White Lies

Stay The Night

"...She is down with the flu."

Dawn had never felt more relieved after the doctor's news on Lea's condition. She'd seen how the ER people were cramming on Lea to get her stable.

"Oh thank God! I was panicking na because she was not responding, Doc sure ba tayo na there's nothing more?"

"Well she managed to say a curse when I pressed a scope on her sternun earlier so that's a good sign. There is nothing to worry, all her lab tests are normal. Although she has electrolyte imbalance right now due to dehydration and alcohol intoxication. Was she been drinking?"

"Yes Doc, last night po."

"Okay. The alcohol in her system is quite high, adding up with the severity of her fever. Her body is overfatigued, could be a reason also why her immune system is acting up."  The doctor look something at the metal chart in hand and continued. "She came in here having a temp of 40, so we sponge bathed her with iced water. But nothing worry, we already gave her a fever inducer through her IV. Right now, we just need to manage her fever. She needs to be admitted."

"Okay po." Dawn croaked.

"You may see the patient now. The ER nurse will take over."

"Thank you Doc. Thank you."

They immediately went to Lea's bed in the ER and saw she is still sleeping. Her face flushed due to high fever. A nurse was checking on her temperature and took the towel on Lea's forehead for another sponge bath.

"Let me." Aga was quick to offer himself to do it.

The nurse nodded and smiled.

"The patient temp po is 39.2, nakausap na po kayo ni Doc?"

Dawn nodded in agreement.

"Ready na po yung room, need lang po ng signatory sa Admitting."

"Ay ako na, ako na." Vice volunteered.

"Okay po. Pa wait na lang sa Orderly for patient transfer. This way po." as the nurse ushered Vice to the Admitting.

Dawn sat down, hands on her face, she can feel na waterworks ready to collapse. Chard sat with her and envelope her in a hug.

"Hon, its okay. Don't worry na."

"Chard, I feel reponsible for what happened to Lea. I should've consider her condition before diving into that crazy idea of getting her drunk."

"Its not your fault." Aga butted in while carefully wiping Lea's face with iced cold towel. "Hindi mo naman siya pinilit. Sadyang matigas lang talaga ulo nitong kaibigan mo."

--

Lea is now transfered at her private room. A nurse is currently doing rounds on her vitals, recording her temperature and blood oxygen for monitoring.

"Her temp po is 38.3, pwede na itigil yung ice bath. In case tumaas po ng 39 ulit, please call the nurse station. Oh, and she's on fast drip right now, kapag nagising po siya at nag complain ng headache or palpitations, please call us immediately."

"Copy. Thank you nurse." Dawn replied as she sat down on Lea's side.

Vice went in with his phone on his ear.

"Okay sige. Kami na bahala. Thank you Rona."

"Ano sabi Vice?" Dawn asked.

"Bukas pa daw ng hapon yung nakuhang flight nila Tita at Gerard eh. Yun na yung pinaka earliest. Fully booked lahat. Nagising na ba si Lea?"

"Hindi pa, pero sabi ng Doc side effect ng gamot talaga is makatulog ang pasyente kasi need ng system nya mag regen."

"Dawn, uwi ka muna kaya, pahinga ka din. Baka ikaw naman sumunod nyan eh." Vice asked worriedly.

"Hon?" Chard inquired when she didn't respond.

"I can't leave her here. Hindi rin naman ako makakatulog." Dawn protested.

"Its okay Dawn. I'll stay the night, you can go back in the morning naman. Huwag ka rin matigas ang ulo. Please. " Aga suggested.

"Are you sure Ags?" Dawn asked him.

"100% sure."

Dawn was very hesitant to leave them both, together alone. She was biting her thumb contemplating maybe its best if Vice will stay with them.

"Ags-"

"Ano ka ba Dawn? Huwag ka mag-alala, hindi ko lalamugin si Lea."

---

Walang lamugan. 😅

#WhiteLies