"Babe!!!!!" Tyrone exclaimed when I went out of the shower. I scooped him up. "You won! You won! You won," he said and showered my face with his tiny kisses.
"Thank you, babe! I heard you. You were amazing in cheering too," I said.
Tyrone happily hugged me tight. I saw the Van Opstal family in the dugout as they congratulate everybody. Then I noticed Kuya Axel, who is supposed to be with my son, is nowhere to be found.
"Where's Tito Axel?" I asked Tyrone.
"He went to Daddy," Tyrone answered vaguely.
"What? Why?" I felt something uncomfortable.
"Ara, Congrats! Galing, iba ka talaga," Cienne happily greeted and I smiled to her compliment. "Tsaka nga pala, iniwan muna ni Kuya Axel si Tyrone samin kanina. Kailangan daw kasi siya sa hospital."
"Ha? Bakit daw?" My heart is skipping beats.
"Hindi sinabi eh. Sabi niya, huwag ka na lang daw mag-alala," Cienne said.
"Kanina pa siya umalis?" I asked again.
"Mga mid-second set ata," Cienne answered. "Uy, relax lang. I-enjoy mo na yang championship mo."
Cienne must've noticed my anxiety. At the back of my mind, I know something is happening. I put down Tyrone and searched for my things. I fished out my phone and immediately dialed Kuya Axel's number. He isn't answering. I tried calling Mariel, finally she answered.
"Hello," she answered.
"Yiel, nasan ka?" I asked immediately.
"Nasa hospital Ate," I heard her answer.
Then I heard Thomas' voice. "Yiel, don't tell her..." he said with his faint but stern voice.
"Don't tell me what? What's happening?" My heart pulse raced.
"Ah-h Ate, sabi ni Kuya Thomas, congratulations daw," Mariel tried to be enthusiastic but I know better.
"Bakit umalis si Kuya Axel? May nangyari ba kay Thomas?" I asked worriedly.
"Ah-h, a-ano po, kailangan lang ng blood transfusion ni Kuya Tho-,"
"Mariel!" I heard Thomas again. His voice is still weak but authorative.
"Don't listen to him, tell me," I countered.
There was a brief silence. I know Mariel is deliberating if she wants to follow her brother of me. "Ate, sorry. Gusto ka daw makausap ni Kuya," she said.
After a few seconds, "Hey Champ!" It was Thomas. "I was watching you on tv. You were –"
"What happened?" I interrupted.
"Nothing really serious. Don't worry, enjoy your championship there," he said with his fake strong voice.
"Can you just tell me what exactly happened?" I demanded.
"Wala nga, medyo nag-bleed lang ako ng konti and the doctor said for precautionary measures, magta-transfuse na lang daw ng dugo," he relayed.
"You need me there? Okay yung test ko diba? I can be a donor," I asked directly.
"No need, nandito na si Kuya. Ara, stop worrying, everything is fine. Hey! You won the championship!" he changed the topic.
"I'm going there," I said and hang up. I didn't wait for his reply. I know he'll just object.
