Sexy Virus (Phoenix #1)

Chapter 48

Chapter 48 - Awake

My eyelids feel like they're taped shut. I have to use all my strength to open an eye, and for what feels like my fiftieth attempt, I have successfully opened them.

The white ceiling is the first thing I see, hanggang sa parang may pumukpok na namang martilyo sa ulo ko. Napapikit na lang ulit ako sa sakit.

"Ow..."

I blink slowly to focus my vision, but I'm suddenly being squeezed.

"Heloise! You're awake! Thank God!"

I can't see his face dahil sa higpit ng yakap niya sa'kin, but I recognize his voice as well as his pink and purple hair.

"Dahan-dahan, Ro. Hindi ka si Clark para magreact ng ganyan."

Kumalas sa'kin si Roane para lang samaan ng tingin si Chain, but he smiles again for me. "Sorry Hel, I got too excited. Ilang araw kang walang malay eh."

Nilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid. Everything is white... the walls, the door, my bed, and even the clothes I'm wearing. The cool smell of alcohol and disinfectants in my nostrils... I'm in a hospital... with Phoenix Y. Halos sabay-sabay nila akong nilapitan at sunod-sunod na nagtanong.

"How are you feeling?" Cole starts.

Followed by Lane, "Okay ka na ba?"

And Brent, "May masakit ba sa'yo?"

"I'm..." halos hindi ko makilala ang boses ko. My throat is so dry too, hindi ko magawang lumunok. "I'm fine... but my head hurts."

"Are you hungry? May gusto ka bang kainin?"

Umiling ako sa tanong ni Xian, "I'm... thirsty."

Mabilis akong inabutan ni Chain ng isang basong tubig. "Here, drink up."

"Kami lang muna ang nandito, bawal kasi ang masyadong maraming tao sa loob. Nasa labas ang X at ang parents mo." Roane explains, pressing the button beside me para tawagin ang doktor.

"Hindi ka namin iniwan mag-isa Hel, not even a second." Lane reassures. He even offers me a smile, flashing his dimples.

Lumabas naman si Brent para tawagin ang X na naghihintay sa labas. Pagpasok nila, naghanda naman sa paglabas ang Y.

"It's X's turn, labas muna kami." Paalam ni Xian.

"See you later, sleeping beauty." Chain winks at me and grins at Clark, but Clark ignores him.

Dere-deretso lang itong lumapit sa'kin at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko. "Are you okay? Kamusta ang pakiramdam mo? May masakit ba? Nahihilo ka ba?"

I try to smile, but even that hurts. "I'm okay, Clark... I just... I just have a request."

"What is it?"

"Can you..." I'm speaking slowly, but they patiently wait for me. "Can you all stay here for a while? All twelve of you... please?"

Huminto sa paglabas ang Y, and they all look at each other, then at Saint.

"Okay." the leaders says, "We'll make an exemption. Magpapaliwanag na lang ako sa kanila mamaya."

This is probably their hospital, sa pinagdalhan ko noon kay Eizen.

Troy sits at the edge of my bed, "Is there anything you want to say, Hel?"

Humugot ako ng hininga. "I'm..." I clench my fists against Clark's hands, and unclench them again. "I'm so sorry..." My eyes hurt, kahit simpleng paglabas ng luha, masakit din. "I'm so sorry you guys... I should have... I shouldn't have blamed you... it...it wasn't your fault... hindi dapat ako nagalit... hindi ko dapat kayo kinalimutan... I'm so sorry for hurting you... you saved our lives... but instead of thanking you guys I—" napahinto ako dahil sa malakas na paghikbi. I don't want to stop yet, I want to keep apologizing. Saying it a few times isn't enough.