Love Persist

Kabanata 45 - Within the white walls, a story silently yearns to be told.

My feet moved on autopilot as I rushed to my wardrobe, quickly grabbing a jacket and my keys. Heaven watched me with evident concern, but I didn't have the time to explain.

"Hey, baby, I have to head to the hospital right now."

"B-bakit?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

"It's an emergency. I'm really sorry about this. Are you okay staying here, or do you need to head home?"

"Malayo ang house ko, Ceci. Uhm, dito na lang ako."

I nodded and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Just as I was about to turn and leave, something made me pause. I realized I couldn't leave her alone in my condo like this—my conscience wouldn't allow it. Taking a deep breath, I turned back and looked at her with a pleading expression.

"I can't leave you here alone. Do you want to come with me?"

Sensing I was in a rush, she didn't respond verbally. Instead, she simply rolled off from her comfortable position and left the bed. We quickly exited the condo and headed straight onto the long road. My mind was a whirlwind of a million distressing thoughts, making it difficult to focus. The drive felt interminable, each passing moment heightening my anxiety. Yet, I pressed on, pushing through the mental fog, determined to get there swiftly and safely.

"Is everything alright, Ceci?"

I stole a brief glance at Heaven, but her expression told me that she could already sense the gravity of the situation. "I'm not sure," I replied honestly. "The nurse said it's urgent, but I don't know the details yet."

She simply nodded, her hand reaching out to give mine a gentle, comforting squeeze. She didn't ask any more questions, understanding that I was too overwhelmed to provide more details. I was still processing the news myself. It had been years since I had heard that name, and the mere mention of it had struck me to the core. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened and whether I was ready to face it.

The rest of the drive to the hospital was enveloped in a heavy silence, save for the occasional honking of horns and the rumble of the engine. When we finally reached the hospital, I hurriedly parked my car and rushed inside, with Heaven right by my side.

After inquiring at the reception, I was directed to the intensive care unit. As I made my way through the winding corridors, my heart raced with a million questions and a growing sense of dread. I followed the signs, guided by the sound of our footsteps echoing against the tiled floors. When I arrived at the ICU, a young nurse, who was standing near the nurses' station, approached me.

"Are you Priscilla Gil?"

I nodded. "Yes, that's me."

"I'm Nurse Liza. Thank you for coming so quickly. Please come with me."

The nurse led me and Heaven through the double doors and into the ICU. The nurse paused in front of a private room and took a deep breath before facing me.

"Ms. Ramirez has been battling lung cancer for some time now. Unfortunately, her cancer has become more aggressive and has metastasized. She had been our patient for the past few years, but over the last few weeks, her health has taken a turn for the worse." My head was spinning as the nurse continued, "At this point, we're doing everything we can to stabilize her, but I'm afraid her prognosis is not good. The doctors have recommended a DNR order, as further aggressive interventions are unlikely to be successful and may only prolong her suffering."

I struggled to process the nurse's words, feeling as though my brain had short-circuited. Still, I managed to face her with as much composure as possible. "I apologize if this is a sensitive inquiry, but could you please inform me of her condition? I am acquainted with the patient, though I have not been in contact with her for quite some time, and I was unaware of her illness."