Remnants of Our Drowned Love

Chapter 19

For the hundredth time of the day, tinignan ko ang orasan. What took her so long to arrive? Late na siya and that would be a news because Olie is never late at work.

Baka tanghali lang nagising.

I kept myself busy until I feel like I'm really looking for her presence, iba kasi ang kutob ko, hindi ako mapakali so I called her. But she's out of reach.

So I just left a message asking where the fuck she is.

Dalawang oras nanaman ang lumipas ay hindi parin ito nag-re-respond, I'm getting really worried.

"Fuck," mura ko dahil hindi talaga ito matawagan. Nilingon ko ang desk niya, hindi talaga ako sanay na wala siya doon. I don't have this feeling na umalis siya, hindi niya iyon gagawin at this point so I crossed it out. Right now wala akong nagagawa sa mga papeles ko dahil wala dito ang focus ko.

Nakapag-iwan na akong fifteen missed calls why not gawing sixteen-I called her again and thank God she finally answered.

"Where the fuck are you?" I sternly asked.

"Oh, chill baby you're hot already." Maingay sa background niya, meaning wala ito sa condo niya. How dare this woman call me baby hindi siya pumasok! Pansin ko pa na lagi niyang sinasabi 'yong line na 'yun!

"Montealondre, make sure you'll give me a valid report for your absence, were close but you're not exempted-"

"Sure, gusto mo ngayon na, eh."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, napapikit ako, I don't know why I'm feeling worried. "Just tell me you're okay, naiinis na ako, Olie, I've been calling you non-stop! You didn't even bother to text back."

Mas lalo akong nainis nang tawanan niya ako sa kabilang linya. I was about to end the call when she said something that made me stood up.

"I'm at the hospital."

Malakas na kumabog ang dibdib ko. I knew I feel uneasy since earlier. Fuck.
"Anong nangyari? Okay ka lang? Papunta na ako - where exactly the heck are you?"

Agad akong pumunta. Nervous. I'm Emotionally intelligent person and for the past years I'm in control of my emotions pero kani-kanina lang halos ang sarap nitong sapokin sa noo, I'm fucking worried that I forgot the whole fucking word - emotionally intelligence what???

Diretcho kaagad akong nagtanong kung saan ba nakapwesto ang ward kung nasaan siya, for someone rich she's fucking dumb to be in a semi-private ward.

The lady in the lobby couldn't utter a word properly kaya halos magdugo na ang ibabang labi ko sa inis, mas malala pa siya sa reseta ng doktor, hindi ko maintindihan.

"Just the direction please, I know how to read." Inexplain pa kasi niya kung ano, anong madadaanan ko. Nang magets ko ang simplified instruction niya ay nagpasalamat kaagad ako.

Na-stress pa ako sa paghahanap, parang kailangan ko pa ata magpa-confine.

I didn't even knock before opening the door, lahat tuloy ay napatingin sa akin. There were six beds in total, medyo malaki ang kwarto at hindi naman ganon kadikit-dikit, I saw Olie with a kid. Buo pa naman siya kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

Agad akong lumapit at napayakap nalang sa kaniya, napapikit ako nang rumehistro ang amoy niya.

I thought my heart was about to explode in nervousness.

"Aray ko hindi ako makahinga, Yvan!"

Napatitig ako sa kaniya nang kumalas, kinailangan kong i-pep-talk ang sarili kong 'wag masyadong matuwa na makita siyang ligtas.