La Douleur Exquise: Imee Marcos

Chapter 97

A few hours later..

Imee's POV

Nandito lang ako sa gilid ni Eloise, umiidlip lang ng ilang minuto, tas may nurse na namang pumapasok.

It's almost 7 a.m., Matthew already went home, kasi may meeting pa siya at 8. Pinauwi ko na din muna sila Irene at Greggy kasama ni Matt, so that makapag-pahinga naman sila.

Liza and Bongbong went back to Manila kagabi after we settled na sa room.

"Ma?" a familiar voice slowly uttered.
I looked back to see Eloise already awake.

"My darling baby girl.." I uttered as I rushed to her bed.

"Are you okay? Wala bang masakit?" I asked na medyo natataranta.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"We're at the hospital, darling.. Don't ever leave me like that, Eloise ha.." I said as tears flowed down my cheeks while I hugged her tight, she just nodded slowly.

*/knocks

"Pasok lang!" I said, di ako makatayo eh, nat-trap ako, Eloise was leaning her head on my right arm, while the other one was holding her.

It was Rodrigo, and I could distinctly see his eyes sparkle as soon as he saw Eloise awake. Halos mabitawan na nga niya yung dala niyang pagkain.

"Eloise? Hi! Okay ka na ba?" he said as he approached and held her hands before kissing her on the forehead.

I couldn't help but smile, seeing him that happy.

"Who are you po?" Eloise suddenly asked.

Both of us were left stunned to what she just said. "Ma, who is he?", pag-uulit niya.

"That's your dad-"
"Ako to, si Tito Rod?"
Magkasabay naming sabi ni Rodrigo.

"Sorry, I don't know you eh.. Mommy, I don't know him po.." she innocently said before looking up to me.

That look broke my heart, just the same way I think it did Rodrigo's..

"Tito Rod?.. Dad??.." he repeats, but Eloise just continues on shooking her head.

"Naalala mo ba nung pumanta tayo ng Davao?" he said. Like there isn't even a piece of hopelessness in him.

"How 'bout, Italy? New York?" he repeats, teary-eyed.

"I'm sorry.." Eloise said.

"It's okay, we'll work that out.." aniya, with a smile pa ha.

*/knocks, "Pasok!" sabay ulit naming ani.

"Sir, dadating na raw po yung chopper sa airport in 15 minutes.." pumasok ang isa sa kaniyang mga PSG.

"Julius, cancel all my meetings for today.." aniya.

"Sir??" tanong nung PSG.

"Please.. Cancel all my meetings for today.." pag-uulit niya.

"Yes, sir.." ani ng PSG at lumabas ng kwarto.

"July 12.. di ba't may luncheon ka ngayon??" I asked trying to make small talk.

"Mas pipiliin ko pa dito, kesa makipagplastikan sa mga kaliwa.." he said.

"Kain ka muna.." he said before taking off his outer barong at ipinaghain ako ng pagkain.

Umupo siya sa tabi ni Eloise at inalukan siya ng tubig.

"Si mommy lang.." said Eloise. Kaya tumayo nalang siya't nilapitan ako.

"Ikaw lang daw... Bakit ganyan, di niya na ako kilala.. normal lang ba 'yan?" mahina niyang tanong.