Turning Tables

Plan A

The doctor didn't allow DJ to leave until the following morning.

I insisted on staying and watching over her the whole night.

David argued to let himself stay but I insisted.

"You need to rest," I told him and sensing that I wasn't going to relent, he went home with my mother and Paul.

"I will ask Yaya Nanay to bring some clothes for you so you can change." My mother told me before she left.

Once they were gone, I checked online for food delivery.

I was starting to get hungry and I didn't want to leave DJ to go to the cafeteria.

Besides, I didn't feel like eating hospital food.

A nurse came by to check on DJ.

She was around her mid-thirties and was very amiable.

After checking DJ's vitals, she asked me if I needed something.

I told her I'm good.

When she was about to leave, I remembered something.

"Is Dr. John Dela Cruz in?"

The nurse, who was double-checking the chart, looked up and answered that he was on vacation for a month.

"Would you like to speak with the locum instead?" she offered.

I nodded and she gave me the name of the doctor.

"Dr. Ana Marie Diaz will be here tonight," she informed me.

"Do you think she'll accommodate me?"

The nurse nodded.

"She's very nice," she said.

"I will let her know that you want to speak to her when she comes in."

I thanked her and then she was gone.

***

Half an hour later, the Chinese takeout delivery guy arrived.

I took my order of egg rolls, fried rice, stir-fried vegetable and ginger chicken with soup then asked him to give the nurses the rest of the food I ordered.

I also gave him a generous tip in cash.

The guy couldn't believe his eyes but took the money gladly.

I closed the door gently behind me and set up the food in the spare table at the corner of DJ's room.

It was already dark outside.

The gray clouds covered the starless sky and from afar, I saw lightning flashes.

I sat on the chair and started eating.

I didn't realized how hungry I was until the food touched my mouth.

My phone beeped and I saw David texting me, asking if I'm okay.

I replied yes and told him I'll text him later.

I stared outside and watched as the clouds turned darker, threatening to rain.

DJ groaned and I rose from my seat.

"Hey baby," I smiled at the little girl who was starting to wake up.

She stared at me for a few seconds and when she recognized who it was, she smiled at me.

"Mommy?" she said to me and raised her arms so I'll hug her.

When she noticed the tube attached to her right arm, she frowned.