ng mamantika," bilin ng doctor.

"Sayang," pagkadismaya nito.

Ilang sandali pa ay lumabas na rin ang mga kumonsulta sa kaniya. Wendell also went out to give them some time to talk.

"I suddenly remember, 'yong bulalo sa baryo? Masarap 'yon eh, lalo na kapag malaman 'yong karne. Hays, will I ever taste that again?" He sulked.

"Dad, you fainted, tapos ang una mong aalahanin ay 'yong bulalo?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Joaquin sa ama.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" He chuckled.

"Joaquin, did you already quit smoking?" He asked.

He didn't answer, he's still pissed because his dad never mentioned anything about his health.