To Love the Dawn

39

"Atty. Bautista, we want to know how sure we are that we'll win the case."

"Mr. Ponce de Leon, we are 100% sure that we'll win the case. The hospital and staff are willing to help in testifying and providing evidence. Now that the police have the suspect, we are just 1 step away from winning."

It was like that every day. And I wasn't allowed to see David. Naka-confine pa rin ako ngayon dahil hindi raw normal ang paghinga ko. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya lang ng pamilya ko at pamilya ni David o sadyang mahina ako ngayon. They were monitoring me every day and it was tiring.

Hindi rin nila dinadala ang anak ko sa hospital sa takot na baka magka-trauma siya. Each day in the hospital was scary. I had to watch the doctors and nurses observe my whole body. I had to stare at the white ceiling unconsciously. I had to sleep, eat, drink medicine, and sleep again. It was a routine. It was scary but I couldn't do anything.

"What was the intention of the suspect? Was he planning to end David's life?" I asked a doctor one day. It was David's friend, Dr. Dominguez.

"Ms. De Cardenas, it's very hard to say this but yes, that was the intent of the stabbing incident. The suspect was aiming for Dr. Ponce de Leon's heart. But fortunately, he was able to prevent it."

"Doc, naman po niya nagawa 'yon kay David? Ano ba 'yon, aksidente lang? Baka napagkamalan lang si David na-"

"No, the stab was meant for him talaga. Didn't the police tell you? The suspect had suffered from severe depression after losing his wife. The wife turns out to be your boyfriend's patient. He blamed Dr. Ponce de Leon for that. But the truth is he wasn't the one who operated on the woman. He's not a surgeon to do that. He's a general physician. Before the woman was referred to a surgeon, he was her physician."

I smiled at the doctors and nurses after being discharged. And after weeks of being caged in a hospital room, I was finally allowed to visit David. He has been transferred to a private room. I didn't have the time to fix myself. I went inside the room as soon as they opened the door for me.

Hinayaan nila akong pumasok sa loob. Sinarado nila ang pinto nang makapasok na ako. They let me go in there alone. When I looked at the bed where David was lying, I saw him looking at me. He was wearing a hospital gown. May mga nakakonekta sa kaniya at mukhang hirap pa siyang gumalaw. The tears I was trying to control poured down like rain when he smiled at me.

"S-sola..." I cried harder when his voice cracked. "Come here, my love."

Nabitawan ko ang dala kong bag. Kaagad akong lumapit kay David. Ngunit sa takot na masaktan ko siya ay pinigilan ko ang sariling yakapin siya. Inangat niya ang isang kamay at pinilit na abutin ang aking pisngi.

"K-kumusta ka?"

"Ako d-dapat ang nagtatanong niyan!" Mahinang tumawa si David sa naging reaksyon ko. "Ano raw sabi ng doktor mo?"

"I'm fine, Sola. I just had scratches on my gallbladder, but it wasn't that serious. Mahaba pa ang buhay ko." Napairap ako sa ginawa ni David na pagpapagaan ng loob ko. "How are you? How's Tahlia?"

"I'm okay, Mav. Did you know that I was confined?"

"I was looking for you. I asked them to bring me to you or bring you here. That's when I found out that you were in another room." Bumaba ang kamay niya sa kama. Kasabay nito ang pagbaba niya ng tingin sa aking tiyan. "How's our baby?"

"Si Tahlia? She's doing good. Hindi lang nila dinadala rito dahil baka magka-trauma siya. Buti nga at hindi rin naman nakita ni Tahlia iyong nangyari sa 'yo-"

"Wait, Sola, I know Tahlia's fine. I am asking you about our second baby..."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni David. Tiningnan ko ang kabuuan niya. Baka may kailangang gamutin sa kaniya. Dahil hindi naman ako buntis...

"David, hindi ako buntis, okay? Bakit naman ganiyan ang tanong mo?" I saw confusion written all over his face when I said that. "For clarification, hindi pa ako nagpapa-checkup. At wala naman akong nararamdamang kakaiba sa katawan ko."

"They didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" I asked in a low voice.

"The reason why you passed out. You weren't just shocked about what happened. It was too much for a pregnant woman, love." Hindi ako makapaniwalang tumitig kay David. "I'm sorry... I should've-"

"No, David, no... It's not just your fault. And this isn't something that we should regret. I mean, we should accept the child, our child." Kinuha ko ang phone ko mula sa bag ko at hinanap ang number ni Larrick. Kaagad naman siyang sumagot sa tawag. "Rick, can you please c-cancel... my... schedule for the review? I won't be taking the scholarship exam."

"What? Sayang naman 'yung scholarship, Sol. Malaking tulong din 'yon-"

"I can't... I need to focus on my child." I saw how David's eyes were slowly covered with tears.

"Tahlia? Kaya naman ni Marinel, ah? And besides, if you need anything, you can call me naman. I love Tahlia as much as I love you, Sol. I'll do anything for my godchild."

"Thanks, Rick. But this isn't about Lia. Nagdadalang-tao ako-"

"Sola, can you please drop the call? Let's talk about it first." Nagpaalam ako kay Larrick at kaagad na pinutol ang tawag. "I can help you get a degree. I want you to pursue your dreams. Maybe not in the way you've planned but in other ways. You can take online classes or-"

"Okay lang ako, David." I gently held his hand. And when I felt his warmth, I cried. "A-anak muna natin."

"But I don't want you to be unable to reach for your dreams again. I don't want you to forget about yourself, Solana." I cried harder as I witnessed how David's face turned red while controlling his emotions. "After I get discharged, I'll work immediately, I promise. I won't waste any time. I will make sure that I'll earn enough to sustain the life I want for you and our kids."

"Magpagaling ka muna... Huwag kang magmadali. 'Yung p-pera... kaya ko naman 'yang makuha, David. Kaya kong gawan ng paraan." Pinalis ko ang mga luhang dumapo sa aking mga pisngi. Tinitigan kong mabuti si David. "Ako na ang bahala. Kaya ko pa."

"Pero hindi ko na kayang nakikita kang bumabagsak sa buhay, Sol. Na kahit sarili mong pangarap binibitawan mo dahil sa mga bagay na ako ang nagdala sa 'yo."

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