CHAPTER 5

                                    

                                          
CHAPTER 5
                          
LUCKY CALLED IN SICK at work the following morning. Masama ang pakiramdam niya. Hindi niya alam kung bakit panay ang sakit ng dibdib niya samantalang uminom naman siya ng gamot. The pain was bearable, but she didn't want her students to see her flinching from time to time because of sudden pain. So, she stayed at home.           
                          
Dahan-dahang umupo sa sofa si Lucky, saka ihinilig ang katawan sa likod n'on at ipinikit ang mga mata. A small gasp escaped her lips when her heart contracted in pain again. 
                          
"Please, God," she begged. "Don't take me away. Please..."
                          
Kontrolado ang paghinga niya, para hindi masyadong sumakit ang puso niya. Kinakalma niya ang sarili habang nakapikit ang mga mata. She wanted to sleep but she couldn't because her heart was aching. Literally. 
                          
Kaya ayaw niyang sumasama nang sobra ang loob niya tulad ng nangyari kagabi. 
                          
She knew it was meaningless to Blake. But for her, it meant so much. How could he throw those gummy bears? She loved those. And even though she loved them so bad, she still gave it to him when he asked for a refill. Kaya nasaktan siya kagabi. 
                          
Ito ang sinasabi ng Mommy La niya. Mag-ingat siya sa mga taong makikilala at papahalagahan o magugustuhan niya. Dahil hindi lahat ganoon din ang nararamdaman para sa kanya. 
                          
She just felt so stupid for giving those gummy bears that she loved so much to Blake. She should have stayed away from him. She barely knew him. She thought he was nice. He was the first man she ever talk to comfortably. That was why she liked talking to him. 
                          
Mababaw ang bawat paghinga ni Lucky. Kapag nagpatuloy pa itong sakit sa dibdib niya hanggang mamayang hapon, ia-admit niya ang sarili sa ospital. Pero kapag ginawa naman niya iyon, mag-aalala na naman ang Mommy La at Daddy Lo niya. 
                          
Pero kaysa naman na mawala siya. Hindi puwede. Hindi niya puwedeng iwan ang Mommy La at Daddy Lo niya. She would never let them pick a casket for her. Walang magulang na gugustuhing ilibing ang anak nila. That would hurt them so much. 
                          
She opened her eyes and looked at the wall clock. It was 11 AM.
                          
Hindi pa ako nakakapagluto ng tanghalian ko. 
                          
Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo para kunin ang cell phone niya sa kuwarto pero hindi pa siya nakakalayo nang makaramdam siya na parang pinipiga ang puso niya. 
                          
"Oh, Jesus... I need to rest."
                          
Nasapo niya ang puso, saka mahinang napadaing. Dahan-dahang gumalaw ang paa niya. Kahit nahihirapan siya, pilit siyang humakbang patungo sa kuwarto niya habang nangangapa ng mahahawakan para hindi siya matumba. 
                          
Wala na siyang pakialam kung may nasagi siya at nabasag. Ang isip niya ay makahiga sa kama niya o kaya may matawagan para tulungan siya. 
                          
Bumagsak ang katawan niya sa kama at pilit na inaabot ang cell phone niya. 
                          
I have to call someone! 
                          
Umatake na naman ang kirot sa puso niya dahilan para impit siyang mapasigaw. 
                          
No. God, please, don't take me away. I still want to live. Please, don't...
                          
Lucky was asking God for help, for assistance and strength when she heard that familiar voice. 
                          
"Lucky! Lucky!"
                          
Nagdidilim na ang paningin niya at hindi niya makita kung sino iyon pero alam niyang si Blake ang tumawag sa pangalan niya. 
                          
Mahina siyang napadaing nang maramdamang binuhat siya nito at kinarga patungo sa kung saan. 
                          
"Hang in there, baby. I'm taking you to the hospital."