WRATH | SDS Present ✔ (TO BE EDITED)

Chapter 38

"Shit." Mahinang mura ko nang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan sa kalagitnaan ng byahe ko.

I turned on the wiper as the rain poured harder. Nalulunod ang tunog ng stereo sa lakas ng ulan kaya bahagya ko itong linakasan.

I jammed to the music while being stuck in traffic and tried to calm myself because I need it. Mabagal ang usad ng trapiko kaya unti-unting umiinit ang ulo ko. Male-late pa ata ako sa appointment ko.

Luckily, the rain has calmed when I reached my destination and I ran to the entrance dahil wala akong dalang payong. I wiped myself first before proceeding to the lobby.

"Good morning. I am here for Gwendalyn Santiago." Sabi ko sa receptionist.

"Kaano-ano nya po kayo, Ma'am?" Magalang na tanong ng babae.

"I'm Daniella Christine Guilermo." Tanging sabi ko kaya may tinignan sya sa computer bago nya ulit ako binalingan.

"Ay sige po, Ma'am. Papasamahan ko na lang po kayo kay nurse Jenna." Medyo nahihiya nyang sagot kaya maliit akong tumango bago nagpa-salamat.

I took deep breaths while we are on our way to Gwen's ward. I gripped the handle of my bag when we stopped in front of a white door. Pabilis nang pabilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa bawat segundong lumilipas at hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang gawin ito pero ito ang dapat.

"Okay lang po kayo, Ma'am?" Tanong ng nurse kaya bahagya akong natauhan.

"Yes, thank you." Mahinang sagot ko tapos ay tumango ako sa kanya kaya dahan-dahan nyang binuksan ang pinto.

When it was totally opened, I saw Gwen with her back facing us. She is standing at the other side of the bed while staring at the window. Her hair is tied in a low ponytail at halata ang pagiging dry nito na para bang hindi ito palaging nasusuklay. Then the pale yellow hospital dress is too big for her or maybe she just lost weight.

"Gwen?" Marahang tawag ng nurse na parang isang batang paslit ang kanyang tinatawag. "Gwen? May bisita ka." She added and that's when Gwen faced us.

I expected this yet I was still surprised at how torn her face is. Wala na ang mala-anghel na kagandahan ni Gwen and what's only present right now is weariness that caused her to age 10 years despite staying here for just months.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Nangigigil nyang tanong pero nanatili lang sya sa pwesto nya.

I looked at the jurse beside me and nodded at her. "Leave us alone. We need to talk in private." Sabi ko.

"Ay hindi po pwede, Ma'am."

"Leave." I said in a hard tone kaya mabilis syang tumango bago umalis.

Hinarap ko naman si Gwen at hindi pa rin nagbabago ang galit nyang mukha. I stayed in my place and we remained silent for moments and only the raindrops against the roof and window are what's giving us some noise.

"Bakit ka ba nandito, Daniella?" She said, now in a more calm tone but still laced with anger.

Gwen sat on the edge of her bed and I just stood frozen in my place. My throat is dry and I can't even think straight as my heartrate can't also steady.

From her lap, her eyes went to me so I jerked a bit because of surprise. I composed myself and walked three steps towards her and she just remained coldly looking at me. I slightly cleared my throat before I held my head high.

"I am here to tell you that you will be discharged tomorrow." Seryoso kong sabi at bahagya syang nagulat sa sinabi ko pero agad ring bumalik sa pagiging malamig ang mukha nya.