NS 01: SLEEPING ADONIS ✅(To Be Published)

Chapter 11

CHRYSANTHEMUM MANSION

Inalog ni Ghaile ang wine na laman ng hawak na crystal glass at pinagmasdan ang ice cubes na nagbubungguan. Mula roon ay nakikita niya ang magandang mukha ni Safhire Magdalene. Nakangiti at nangungusap ang mapupungay na mga mata.

Ayaw man niyang aminin pero matindi ang crush niya sa babaeng iyon. Nakakatawa na nakakainis. Ginawa niyang lahat para mahanap ito. Bigo siya. But Athrun found her effortlessly. Tadhana ba ang gumawa ng paraan para magtagpo ang landas ng dalawa? It feels like he's being cheated by some force beyond his control. It's disgusting.

Lumagok ng alak si Ghaile at umalis sa pagkakasandal sa malaking haligi. Humakbang ang binata palabas ng heavy glass door. At saglit na nahinto nang matanaw sa may pool ang chairman. Pasado alas-diyes na ng gabi. Dapat tulog na ito.

"Pasaway talaga!" Nabulong ng doctor.

Bumaba siya sa marble stairs at nilandas ang pathway patungong swimming pool. Nakaupo sa gilid ng pool ang chairman at may pinagkakaabalahan. Gumagawa ito ng mga bangkang-papel gamit ang luminous colored papers. Bawat matapos ay inilalagay nito sa tubig. Mayroon nang mahigit sampung bangka- bangkaang papel ang lulutang-lutang sa swimming pool at kumikinang dahil sa liwanag ng buwan.

"Chairman," pukaw niya rito.

"Hindi ka rin makatulog?" anitong hindi siya tinitingnan.

Naupo siya sa tabi nito at pinagmasdan ang reflection ng buwan sa tubig. "Those resident doctors in the district hospitals, they're all sulks. I can't believe they can't even handle minor operations there." Himutok niya.

Doon lang siya sinulyapan ni Athrun. "Be considerate, Ghaile. They're nothing like you."

"Bunch of cowards."

"You don't understand. Everything lies in there isn't about commitment. What they're after of having this kind of profession is something more tangible."

"I won't forgive doctors who compromise their patient's life for money," aniyang napapatiim.

"That's exactly the reason why I created Infirmaria and putting you and Lyam in-charge. I want you to do some changes in those hospitals under our control. Once we succeed, the rest of the world will definitely follow."

"Thank you for the trust. I'll try harder to live up to your expectation."

"That's great. Anyway, how's the renovation of Infirmaria west wing?"

Lumagok ng alak si Ghaile at ibinaba sa kanyang tabi ang crystal glass. "Regarding that, Haydees told me, he suspended the renovation for the meantime. That's about two months ago."

"Why is that?"

"May nagpasabog sa warehouse ng mga light materials. May casualty at sampu sa mga laborers ang sugatan."

"And you haven't told me anything?" Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Athrun.

"Inaalala ni Haydees ang kalusugan mo."

"But, still..." Ibinaba nito sa tubig ang bagong natapos na bangkang-papel. "I should be informed. My responsibilities won't change regardless of my health conditions. It's the resistance doing isn't it?"

"The elders' faction."

"The elders who thought they have the monopoly of right."

"Hindi natin sila pwedeng balewalain."

"They're just grubs. Nevertheless, I must stop them and the resistance before their forces ruined everything bit by bit."

"Leave them to us. You can't waste your time over pity things like crashing those irrelevant people." Dinampot ni Ghaile ang crystal glass at inubos ang natirang alak. Hindi pa oras para bumalik sa capital ang chairman. Pero nag-aalala siya baka hindi niya ito makayang pigilan. He has to find Haydees and talk to him. He's the only one who can persuade Athrun. But that jerk seems enjoying his own game.