Pieces of Pastiche

Kabanata 16

"Do you need help in packing?"

I look at Archer when I heard his question. They are here in Aurora and I's room. Lorenz preferred to be left alone for now so they slept here in Aurora and I's room. All day yesterday Lorenz just locked himself in their room.

"Please put these comforts in one of my suitcases." Please. He nodded at me and did as I say. Yesterday, we chose those to take home to the Philippines, after all, there was nothing to do. We flew tonight. There is only one week of rest after duty again.

I just gasped. I know Lorenz will need quiet some time to cope up. During our conversation yesterday, I told him it was not his fault that he was not there to protect Mikaela.

"Are you okay?"

I smilled at Archer upon his question. I was so attached to him. He is too caring and observant, something I never thought of. I nodded his question. He held my hand and squeezed it.

"I'm just really sad for Lorenz. Ever since he and Mikaela broke up after our residency, he just cried. Maybe seeing Mikaela after years made him long for her more." My story. He just stared at me thinking that what I was saying was very important. It feels good to have someone look at you with full adoration, like you are the only thing that matters in his world.

"He'll be okay. He's Lorenz." He said, comforting me. I nodded.

We resumed the packaging. Sandro and Aurora were asleep because they watched a football game last night while Archer and I went home to make sure Lorenz ate.

In the evening we went to the airport. Dr. was also called. Aldea. Saying we are a private plane today because it is said to be the great success of our conference today. I was just shaken. We were really spoiled because of them by Dr. Salome and Dr. Aldea.

"Sus! We're just a private plane because Archer is with us!" Sandro remarked while biting on his subway sandwich. Aurora laughed and shook Archer. I don't know if we are but I love the warmth of his hands on mine. We have been holding hands before but Sandro and Lorenz have no questions and I appreciate them not asking.

"No, we earned it." Archer denied.

"No, we earned it" Sandro imitated, "..we earned you kamo!"

It's really noisy. I saw Lorenz hold back a laugh. Atleast he is laughing.

Arriving at the airport, we went straight to the boarding gate after immigration. On the plane we boarded, we had companions although on the cover since its maximum plane was fifteen persons.

Magkatapat kami ni Archer sa upuan samantalang nasa kabilang aisle namin si Lorenz. Another woman is sitting in front of him samantalang si Sandro ay katapat si Aurora.

May pinaguusapan kami ni Archer about a procedure nung biglang tumawa si Sandro. Nilingon tuloy namin siya kasi mukha siyang baliw.

"Ang ingay mo talagang abnormal ka! Nakatingin na sila lahat!" natawa ako sa hirit ni Aurora. Lumingon naman si Sandro at nakitang nakatingin nga sa kanya ang lahat. Lumapad pa lalo ang ngiti ni gago.

"Nakatingin sila kasi gwapo ako. Yun lang yon." Kumpyansa niyang sabi. Natigil lang nung binato siya ni Lorenz ng magazine.

"Masakit ah," singhal niya. "Pero okay na yan kesa naman mukha kang psychotic diyan, Lolo!"

Dahil sa sinabi niya, mas binato pa siya ni Lorenz ng gamit. Napailing na lang ako.

"Parang mga bata." Utas ko. Archer chuckled.

"Your little brothers." Pagsangayon niya.

"Imagine, years ko nang pinapalaki yang mga yan." Sabi ko. Archer laughed at my comment.

"Ay! Traydor si Quinn at nagsasarili sila ni pareng Archer!" Nilingon ko nanaman si Sandro na nagiingay. Nakakahiya talaga to.

"Ano ba kasi yung nakita mo?" tanong ko. Tumawa nanaman siya na akala mo ay naalala ang pinanood. Humarap siya kay Aurora.

"Aura, ano bang lapis o ballpen ang ginamit mo at di ka mabura bura sa puso't isipan ko?" tanong ni Sandro kay Aurora at pinamulahan naman si Aurora. Napailing na lang ako. Sandro can't see how attracted Aurora is to him. Siraulo talaga. Ngayon, ako na ang bumato sa kanya, bottled water naman.

"Aray ha! Bakit ka ba nagseselos eh may Archer ka naman?"

Bigla kaming natigil nung maramdamang gumagalaw masyado ang eroplano. May trubulence siguro pero medyo tumatagal tagal na.

"Ladies and gentlemen, keep your seatbelts fastened. We are flying through a turbulent area. For your own safety, we kindly request you to keep your seatbelts fastened. We are already making all necessary deviations to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable flight. Thank you.."

Matapos marinig ang piloto, agad kong binalik ang seatbelt ng upuan ko. Lumipas ang ilang minuto pero ganun pa din. Napatili na lang ako nung may narinig akong sumabog. Nagulat ako nung maramdaman ang kamay ni Archer sa akin. Hindi ko alam na ang higpit na pala ng hawak ko sa upuan ko.

"May I have your attentio, please. This is the Captain speaking. We've had our sub engine malfunctioned, stopped and is on fire, therefore, we'll be having our emergency landing in Hikaraya, Northern Africa. It is essential that you keep calm and follow the flight attendants' instructions. I request that you keep seated until the aircradt comnes to a complete stop and wait for further information."

Bumilis lalo ang tibok ng puso ko mula sa narinig ko. Agad agaran ang naramdaman kong paghirap ng hinga dahil sa biglaang pag descent. Habang abala ako sa pagsusuot ng oxygen, nakita ko ang isang lalaking biglang nakahawak na sa leeg niya ta hirap huminga.

"Help! Help!"

Kahit bawal, bigla kong tinanggal ang seatbelt ko. The flight attendants on seats were shouting at me telling me to go back.

But I can't. Kahit pa buhay ko ang maeendanger, I sworn an oath.

"Miss! Please go back to your seat!"

"What?! Do you want me to leave this patient? Go get your med kit!" hindi ko na napigilang sumigaw. Isang amerikano ang nahihirapan huminga. Nakaitngin siya sakin na parang humihingi ng tulong. His eyes were bulging already.

Nagulat ako nung nasa tabi ko na pala si Archer.

"One hard headed, lady." Utas niya na di ko pinansin. Parang may tinuturo sa akin yung lalaki pero hindi ko maintindihan.

"He has a Panic Anxiety Disorder." Sabi ni Archer. Tinuro niya ang suot na medical bracelet. Nagulat kami nung bigla na lang manginig ang lalaki at mag seizure. Shit.

Archer immediately removed the seatbelt. Nahirapan pa kami dahil bukod sa pagkakalock nito, binuhol pa niya ito. Panic.

I laid him down and tilted his head. Archer immediately snatche dthe kit from the flight attendant. It's hard to be steady because the plane is moving. He suddenly lost his balance and hit the chair.

"Quinn!" I heard Lorenz shout. He also got up and ran to me.

"You're bleeding!"

"The patient's head! Hold it fast!"

I took gauze from the kit and applied pressure to my head. Bleeding. Shit, I'll be needing stitches.

Archer gave the patient Diazepam for his seizure. Gradually the patient stopped shivering. I breathed hard.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we arrived at .."

"Quinn!"