Forever By Your Side

Chapter 1 - All Around Husband

As the car sped up in the middle of the night on an empty road, his left arm was fully stretched, with her head leaning against it. On the other hand, there was Randolph, their child, sleeping on his chest. There was no way he could move, but he wouldn’t bother. It was heaven watching the two love of his life sleeping on his arms. As the car slowed down in the parking of their condo unit, he gently kissed her forehead.

 “ Mommy, dito na tayo. “

“Ay sorry dad. Nangalay kaba? “ She asked, gently rubbing his eyes.

“Anything for you. “ He said as he flashed another smile. The little smile that makes her melt.

“ Akin na si Randolph, dad. Napagod ka eh. “ She extended her arms, but he gently pushed it down.

“ Mommy, wag na makulit. Ako na, mas pagod ka. “

She got down the car, and went straight to their place. She turned on the lights, and settled her bag by the counter. Shortly after, he arrived with Randolph and their things.

“ Mommy, ayusin ko lang muna si Randolph ah? “

She nodded, and shortly answered, “Okay.” That was all she could say, as she was really exhausted from work the entire day. 

After a while, he settled Randolph on his crib. He went back to the couch where she sat.

“Mommy, lika na.” He said as he walks towards her. But he saw her with her eyes closed. She fell asleep on the side of the couch with her legs up the center table. He squatted a little and carried her all the way to their bedroom. He was going to leave her for a while to get a wet towel to clean her up, but he held her forehead and kissed her, surprised, she felt warmer than usual. He got up, and opened a drawer to get the thermometer. He swiftly went back to her and checked her temperature. After a click, it read 38. 7. He stood up again on panic, and ran to the bathroom. He hurriedly prepared water with alcohol and towel to clean her up. Then he rushed to her cabinet and got a pair of night socks and pajamas. Lastly, he got medicine from the drawer.

He was worried. He was on panic. He hates seeing the love of his life not feeling well. He cleaned her up, and changed her clothes. After, he made some soup and stored it inside the microwave so she could eat before she drinks the medicine when she wakes up. He sat beside her, and waited for her to wake up. But since he was also tired, he fell asleep while sitting on a chair beside their bed, holding her hand. She groaned with a throbbing head.

“Mommy, how are you feeling? Are you okay? Ano masakit? Do you need anything?”

“ Ang sakit ng ulo ko.” She softly answered, with watery eyes.

“ 38.7 ka kanina eh. I made you some soup, microwave ko lang para makakain ka na. Then drink medicine. “ He kissed her hand before getting up.

“ Here you go, mommy. “ He placed the tray on their side table and fixed the pillow up the bed’s headboard so she could lean with comfort. He got the soup bowl, and spooned the mushroom soup he prepared. He blew it a little, before letting her eat it. He treated her just how a mother would take care of her sick child. He placed back the soup bowl on the tray, went back to the kitchen, and got more warm water.

“ Daddy “ She faintly called. He rushed back to her, surprised to see vomit beside the bed.

“ Mommy! “ Hysterical, he gave him water and wiped her mouth. She was freezing even though she was wrapped with their comforter. Her eyes seemed like she was about to cry. Her lips were so pale, and so was her skin. He got the warm seed pack and placed over her head.

“ Rest now, mommy. You need it. Sleep ka na. “ He softly said, massaging her hair.

“ Si Randolph ba okay na? Yung gamit mo bukas, kailangan mo pumasok sa school diba? “ She said, still being such a caring mom and wife. But he didn’t want her to worry about anything, and just really rest so the she’d feel better soon.

“ Mommy, okay na si Randolph. I’m not going to school tomorrow. I’m not going anywhere but here with you. Matulog ka na, please. “

“Pero…” But before could finish, he kissed her lips. “ Wag na makulit. Rest now. I love you, mommy. “ Then he tucked her in.

He fixed up himself quickly. It was midnight, so he decided to do his phone calls first thing in the morning. He leaned his head on their headboard, slightly lying down. But he didn’t shut his eyes. Instead, he looked at his wife worriedly. He brushed her hair with his hand softly until he fell asleep after some time.

He pressed his eyes hard, as he was awoken with a faint noise from the living room. He panned his head to the left and realized he was alone in their bed. He immediately got up, and wore his glasses that were placed on his side table.

“ Mommy? “  He called her.

“  Good morning, daddy. Nagising kasi ako, eh hindi na ko ulit makatulog. Inaayos ko na bag mo for school. Luto na ko breakfast? “ She said as she glances at him from time to time while organizing his bag.

“ Mommy, I told you I’m not going anywhere until you’re completely okay. Go back to bed and rest. “

“ Okay na nga ako, nothing to worry about. “

He slowly went to her and felt her forehead and neck. She was still warm.

“Mainit ka parin oh. Magpahinga ka na, please. I’m begging. I don’t wanna argue about this.” He said as he held her hand.

“ Paano school mo? “

“ I’ll handle it. Now please go to bed, and I’ll be the one to prepare your breakfast. “

After preparing the breakfast, he went back to their room and got his phone. She fell asleep while sitting against the headboard. He got his phone and called Mommy Divine.

“ Hello? “ Mommy Divine answered.

“ Ay, Mommy. Good morning po. Nagising po ba kita? “

“ Ah hindi naman. Bakit ka napatawag? “

“ Si Sarah po kasi may sakit. Nag 38.7 po kagabi. Kung pwede sana dyan po muna si Randolph? Baka po kasi mahawa. “

“ Ha? Oh sige, pupunta na kami dyan. “

“ Thank you po. Ingat. “

 She woke up with a throbbing head again. Randolph woke up and started to cry. He went back to their room.

“ Mommy, ako na bahala kay Randolph. Papunta na sila Mommy Divine dito. Dun muna si Randolph habang may sakit ka. “

She nodded, still with the tearing eyes.

He prepared his food and milk and fed him. He was sitting on the coach, and Randolph on his lap. After few minutes, Randolph cried. He changed his diapers and let him play with his toys on his blue playing mat. He microwaved the soup for her so she could drink her medicine on time. Just as he was nearing their room with the tray, he heard her sobbing.

“ Mommy! Ano nangyari? Why are you crying? What’s wrong? Ano masakit? Dalhin na ba kita sa hospital? “ He frantically said.

“ Hindi ako makagalaw. Ang sakit sakit talaga ng ulo ko. “ She softly said while sobbing.

“ Here, I prepared food. Kain ka na para makainom ka na ng gamot. Kawawa naman asawa ko oh. “ He guided her back so she could sit up a little. He fed her the soup then gave her the medicine. He rushed to get the warm seed pack and placed it on her head. He tucked her in again just like a baby. He checked her temperature again, and surprised to see 39 degrees. He panicked.

“ Hala! 39 mommy. Sandali ah, I’ll call a doctor to go here. Try to sleep na muna. Okay? I love you. “

She flashed a little smile. 

Hysterical, he called Mommy Divine again.

“Hello po? 39 degrees na po temperature ni Sarah. Tatawag na po ako ng doctor. “

“ Sige, malapit na kami. Salamat sa pagalaga kay Sarah. “

“ Syempre po. Mahal na mahal ko anak niyo, asawa ko. Si Sarah. “