MGA PAKIWARI AT PAGMUMUNI-MUNI (An AlDub Collection of Poems and Short Stories)

Thanksgiving (A4Day5)

He smiled as he was cutting the steak on his plate, looking up and gesturing to her, who was seated beside him to try the potatoes that his mother cooked especially for this thanksgiving dinner.

"These mashed potatoes that mom made are to die for, Maine.  Come on, don't be shy. Try it!"

He grinned wider when he saw her blushingly took a serving and ate a spoonful, moaning as she tasted it.

"You're right, Alden. This is really good."

"Told you," he replied cheekily as he continued on cutting his steak and taking a bite of his grilled asparagus.

Silence ensued after and the only thing that could be heard was the clanging of silverwares against plates and the occasional hum of the people seated around him, making him sigh in contentment.

This is how it should be. My family. All of them.

And the love of my life. My forever.

My Nicomaine.

Then he wiped his mouth before standing up and clinking his fork with his wine glass. Once he was sure he got everyone's attention - he smiled, his deep dimple appearing on his left cheek.

"I have an announcement to make!" he happily said as he took the hand of the lady seated beside him and gently pulled her up to stand with him.

"Alden," she whispered, even as she stood and smiled. "Must we do this now?"

"Of course, love," he whispered back. "What better time to announce this than when both our families are here with us."

He looked around and when he was sure everyone was gazing at them expectantly - he ecstatically but smugly announced, "I'd like to make a toast! To Nicomaine - my future wife..."

A heartbeat of silence, and then a rapturous applause and cheer suddenly erupted as each of their family stood up to hug and congratulate them.

He stood there, in the midst of it all, with a joyful and contented grin on his face and his loving gaze never leaving the love of his life.

//

"What is he doing now?"

"Ah, don't mind him. Every Thanksgiving, he's like that."

"He looks normal to me, though."

"You're the new nurse, aren't you?" the doctor, who was looking at the patient's file that was on the locked door, asked.

The new nurse nodded, even as she observed the bedimpled man inside the white, locked room through the observation window. With empty chairs around an empty table, he was laughing, quite joyfully too.

The doctor then handed her the man's file. "Here, get yourself acquainted with him. You would need to give him his medication in an hour. I suggest getting Chris with you as you would need someone who could restrain him while you administer his meds."

The nurse nodded absentmindedly, her brows already furrowed as she studied the patient's file, taking a sharp intake of breath as she read through who he was and what he went through.

//

Patient Name: RICHARDS, ALDEN R.
DOB: January 2, 1990
Age: 28 years
Sex: Male
Marital Status: Single
Address: N/A
Phone: N/A
Next of Kin: NONE
Emergency Contact: NONE

CURRENT MENTAL STATUS:
Schizophrenic, possibly bi-polar

REASON FOR ADMISSION:
Ordered by the County Judge for mental illness treatment. May be homicidal.

MENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND CASE PROGRESS REPORT:
Patient is initially admitted due to the county's judicial order after patient is deemed "insane" during his trial. He is a suspect for the Richards' Manor's burning to the ground five years ago during Thanksgiving, with him being the only sole survivor. The manor was found with all of his family's remains inside as well as that of the Dei's family, the Richards' business partners.

He was admitted into the hospital, shouting and laughing at the same time before weeping and calling out for "his Nicomaine" which, we now could conclude, was the name of his fiancée, the Dei's only daughter, who also died in the fire.

Patient is often cooperative but guarded, especially with his doctors and nurses. Sometimes angry and oftentimes depressed. He is most euphoric during Thanksgiving, however, often seen celebrating by himself.

He would have hallucinations and delusions at times, calling his nurses "Nicomaine" or even telling them that he would kill and burn them for betraying him.

OTHER COMMENTS:
Patient needs to be strapped down during the administration of his medications as he would usually spit out his tablets or syrups at his nurses and doctors. His current medications now include injectables. See next page for a list of his drugs.

//

A/N: Prompt called for a sad story. But I wanted it to be both sad and chilling at the same time. I hope naitawid ko yun dito. 😅

Unbeta'ed as always 😆

Tweet me at @wuthie16 😘