Say You Won't Let Go

XV. "In sickness and in health..."

A/N: Sorry for the long overdue update. As usual, will just edit this (hopefully) later. 🙃😉

December 2019

The previous days were either sunny or gloomy, but on that particular Saturday, it rained. The streets were almost empty except for several cars passing by. The only sounds you can hear were raindrops and the siren of an ambulance which was headed to the most guarded place in the country — Malacañan Palace.

The guards immediately opened the gates upon seeing the emergency vehicle approaching. They did not even stop it for a security check, but instead, closed the gates after it entered the premises. On the outside, the Palace looked peaceful and normal, but once you go inside, you will be welcomed with a chaotic scenario: security personnels running around, several staff talking to one another, and most of all, medical people who were bringing out special kits from the ambulance.

Upon entering the halls, one could hear familiar voices speaking with a sense of urgency.

"Bakit ngayon lang dumating ang ambulansya," Executive Secretary Medialdea asked. He was profusely sweating despite the room being cold. He grabbed several tissue papers from the nearby holder.

Senator Bong Go ended a call first before answering briefly. "Hinintay pa ho ang kits kanina."

The Executive Secretary does not look fully convinced with the statement of the senator. That was when the Defense Secretary entered the scene.

"Ang sabi nila ay emergency ang procedure na gagawin ngayon kay Pangulo. Kagabi pa pala may nararamdaman, bakit ngayon lang itinawag," he asked.

"Kasi nga ho—," The senator was immediately interrupted with a follow-up question.

"Nasaan si Ma'am?" Delfin asked then, looked at his phone to dial her number.

The senator smirked. "Hindi ko ho—,"

"Nandito. Nasaan si Pangulo," said a very familiar voice. She was wiping her arms as they were wet from the rain. She looked sharply at the senator.

"Paano niyo ho nalaman na—," he was interrupted once more.

Medialdea butted in. "I was the one who called her while I was on my way here. Of all the people here, she's supposed to be one of the firsts to know the President's condition."

The senator kept mum and looked away.

"Gentlemen, I don't think we have enough time now to blame each other. Nasaan ang —," she was stopped when the head doctor announced the code: ARF.

The four of them immediately went to the West Wing of the Palace which was converted to a mini hospital in case an emergency like this takes place.

The doctors inside the "Intensive Care Unit" stopped them. "Hindi po pwedeng pumasok ang lahat. Sa pinirmahan po ni Pangulo na waiver, si Ma'am lang po ang pwedeng pumasok."

The woman being talked about — who's no other than Vice President Leni Robredo — prepared herself to enter the room. She had to wear the proper attire before entering the area. Once she was inside, the three went talking.

"Bakit siya lang ang pinapasok," Go asked. "Bakit tayo, hindi? Kahit ako na lang sana?"

Delfin looked at him fiercely. "Don't start it."

Go did not stop. He talked to the medical staff instead. "Baka pwedeng pumasok din ako? Hindi mo ba ako kilala?"

Delfin had to pull him away from the room. "Huwag ngayon, Bong. Huwag ngayon."