Secret Love Nest

Blood

Qing gave me a pitying look as he started filling out the form in front of him. I can't help but pout at our doctor friend who keeps on shaking his head on me.

Doctor: You can't donate blood Dayu. You are a bit thin and underweight plus you are bordering anemic. I thought I gave you orders to fatten up and rest?

He did but...

Me: I've been busy. But I swear I am eating.

Qing: (looking at the doctor) You are not advising him to donate blood, right Gege? You will not permit it, right?

Doctor: (nodding at Qing) Yes. He is not qualified to give blood. To be honest I want to put an IV on him and give him some glucose. Are you starving him Qing?

Qing: (laughing sarcastically) Yeah I am starving him. To the point that I am shoving food on his mouth so he will eat.

I gave him a stinky stare. He doesn't shove food on my mouth! Yet! He threatens me to eat or to remember eating. And to take my vitamins but forcing me to eat? We haven't gone to that stage yet.

Doctor: (disapproving) Tsk tsk Dayu. You should eat. I know celebrities are very concious on their weight and food intake but you have to remember to take care of your health and not just your appearance and desire to look thin on the TV.

Great! Now here's another one that will nag at me about my health. Like Qing nagging me is not enough on that job.

Qing: (sneering while still writing) You see that expression on his face Gege? He is annoyed now. Dayu hates people nagging about his welfare. He is ungrateful that way. Next he will roll his eyes on you.

I roll my eyes. On him. I pouted too. A lot. Qing and our doctor friend just laugh at me.

Qing's mom advised us to donate blood. It's her new advocacy. To encourage more young healthy people to donate blood to hospitals in case patients need blood transfusion.

Qing's mom: That doctor's speech on that conference really spoke to me. How patients on the operating room died in blood loss and how they could have save those patients if they just have enough blood on their blood bank. But sadly, people who are willing to donate blood are too few against the demand. You two should donate some. You are both young and looks healthy. Your blood can save someone in the future.

So Qing and I volunteered readily to donate. But Qing's mom was wrong. Yes we are both young but Qing is the only one healthy enough to donate his blood.

Me...I am not qualified.

A middle aged nurse came in and guide us to the next room. She started readying the things that will be needed to extract Qing's blood. He was directed to a hospital bed to lay there.

I was left feeling unsure of what to do. Qing raise his hand and beckoned at me.

I took his hand and he directed me to sit on the chair besides the bed.

Qing: I am scared. You can give me confidence.

Me: (deadpanned) You are not scared.

Qing: (laughing) Yeah I am not. But still, it is nice to hold you hand.

Awwww...satisfied? Are the number of "w"s enough or should I add more to emphasize our giddiness at his chessiness?

Goodness that rhymes!

Anyway. The nurse came back holding a blood bag. She came to Qing's other side and noticed our holding hands.

I blushed and was about to take my hand from Qing when the nurse smile and said nothing.

I was genuinely surprise. So she is not disapproving even if she has an idea about our relationship.

I look at Qing who also saw the nurse smiling at us and he winked at me. I blush some more and look down to hide my face.

In no time at all, everything is ready and the blood started to flow from Qing to the bag swaying gently on a weird weighing machine.

I am not familiar at the equipments in a hospital. Or the terms they use.

In my defense I will say that I major in Performing Arts and not Medicine.

Me: (at Qing) It doesn't hurt?

Qing: Nope.

I nodded, satisfied that he is fine. I took out my phone and started looking for funny videos to watch with him as we wait for the bag to fill.

We still haven't finish a third video when the nurse entered again. It's over. Qing had done his civic duty. He will do this again after three or four months.

We came back to the doctor's office after the IV line was taken off Qing and the nurse cleaned and disinfect the needle mark on Qing's inner elbow (I should start learning some medical terms)

Doctor: Drink plenty of water and that ferrous sulfate tablets I gave you. Have some steak tonight, it's rich in iron.

Qing: (nodding) Is that all?

Doctor: Yes. And thank you again for doing this here, in our hospital. I hope you can encourage more people to donate blood.

Qing and I nodded.

Qing: I will tell my friends. And if your hospital will advertise this kind of things, call me and I will be willing to film a commercial for you Gege.

Doctor: Glad to hear that. (Turning to me) Dayu, eat some iron rich food too. And try not to tire yourself too much. I know being a performer can be tasking but you really have to take care of yourself.

Me: I will.

Doctor: (nodding in satisfaction) I will call when we have the results for your blood tests.

Qing and I nodded and say our thank yous and goodbyes. We took advantage of the fact that we are at the hospital to get our blood tested again.

We are very diligent in our health.

I hope everyone has their health on their mind too. We have to stay healthy to function well. I am taking my vitamins and iron sulfates from now on. I plan to donate my blood with Qing when we come back.

Qing is treating us to steaks tonight. He deserves it after donating blood that could save someone. And I need it because like what the nice doctor said, I am bordering anemic.

People, donate blood if you can. Go to the nearest hospital or blood bank organization that you trust and know and take the test if you are qualified to donate.

It can save lives. How cool is that? We don't need super human strength or a cape or an iron suit to be a superhero. All we need is donate our blood if we are qualified and we can save a life.

So donate. It doesn't hurt, like what Qing said. Just do it in a respectable hospital with people who knew how to stick clean needles on human skin.

See you next time.