Chapter 4: Baby

"Good work, Doctors." Sabi ng chief neurosurgeon namin.

Finally after six f-cking hours, Natapos na rin ang operasyon. Kailangan talaga namin tutukan ang operasyong ito.

"Doctor Andrada, Speak to the family and explain the operation. You're in charge now." Pinaalalahanan ako ni Doc.

"Yes, Doc."

Pagkalabas ko ng operating room ay sinalubong agad ako ng pamilya ni Wilson. Huling lumapit si Hugo. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit tuwing lumalapit si Hugo sa akin ay nangangatog ang binti ko.

"Kamusta si Wilson, Faye?" Tanonf agad ni Tita Cora.

"The operation is successful. Now, We have to wait until he is out of the critical stage. Twenty four hours to observe the patient. He will stay in the ICU with a nurse and standby doctor."

"Thank You, Faye. Maraming salamat sayo." Niyakap ako ni Tita Cora.

"I only did what I had to do, Excuse me, Ma'am."

Bumitaw agad ako sa yakap ni Tita. I don't want to feel guilt anymore. Pakiramdam ko ay bumabalik ang masasakit na alaala ko tuwing niyayakap ako ni Tita Cora.

Pagod na pagod akong naupo sa couch sa aking clinic. Gusto ko ng ipikit ang mga mata ko sa antok pero mamaya na lang pagka-uwi ko.

Nagbihis na ako dahil kanina ko pa suot ang scrub suit ko simula nung operasyon kagabi.

Nagsimula ang clipping ng alas-diyes ng gabi at natapos kami ng alas-kwatro ng madaling araw.

Kailangan ko ng umuwi antok na antok na talaga ako. Gusto ko rin maligo dahil amoy dugo ako at amoy gamot.

"Stay safe while driving, Doc." Binati ako ng interns.

"Hey, Doctor!" Nilingon ko si Hugo.

"Hi... Ikaw ba ang magbabantay kay Wilson?"

"Nope, Sila Mommy. I'll drive you home."

"What? Hindi na. I can do it."

"I know you can drive. Kaya mo lahat pero ngayon, hindi pwede. Look at your eye, You are sleepy and you shouldn't drive."

"Why do you care, Hugo?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"B-Because I... I lik—"

"Fine! Drive me home." Pumayag na lang ako dahil naisip kong di ko kaya magmaneho ngayon.

Habang siya ay nagmamaneho ay nag power nap ako. Ilang sandali lang ang nakalipas ay nasa bahay na ako. Buti hindi siya naligaw kahit sinabi ko lang kung saan ang daan.

"Thank You, Hugo."

"Welcome... I'll go now."

"No no! Wait! Come inside.. It's dark. Dito ka muna." I stopped him from leaving.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan sa aking bahay at pinapasok siya. Maybe I could pay him if I cook breakfast. Pero mamaya na dahil inaantok pa ako.

"There's a guest room upstairs. If you want to sleep just go up. And if you're hungry there's food in the pantry."

"Thanks but I want to see you."

"You're fast, ano? Come upstairs pero doon ka lang sa sofa! Don't come near my bed, okay?"

"Easy, Baby. I'm not a bad man."

"Shut up."

Ni-lock ko ang pintuan ng bathroom ko na konektado sa aking kwarto. Naligo ako at nagbihis ng pambahay.

"Bakit hindi ka mag t-shirt?" Agad kong sabi sa kanya dahil naka pantalon lang siya.

"Hindi ako makatulog ng may suot na t-shirt. Minsan nga hindi rin ako nag papantalon eh."

"Okay na yung t-shirt! Matulog ka na."

His rock-hard abs captivated me. He got his very manly chest on him. His shoulders are so broad. The arms of him are so muscular.

"I'll sleep so be quiet."

Pagkagising ko ay wala na siya sa sofa kung saan ko siya huling nakita. I looked at the bathroom but wala siya. Well, Maybe he left.

"Baby, Good Morning." Nasa kusina siya. Walang suot na t-shirt.

"I'm not a baby, Hugo."

"But you are to me. Come on, Sit down and I'll serve the food." Dahan dahan niya akong iginaya sa dining table.

"Kaya ko naman yan.."

"Hindi dahil kaya mo ay hindi na pwedeng gawin ng iba para sayo."

He cooked omelette and pancakes with strawberries. Too much for a breakfast. He's too good at this. Baka hanap-hanapin ko.

"Sit down and eat." He pulled the chair for me.

"Thanks, Hugo."

"So... What's your plan after my brother's recovery?" He asked while sipping on his cup of coffee.

"Well, He's out of the critical stage so we'll just wait for him to wake up. He must be in therapy and rehabilitation so that he'd recover soon."

"Ikaw lahat ng gagawa non?"

"Hindi.. I will only check his condition."

"Magkikita pa naman tayo kahit na tapos na ang operasyon ng kapatid ko, diba?" Nang-hina ang boses niya.

"O-Oo naman... By the way, I will attend this celebration at Philippines. I-I was wondering... Would you want to come with me?"

"Yeah! I-I'd like to go with you. When are we leaving?"

"Next week, Hugo."

"I'll see you then, baby."