La Douleur Exquise: Imee Marcos

Chapter 102

Since I had no classes today, and in lieu of LDE almost turning one, I'm back to writing!

I really do miss the times wherein writing and publishing a chapter for LDE was part of my night routine, I am really, really, really sorry for making you wait this long, my loves! 😭🤍

----

Two weeks later..

Imee's POV

Rodrigo called kanina, nagpaalam lang na made-delay ang flight nila pauwi ng bansa. 'Di bale, papunta pa din naman kami ni Eloise ng ospital - she needs to undergo chemotherapy once again.

I just finished some paper works and pinuntahan siya sa kaniyang kwarto.

"Are you ready?" I gently knock on her door. She was already dressed up - a white dress with her short hair all waved up.

She insisted not to cut it all up as she thinks a shaolin cut wouldn't suit her. Even though sick, she remains as her true kikay self.

"Yes.." she replied as she applied lip balm and stood up to gather her things.

"My.." she sweetly uttered as she hugged my arms as we walked papalabas ng bahay.

"Yes, madam?.." I tease.

"Can we go somewhere after?" she asked.

"Asan na naman yan, Eloise?" I asked.

"Somewhere new.. Like the mall!" she excitingly uttered.

"Ah-" I hesitated. I don't know if I'm ready to bring her back out to the public after everything, now that I feel so defenseless and fragile.

"Please, -my.." she pleads as she stared at me with those glaringly beautiful brown eyes.

"Fine, but just for a short while.." I finally gave in.

"Yes, thank you my! I love you! I love you! I looove you!" she celebrates.

"Ayan ka na naman eh, nangbo-bola.." sabi ko naman sabay irap.

"Pero, I'm not nambobola eh-" she defends.

"Whatever!" I tease before I kissed her forehead and opened the car door for her. She just replied with a sweet smile.

...

Eloise ran through her last chemotherapy session for the week and then consulted her oncologist, the only thing na sabi niya is that they'll be running tests raw, to see if the chemotherapy's working well.

"We'll send you an email of the findings, asap, Ms. Marcos.." she added. I just nodded, and thanked her before we headed out to pay our consultation fee, and left.

"Are you sure you're okay? I think it's better if we just go home directly-" I made small talk with Eloise.

"My.. just for a short while.." she pleads. "-Please.."

"Do you not feel dizzy, nauseous?" I ask, ulit. She's been complaining kagabi that her head hurt.

"Not at all, my!" she energetically replied.

"Alright!" I agreed, I should've known better.

We headed to the nearest mall in BGC to shop, we went to a few stores and I insisted on getting her new clothes. We more or less spent a few hours there.

Both of us we're trying on clothes, kasi she insisted din that I try kasi mabo-bored daw siya. We exchanged compliments and.. well, criticisms.

I was trying out this neutral grey dress for casual days, and I really, really, really liked it.. It's so comfy! Until.. she approached.

"Mommy, para kang madre." she giggled.

"Sayo nga eh, para kang nalulunod sa tela." I said as I watched her wear an excessively tulle'd gown.

We were enjoying our time.

For lunch, we headed out to one of our favorite places, Wolfgang's. I ordered a filet mignon, and Eloise got herself grilled salmon.

A colleague called for a chat regarding a project in Batac, so obviously, I accepted it. In the middle of the call, Eloise stood up, and asked permission to use the comfort room.

I motioned, telling her to wait for me since her caregiver was not with us today. But she assured me with her big smile and, "I'm okay, ma.." So, I let her be.

A few moments later, the steaks arrived but Eloise did not, not yet. So, I ended my call and followed her to the CR and knocked crazily infront of demure people.

"Eloise, anak.." I called but there was no response.

"Eloise, open the door!" I raised my voice as I shook the locked door knob.

"Ma'am, anong problema?" one of my PSGs approached.

"Please.. p-pakitawag ang manager, si El-Eloise.. nasa loob.." my voice broke as I pleaded.

I frantically ran around in circles not knowing what to do. I even sat down on the floor and leaned on the comfort room door with tears flowing down my cheeks.

Who know what's happening, worst, what happened to her?

Is she still breathing, if so, why is she not answering my calls?

Si Rodrigo, he'll hate me even more if I become the reason she dies. Everyone will.

A mere second felt like an eternity, waiting for that key, having thoughts of grim, worrying how much more I contributed to my daughter's suffering just because I didn't accompany her to the comfort room.

I thought she was strong enough, she showed me she was strong enough, she always did. She was too independent that I overlooked how greatly she needed me, her mom, even now, when she's sick. I still lacked the right presence of mind and that could kill her.

"Rod, pick up.. Pick up.." I silently sobbed as I dialed his phone. It was ringing, but he was not answering.

"Ma'am, eto na po.." one of the guards said as he approached with a restaurant staff and the key.

The door knob turning, the hinges squeaking felt like panic and relief all together. What's behind that door will determine the media that comes out in a few hours, it will determine my family - especially Rodrigo's trust for me, it will determine my sanity.

By the time it opened, Rodrigo answered the call aswell.

"Hello, Imee?" he uttered.

"Rod.. si El-Eloise.." those were the only words I could utter, or sob as I saw my daughter in the comfort room floor.