“I AM GOING TO ACCEPT your child in this hospital but you know already what I am asking in return before you make the decision to rush her here? Am I right, Miss Nuyda?” The doctor’s voice laced with indifference.
Miss Nuyda? Miss?
April's eyesight was still blurred when she bravely met the eyes of the middle-aged woman in front of her —Doctor Zelma Trujillo who is a resident pediatrician of the medical center closest to them.
Given than it's been two years already it was undeniable that the woman still feels the same hatred for her. Or rather to say hated her more through and through.
Yet April can not blame the woman. If she was angry with her, she was even more angry with herself.
She only thought of four-year-old daughter Aba or Alabama. Her tears were threatening to slip again as if there was no endpoint. She felt sorry for Aba. If only she could take the pain she suffered, she would.
Why do her loved ones have to suffer when she is willing to take all the hardships and pains?
The gentle face of her sleeping daughter shown the difficulty and tiredness of almost two days that her daughter experienced pertussis or whooping cough again. it is getting worse now because she even got a diarrhea.
"But I will pay for this hospital, Doctor."
"And you know that's not what I want!" The doctor's stern eyes directed to her.
"But..."
“Are you hesitant? If so, why are you here? ”
Since I had no choice, she wanted to shout.
That hospital was the closest hospital from their house and it was sort of impossible to get to another medical center despite the inclement weather. She can't risk her daughter's life.
Not again.
“N – no. I agree, Ma— ”
“Don’t you dare!” Doctor Trujillo warned her immediately.
April took a deep breath. “The title... the documents, I'm going to bring it to you as long as you promise that you will not neglect my daughter. Do not neglect her.”
Victory twirled in Zelma Trujillo’s eyes. “Go, then and make no mistake because the safety of your children is already in my hands.”
Tear rolled down her cheeks.
I'm sorry, Gino. I'm sorry. Aba is much more important now, she uttered helplessly in her mind.
When April made sure that Mrs. Trujillo was taking good care of Aba, she immediately left the said hospital.
She managed to drive her old model car despite the angry weather. Darkness has bitten off the road visibility and that only triggered those images of a bloody tragedy engraved in the history of her past life.
Flashback
Two years before the present.
“GARETT, would you help me out in this matter? Which you think is the better honeymoon destination? Somewhere in Europe like France, Greece or Italy maybe? Oh, how about in Morocco, what do you think? But Gracie said that Cappadocia is such a great idea since it's June now. Perfect time to explore the place. ” April's heart was rejoicing as she browsed through Garett's laptop.
It didn't still sank into her that her husband Gino was planning for an out of the country honeymoon.
They got married last year but nothing fancy about the matrimonial ceremony because of some financial issue.
It was only a secret marriage intervened between them. Still, April are happy to be with Gino. She's a perfect partner.
And she was too thrilled about the honeymoon because she also had got something to surprise her husband. Her stomach seemed got flutter by the thought.
“Why don't you just go to Rizal or somewhere in Laguna. There are many beautiful sights there. Why do it abroad when you can have it here?” April found something strange in her best friend slash brother-in-law tone Garett.
She had long noticed that it was drawing distance from her and started to act strange after she got married.
That was not the Garett she knew. Before she even met Gino, they had been best friends with Garett for a long time since their childhood days.
Garett is the Bastard son of Gino's father but despite the fact that the two come from different mothers, they are almost identical twins based on their physical appearance.
“Any problem, dude? Does Gracie bothered you again?” April barely approached him. He seems to be tipsy.
“Tss. I don't want to talk about her. ” She was shocked when Garett scolded her and walked out briskly. He even picked up the bottle with the remaining wine and headed towards his bedroom.
April followed her friend. She's getting annoyed with his actions. “What is your problem? Tell me! Why are you like that? What did I do why you are avoiding me? Be honest with me, Garett? Do you have a problem with me?”
Garett didn't bother to throw her a glance and that angered her more.
"Garett!" She shouted when he ignored her. Garett only lied down on his bed after straightening the remaining wine in the bottle, totally ignoring her.
"Stop shouting, will you?"
“I want to throttle your right now, do you know that? I hate you!"
“Cuss me, then. I won't stop you, though. Go ahead! Show me how you despise me! You all despise me, right!” He said lazily.
April just decided to toned down and not joined her best friend in his sentiments.
"So, what's the problem?" April's tone had dropped. She also can't stand watching Garett like the world turn its back to him.
"You..." He answered all too quickly.
“Me? Why me?"
“Because I hate you. Really. ” Garett said sharply.
“Oh, you do? Why? ”
She felt like something was bothering him and as his best friend , she was there to stay and listen to whatever Garett what was his source of his vexation.
“I hate it when you play the role of a stupid matchmaker. You're a terrible case, Ms. April Rose Nuyda. You know I'll never be giving away my attention to Gracie. I hate everything about her.”
“It’s Mrs. Gino Trujillo. Devil! Then why did you corrupt her virginity? Man! ”
“I am just a man—”
“A stupid one. And opportunist! ” She piped in. Her body is screaming an urge to punch all the shit out of Garett.
And she mistook it for thinking that the two were getting better with each other. Then now Garett why was Garett kept on uttering he hates everything about Gracie?
“That is not a manly excuse, Garett. If you don't like her, why do you still bhooking up with her? What if you get her pregnant? ”
“We were both under the influence of alcohol that time when we had sex. You can't blame me. She wanted it, too after all. ” Garett reasoned. So lame!
“God! Take care of yourself! After all, you are old. You already know what is wrong and what is right. ”
"When is your honeymoon?"
"Next Monday until twentieth of the month." She gave a brief response and prepared herself to left.
Her mood lit up upon remembering that her husband will be home tonight.
Gino is a PNP officer and was assigned to the neighborhood town. He only went home once a week.
She had to hurry because she was planning to prepare a special dinner for that special night.
“Did your husband really agree to spend money just for that worthless honeymoon? Did he ask for a donation from his mother just to flutter your whims and ambition of going on a trip abroad?”
“Garett! You are hitting this issue beyond the lines! Damn you!”
Garett got up and faced her.
“Do you only love Gino because he is now capable of providing you the luxury of life? And he could spoiled your caprices! Do you love him because he buys you every latest gadgets you want? All branded cosmetics, clothing, shoes and watches. All bullshits and this and that! If only your husband's mother was not greedy and let my inheritance be mine, I could also give you more than that, April! More than what Gino can offer you! I could.”
April felt like her chest had been punched violently. “That's how you think of me now. I am not aware. Gino's Mother and you have the same thoughts about me now. I thought you were different because, Garett I am your best friend. Are you still aware of that? I am your family.” April's abundant tears flowed.
"Rose, I ... I'm sorry ..." He seemed to realize that he inflicted her pain.
"April ... Damn!"
Reluctantly, April left Garett's house despite the weakness of her knees.
She could not help but feel resentment for Garett as she made her way back to their rented apartment .April's vision blurred due to incessant crying until she did not notice a concrete barrier ahead of her causing her car to crashed.
“You haven't been home for almost two months. Do you want me to visit you there? ” April's tenderly spoke to Gino on the other line.
There was concern, doubt and eagerness in her voice.
“Don't, you will just get tired. I will just go home and do nothing but wait for that day when I come home.” Gino snapped.
Gino’s cold treatment towards her didn't surprise her anymore because since she had an accident and had a miscarriage, her husband has been treating her coldly.
“ But when?” Her voice crooked.
"I don't know! Stop interrogating too much!"
“Gin, son. Hurry up there and Julia's already here. Come down already. You might be late on your date.”
