If Only I Hadn't *ON GOING* (formerly I'm in love with a stripper)

Strip 37

Chapter 37

"Maraming salamat po talaga sa walang sawa niyong pagtulong sa amin."

"Please, Mr. Lionel, alam naman nating wala ito sa lahat ng naitulong niyo sa pamilya namin, lalo na sa lolo ko." The smell of alcohol lingers on my nose. It brings back memories from 5 years ago. The blood, my baby, my love.

"Would you like to see our new Pedia ward?"

"Lead the way." We were slowly crossing a busy hallway when we noticed a commotion. "What's this area, Mr. Lionel?"

"Emergency room. Kadalasan, puno talaga sila, lalo na kapag may okasyon sa bayan."

"I see." I was about to turn my gaze away from the said room when I heard a woman yelling. More like pleading.

"Doktor, please. Ang anak ko! Please!"

No! My mind is playing tricks on me again. I blinked a couple of times, but her figure is still there. But she's not alone. A tall man was ahead of her, laying a small girl on his arms down the gurney.

"Mr. Collins, shall we--"

"Hold on." I didn't turn my eyes away, not even for a second. I quietly watch as she cried on the bedside. A small boy, holding her left arm firmly from her side. And for a split second, I thought I saw the me when I was his same age. My son.

"D-Doc--"

"Kayo po ba ang Nanay ng pasyente?"

"O-Opo. Okay naman po siya kanina, pero nagsimula po siyang magsuka. Nilalaganat na rin po siya. Doc, na-dengue po ba ang anak ko?"

"We still have to run some tests on her bago natin masigurado ang diagnosis ng bata."

"Kendra," Kendra, ikaw nga. "ako na muna ang bahala kay Payton. Hindi makakabuting makita ni Rapha na nasa ganitong sitwasyon ang kapatid niya." I balled my hands in a fist when I saw he guy holding her hands.F*ck, that filthy piece of s—

"No. Dito lang ako. Salamat po, Sir,pero kaya na po namin." That's my boy. "Mommy,"sabay hablot sa kamay ni Kendra, "huwag ka na pong umiyak. Gagaling din naman po agad si Payton, right?"

"Oo, anak. Gagaling agad si Payton." Hindi napigilan ng puso ko ang malungkot sa tanawing nasa harapan ko. Kendra held my son with so much adoration and love. I don't know what happened to them for the past 5 years, but hell I wont let them get away again. Not anymore.

"Mr. Lionel,"I called his attention, without moving my gaze. "Can you please make sure to attend to all of their needs. Make sure to have them assessed by the best doctors in your hospital. Give them the VIP room and if needed, transfer them right away to a tertiary or specialized hospital."

"B-But, Mr. Collins—for all we know, it's just dengue. Or food poisoning. We may not need to resort to extreme measures just because of a charity case and--"

Dahan-dahan akong naglipat ng tingin sa kaniya. "That's my wife and children you're calling charity case. If you want to end the help our company is giving you, I'll say, it's nice working with you for the past decade Mr. Lionel."

"I-Im sorry Mr.Collins. I didn't know you were married. I..I will personally assist your family." Dali-dali siyang lumapit sa mag-iina ko. And to my irritation, nakatayo pa rin sa gilid ni Kendra ang lalaking iyon.

Patience , Ethan, patience. You've waited long enough. Don't mess this up now. Don't scare her away again. Or you may not be able to see them.