The Fortunate

52

THIRD PERSON

Joaquin had been doing his work inside the hospital. He can't miss a single moment for he badly wants to be the first one she will see once she wakes up.

Nakatulog na ito kakatipa sa laptop niya, hindi na kinaya ni Joaquin ang hindi matulog habang binabantayan ang asawa.

Unti-onting idinilat ni Joaquin ang mga mata niya nang makarinig siya ng sunod-sunod na hatsing.

"Pahubad naman ng jacket mo! Dapat pala hindi ko muna tinanggal 'tong props," dinig niyang daing ng kung sino.

Inangat niya ang kaniyang ulo at saka kumunot ang noo. "Ano? Tanggalin mo na-- hatsng!" She sneezed.

He scratched his eyelids, kulang pa ito sa tulog at feeling niya ay naghahallucinate na siya ng mga nangyayari.

He is not aware that he is wearing a jacket with an animal fur. He almost forgot that his wife is allergic to them.

He immediately took off his jacket and threw it farther to them. But he still can't speak or move after.

Sula had woken up.

As if nothing happened, she sat up at saka siya nag-unat ng katawan. She even popped her ligaments. "Narinig mo 'yon? Tangina sarap," she groaned.

"Oh? Ang haba na ng buhok ko, parang dalawang taon akong hindi nagpagupit," she giggled habang hinahawakan ang buhok niya.

Napatigil din ito sa pagngiti nang makaramdam ng hilo. Marahil dahil binigla nito ang sarili para bumangon.

After a while, she looked at her husband again.  "Hinanap mo pa pala ako,"

"Bakit ako nasa hospital?" She asked.

"I love you," his lips tremble as he started to speak.

"Parang gago naman 'to kakagising ko lang magbibiro ka pa--" He stopped her from talking by hugging her tightly.

"Sula, I love you so much," tila nawala ang antok nito nang malamang gising na si Sula.

But he regretted sleeping, he should have been awake so that he will be able to witness her opening her eyes again.

"Don't leave me again. Please, I'm sorry," he asked.

"Joaquin," she muttered while patting his back.

Dinig nito ang hikbi at ramdam niya ang pagkabasa ng balikat niya dahil kasalukuyang umiiyak si Joaquin. "Anong nangyari? Gago bakit ka umiiyak?"

He didn't answer. He just continue hugging her. She felt worried for it is her first time seeing him crying as if she's dead.

He'd been crying for so long because of you, you mean a lot to him that it made him tear up just by imagining how you will leave him.

At dahil wala naman siyang natanggap na sagot ay sumandal nalang din ito sa kaniya bilang suporta. "Nahihilo ako, Joaquin,"

"Anong nangyayari sa'yo?" She asked.

But she already know what's happening. He'd been crazy while she is not around. She even told him that he can still chase her, but even during her pregnancy, she wasn't able to meet him.

She doesn't know who to blame, but she can't put all the loads to him. She knows she has mistakes too. She should have not continue her plan with Wendell.

"Hinanap mo ba ako?" She asked, he nodded.

Hinagod nito ang likod ng asawa. "Okay na 'yon, okay na. 'Wag ka nang umiyak. At least alam kong hindi ka tumigil,"