Illicit Love

Kabanata 27

"Are you the family of the patient?"

I shot to my feet the moment a doctor emerged from the Emergency Room. It was already six in the morning. I hadn't caught a wink of sleep or found a moment to rest, but the exhaustion meant nothing to me—my friend needed me more. Knowing she was all alone with her family aren't here, I refused to leave her side for as long as I was able.

"Yes, doc. I am her friend. How's is she? Okay lang po ba siya?" nag-aalalang tanong ko.

He gave a small, reassuring nod that made me sigh in relief. "The first patient is doing well," he said. "As for your friend, her situation was critical. She suffered multiple broken bones due to high-impact trauma. Our examination revealed a pattern of both healing and fresh contusions. She hasn't regained consciousness yet because of a cranial fracture we detected. We are currently keeping her under strict observation to ensure no further complications arise. It was a close call, but thanks to your quick thinking, both of them are now in stable condition."

"B-Both? Anong ibig ninyong sabihin, doc...?" nanghihinang sabi ko dahil sa pagtataka.

He gave a faint, tight-lipped smile. "Didn't your friend mention that she's pregnant? She nearly suffered a miscarriage, but fortunately, we were able to intervene in time. Both she and the baby are out of danger now."

I felt a wave of soul-crushing despair as the truth finally sank in, quickly followed by a cold, burning rage simmering in my chest. I will make damn sure that this marriage is annulled and that he rots behind bars. To think he almost took the life of an innocent child because of his sheer idiocy. I stood there, paralyzed and staring blankly at my friend as she lay peacefully in her hospital bed. Her beautiful face was a map of violence—littered with bruises in varying stages of healing, some fresh and angry red, others old, faded, and turning a sickening shade of black.

Lunes na, nandito pa rin ako sa hospital. Dalawang araw na ang lumipas, pero hindi pa rin nagigising si Bea. Tumawag ako kila Nanay noong sabado para ipaalam na hindi muna ako makakauwi pansamantala, pero hindi ko sinabi ang totoong dahilan para hindi na sila mag-alala pa.

I haven't reached out to Bea's family yet. As much as I want to call Tito Tobias so he could inform her father, Tito Terrence, I've held back. I know Beatrice is adamant about keeping her personal struggles private, especially from her mother, and I choose to respect her wishes. Yet, seeing her like this is agonizing. It hurts to watch her suffer. She has endured so much, yet she continues to shield a family that should have been the first to protect and support her. I utterly despise them—especially her mother. This is her fault. If she hadn't forced Beatrice into that marriage with that pathetic excuse for a husband, none of this would be happening.

Even without Beatrice saying a word, I knew deep down that this marriage wasn't something she truly wanted. I knew her better than most. In all the years I'd spent by her side, I had never seen her show even a flicker of interest in the many people who vied for her attention. While she was undeniably kind and polite to everyone she met, she always seemed to be missing a sense of genuine happiness or contentment. Despite the long line of suitors, she never entertained a single one of them.

That's why I was floored when I found out she had gotten married last year. I dismissed it at first, convinced it was some sort of joke because it was so out of character for her. And if it were true, I suspected it was just another scheme orchestrated by her mother, who had always kept Beatrice on a tight leash. Yet, Beatrice insisted she loved the man. I couldn't shake my unease, but because it was her decision, I chose to step back and let it be. I just never imagined that things would end up like this.

Napakurap ako nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko na nakapatong sa maliit lamesa ng couch. Kinuha ko 'yon para tignan kung sino ang tumatawa. It's Jewel.