Resilient Hope

Chapter 7

Aillard drove to the hospital early to pick up Astrid and her mother. Nag-take out na din siya ng pagkain nang may nadaanan siyang restaurant, para naman may makain si Tita Avalon at Astrid bago niya ihatid ang mga ito sa village.

He checked his watch: exactly eight o'clock in the morning when he arrived at the hospital.

Maayos na ipinarada ni Aillard ang sasakyan sa parking lot ng ospital. Kinuha niya ang paper bag na naglalaman ng pagkain at saka bumaba sa sasakyan.

Alam ni Aillard sa sarili na dapat ay hindi niya ito gawin lalo na at hindi naman niya ito ugali pero hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili dahil kahit anong pigil niya sa sarili ay nakikita na lang niya na ginagawa niya ito para sa dalaga.

Pagpasok niya sa ospital, may ilang kababaihan ang napapatingin sa kanya. Ang ganoong eksena ay natural na sa kanya. Sa sobrang guwapo at tikas niya, lahat talaga ay napapatingin sa kanya. Mahangin na kung mahangin, nagsasabi lang siya ng totoo.

"Good morning, sir," bati ng isang nurse na nakasalubong niya ngunit tinanguan lamang niya ito at saka tinungo ang elevator.

When Aillard entered the elevator, he immediately pressed the button for Astrid's floor. He wore a simple attire—a black shirt and black jeans.

Five minutes later, Aillard stood outside Astrid's room, contemplating whether to enter or return home to change into office attire and diligently start his work.

Before Aillard could decide, a voice from beside him startled him.

"Good morning, Mr. Federici," Dr. Velasquez greeted him.

Deep in thought, he hadn't noticed the doctor's arrival.

He turned to Dr. Velasquez and greeted him. "Morning, Doc."

Hinawakan ni Dr. Velasquez ang busol at itinulak ang pinto. Pinauna muna ni Aillard na makapasok ang doktor bago siya sumunod dito.

Naabutan ni Aillard si Astrid na nakaupo sa kama ng ospital. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa hita nito at nakita niya ang damit nito na nakapatong doon.

"Good morning," Astrid greeted him with a gentle voice.

Damn. Just the sound of her voice already quickened Aillard's heartbeat.

"Morning," he replied.

Naglakad siya palapit sa dalaga para tulungan ito. Binati niya ang ina ni Astrid na si Tita Avalon na kinakausap ngayon ng doktor. Nginitian naman siya ni Tita Avalon bago bumalik ang atensyon nito sa kausap.

Ginabayan ni Aillard si Astrid na makatayo kahit na kaya naman nitong tumayo mag-isa. He just wants to guide her. He would love to do it kung kay Astrid naman niya iyon gagawin.

"I'll get dressed in the bathroom..."

"I'll assist you," Aillard offered.

Astrid shot him a sharp look. "We're not married yet, so it's forbidden," she stated firmly.

A lopsided smile escaped Aillard's lips. "Then I'll marry you." He noticed Astrid biting her lip, causing his smile to widen.

Astrid chuckled. "Hindi pa nga mag-jowa... kasal na agad. Aba! Matinde ka rin!" Sa sinabi ng babae ay lalong mas natawa si Aillard. This woman never failed to make him smile.

"What marriage are you talking about, you two? Huh? Nagpaplano na ba kayo na magpakasal agad?" Rinig nilang sigaw ni Tita Avalon mula sa salas ng silid ni Astrid.

Sabay na napalingon ang dalawa sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Si Tita Avalon ay ngumingiti ng malawak. Tapos na itong makipag-usap kay Dr. Velasquez, na nakangiti rin sa kanila habang pinapanood sila. Narinig pala nito ang pinag-uusapan nila ni Astrid.

Aillard scratched his head, unsure of how to respond to the girl's mother. Beside him, Astrid blushed deeply.

"So adorable!" he thought. Damn, he wanted to kiss those kissable lips.

ASTRID’S mother chuckled at their reactions. Si Aillard, on the other hand, seemed to blurt out anything that came to mind. This made Astrid's chest feel like it might explode from the nerves and embarrassment she was feeling.

"As I mentioned yesterday, you can go home today. Take care of yourself, Astrid. This isn't the first time this has happened to you, so you should know what to do," her doctor announced.

Yes, it had happened several times before, but sometimes she just couldn't avoid it.

"Yes, Doc," sagot niya. Ilang beses na din siya nitong kinukumbinsi na mag-undergo ng treatment pero siya lang ang makulit na laging tinatakasan ang araw ng treatment niya.

"I'm serious, Astrid. Take care of yourself."

Astrid nodded silently, not saying anything. Tahimik lamang siyang nakikinig at pinapanood ang kanilang mag-usap.

Kinausap ulit ni Dr. Velasquez si Mommy kaya tuluyang pumasok na siya sa banyo ng silid, tinulungan siya ni Aillard, na tahimik sa tabi niya.

She said, "Dito na lang. I can do it."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Yes. Thank you…"

Lumabas si Aillard sa banyo kaya siya na lang mag-isa ang naroon sa loob. Hinubad niya ang hospital gown at pinalitan ng damit niya na dala ng ina niya bilang pamalit.

Nang buksan niya ang pinto, bumungad sa kanya si Aillard. Nilingon siya nito at tinulungan siya hanggang sa makabalik siya sa hospital bed. Wala ang Mom niya nang lumabas siya. Siguro ay nagbayad na ng bill.

As Astrid settled back into the hospital bed, someone suddenly shouted. Astrid wanted to curse at the person for nearly startling her, but she was quickly caught by Aillard.

"Babe!!! Are you ok—" Trinity's sentence was cut short as she saw Aillard assisting Astrid. "Why is guy in Vigan is here?" When she managed to stand up, she gave her friend who had just entered the room a glare.

She glared at her friend. “Shut up, Trinity.”

"Hi, Astrid. How are you?" Nina asked.

Ngayon lang siya nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na bisitahin ang dalawang matalik na kaibigan dahil busy ang mga ito—si Trinity ay abala sa kanyang restaurant na unti-unti nang sumisikat at nakikilala sa bansa, habang si Nina naman ay kilala na rin dahil sa kanyang clothing line na ngayon ay may branch na sa ibang bansa.

Proud siya sa kanyang dalawang best friends, dahil alam niya ang hirap na pinagdaanan ng mga ito para maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap.

"I'm fine," she replied to Nina, sitting on the sofa in the room.

"You're even more handsome in person than on the phone screen. What's your name? I'm Trinity. You can call me Babe, Baby, Love, or Wife," she heard her friend say to the man.

What?! Babe? Baby? Love? Wife?! Is Trinity serious?

I will kill you, Trinity!

Lalo niyang sinamaan ng tingin ang kaibigan. Kung hindi lang siya nanlalata, tiyak na nasabunutan na niya ito dahil mukhang may balak pa itong unahan siya kay Aillard.

Hell!

He's mine. Mine Alone!

And yes, she likes him.

"Nina... Pakilayo nga sa akin si Trinity, baka hindi ko matantya 'yang babae na 'yan at baka sabunutan ko 'yan," inis na sabi niya.

"I'm just kidding..." Ani ni Trinity, nakataas pa ang kamay animo sumusuko pero inirapan lang niya ito. Kidding my ass. Tsk!

"Pauwi na daw kayo sabi ni Tita, nakasalubong namin kanina sa baba binabayaran ang hospital bill mo," sabi ni Nina. Nina stood up and held Trinity's hand. "Ako na bahala dito una na kami sa inyo. Sunod na lang kayo sa amin. Use protection, okay?" Habol pa nito.

When the realization hit her, para bang sasabog ang mukha niya sa sobrang pula nito.

I know what that means. Condom. That's what Nina meant.

"Shut up, Nina Emberlyn!" she shouted. Geez... She was stressed by her two friends.

Nina and Trinity laughed at her reaction. "Just kidding!" Nina quickly added, trying to catch up with her.

"Alis na kami..." Paalam ng dalawa niyang kaibigan.

Astrid nodded. "Okay. Ingat kayo." Tinanguan siya nito, pilit hinatak ni Trinity si Nina palabas ng silid. Nagpipigil siya ng tawa sa kakulitan ng dalawa. Ayaw niyang magpatalo sa kulitan.

"You're happy," Aillard said, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I am," Astrid replied, meeting his gaze. "Aren't you busy today?" she asked.

"If I were busy, should I even be here?" Aillard retorted.

She was just asking. He really can be grumpy. Aillard picked up his bag containing his belongings and slung it over his shoulder.

"Let's go... Baka nag-aantay na si Tita Avalon," he said. Inalalayan ulit siya nito. "Can you do it?"

"Kaya ko," she said and smiled.

Dahan-dahan lang ang lakad ni Aillard para masabayan siya. Why does he care so much about me? Hindi tuloy niya mapigilan ang sarili na umasa sa mga pinapakita nito sa kanya.

Biglang nagsalita si Aillard. "I know what you're thinking. Yes, I care about you."

"Can he read my mind? Kasi alam na alam nito kung ano ang iniisip niya."

"I'm not reading your mind, it's just too obvious on your face..." sabi niya muli. Ganun ba siya kadali basahin?

Nang makarating sila sa ground floor ng ospital, nakita nila ang mommy niya na nakikipag-usap sa ibang doktor na hindi niya kilala.

Lumapit sila doon si Aillard, na tahimik lang sa tabi niya. Tinawag ni Astrid ang atensyon ng kanyang ina.

"Mom..." Lumingon ito sa kanya. "Let's go."

Her mother bid her companion farewell with a glance and a smile. He smiled back. There was something about him that resonated with her. The way he looked at her mother seemed like he was in love. Astrid shook her head to dispel her thoughts. Perhaps she was mistaken...

"Let's go," ani ng Ina nang makalapit ito sa kanila. Tumango sila ni Aillard. Sabay-sabay silang naglakad palabas ng ospital.

Bago sila tuluyang makalabas, nilingon niya ulit ang lalaking doctor na sinusundan sila ng tingin. No, hindi sila ang sinusundan nito ng tingin kundi ang Mom niya. Hindi nagsalita si Astrid tungkol doon, tahimik na lamang niya sinundan ang mga ito.

Nang nasa entrance na sila, sinabihan sila ng lalaki na hintayin na lang sila doon at kukunin lang nito ang sasakyan mula sa parking. Kasama niya ang mom niya. Nangangati na ang dila ni Astrid na tanungin ang ina pero gusto niya na ito ang magkusa sa kaniya na sabihin ang gusto niyang malaman.

After several minutes, a pristine white Range Rover pulled up in front of them, gleaming as if brand new. Aillard stepped out from the vehicle. He was the owner of the elegant Range Rover.

Damn! He looked incredibly attractive with his sunglasses on.

They approached Aillard as he opened the back door, where his mother entered. Aillard assisted her inside. He then bent down, their proximity causing him to momentarily close his eyes in apparent overwhelm.

"I will not be kissing you," the man whispered to her.

Namula ang magkabilang pisngi ni Astrid. Gustong batukan ni Astrid ang sarili niya dahil sa ka-assumingan niya. Bakit ba kasi pumikit siya, kaya tuloy napahiya pa siya ng very, very light. Umirap na lang siya para pagtakpan ang kahihiyan niya.

Narinig niya ang mahinang tawa ng lalaki hanggang sa isara nito ang pinto sa gawi niya.

As Aillard settled into the driver's seat, she turned to ask him, "You laughed?"

From her seat, Astrid observed his sudden serious expression. "I'm not."

"Yes... you are... I heard you laugh..." she insisted.

He scoffed softly, then turned the key in the ignition and drove away.

Sinundot-sundot niya ang tagiliran nito para asarin ang binata. "Ngiting-ngiti ka na diyan. Yie... ngiting-ngiti ka na. Ngiti ka na, pretty please," pangungulit niya dito. She even gives him puppy eyes to convince him more.

"Stop it, Astrid. I'm driving," he said seriously. Astrid pursed her lips. "And stop doing that. I can't focus on driving, and we might get into an accident."

She looked at him quizzically. "Doing what?"

"Stop pouting those beautiful and captivating lips of yours."

She didn't answer at sa halip ay itinuon na lang niya ang tingin sa bintana. Kasama nila sa loob ng sasakyan ang Mom niya. Nakakahiya baka mamaya ay marinig na naman sila nito. Hanggang sa huminto ang sasakyan ay hindi siya lumilingon sa lalaki.

After 30 minutes, they got to their house. Nang dumating sila ay wala pa silang sina Nina at Trinity. Unang bumaba ang Mom niya para buksan ang gate ng bahay nila.

Aillard is sweet and gentle. He himself opened the door and guided her down from the vehicle.

"Aillard, Hijo, come inside. Astrid will take care of you for now, and I'll go upstairs," her mother said.

Aillard nodded. "Thank you, Tita Avalon."

Pumunta na ang Mom niya sa kwarto nito sa pangalawang palapag ng bahay nila. Siya naman ay pumasok sa kusina para uminom ng tubig dahil nanunuyo ang lalamunan niya. Binuksan niya ang fridge at kumuha ng tubig, saka siya nagbalik sa baso. She leaned on the kitchen island and drank a glass of water.

"Water?" she asked.

Aillard nodded, kaya binigyan niya ito ng bagong baso at sinalinan din niya ito ng tubig bago inabot sa lalaki.

Kinuha nito ang baso sa kamay niya at inilapag din sa tabi niya. Kaya ang pwesto niya ngayon ay nakatukod ang isang kamay nito sa gilid ng baywang niya. Kaya napabend siya. Mukhang hindi pa ito nasiyahan dahil sunod na nilagay pa nito ang bakanteng kamay sa kabilang gilid niya kaya mukhang na-corner siya nito.

"What... what are you doing?" She struggled to breathe as he came dangerously close. The distance between them was so short that any movement could lead to a kiss with Aillard standing before her.

"Hmm..." he murmured near her ear, tantalizingly. She bit her lip, prompting Aillard to look there. He leaned his forehead against her shoulder. "I'm tired."

Damn it! She pushed his shoulder, forcing him to step back. He acted all alluring, only to be tired.

Goodness... I can't believe this guy!

Tumalikod siya at naglakad papuntang sala, hindi niya pinansin ang lalaki na nakasunod sa kanya.

"Bakit ba ang tagal ni Nina at Trini-" Hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin dahil biglang sumigaw mula sa pinto ng kanilang bahay.

"Hi, guys!" sigaw ni Nina. Sumunod naman si Trinity na may nakabusangot na mukha. Ano kaya ang nangyari sa kaibigan? Halata na hindi maganda ang timpla ng mood nito ngayon.

"Anong nangyari sa'yo?" Tanong niya kay Trinity, ngunit inismiran lang siya nito.

"I can’t understand that woman. Why did she have to argue with that guy at the mall?" Nina responded.

Setting aside the food she brought, of course her favorite Potato Basket was included, a combination of French fries, potato wedges, and cheese balls.

Yum!

She adjusted her seat, sitting next to Aillard, with Trinity in front of her and Nina on the side, who seemed very serious. Astrid only noticed now that Trinity's temper seemed to be flaring more frequently today, which wasn't typical of her before. Yes, Trinity could be short-tempered, but it never escalated to arguments and conflicts with others. She only showed this side to them.

"Why did you have to pick a fight? Ang pikon mo pa naman," she said. The person opposite her gave her a dirty look, but she just shrugged it off.

Inabutan ni Astrid si Aillard ng pagkain, ngunit sa halip na tanggapin nito ang inaabot sa kanya, kinuha nito ang pagkain ni Astrid. Kukurap-kurap si Astrid habang pinapanood itong kumuha ng fries mula sa kanyang box. Sana ay sasawayin na niya ito nang magsalita ulit si Trinity.

"Ang kapal naman kasi ng mukha nung lalaki na 'yon," gigil na sabi nito. "Ginamit niya ako, Ast... para layuan siya ng mga babae niya... Ugh! Such a user! Playboy! Manyak!"

Nina laughed. "Wag kang assuming, Trinity. Hindi ka naman minanyak nung lalaki."

Dahil sa sinabi ng kaibigan, natawa siya. Naiintindihan niya kung bakit ganoon ang asal ni Trinity; galit ito sa mga playboy. Masyado kasi itong nasaktan sa dati nitong boyfriend. Kaya nasubaybayan niya ang kwento ng pag-ibig ni Trinity at kung paano ito nasaktan dahil sa kagagawan ng sira-ulong ex-boyfriend nito.

"Basta... galit ako sa lalaking 'yon," aniya habang kumuha ng dalawang piraso ng pizza at sunod-sunod na kinagat, animo'y doon niya inilalabas ang galit.

Nang maalaala niya ang pagkain niya, nilingon niya si Aillard; hawak nito ang Potato Basket niya na may bawas na.

"Bakit mo binawasan?" ang sabi niya, nauutal. Tinignan siya ng binata nang may pagtaka, kaya't tinuro niya ang Potato Basket niya.

"Oh... sorry," sagot nito habang inaabot sa kanya ang pagkain. Kinuha niya ito at sinamaan ng tingin ang lalaki, na napapakamot naman ng ulo. "I'll buy you next time."

"Talaga?!" Tumango siya, kaya inabutan niya ito ng isang pirasong French fries. Oo, isang piraso lang. Aba, binawasan na niya kanina ang paborito niyang pagkain kaya isa na lang. "Thanks..."

"Wouldn't you introduce us to that handsome man next to you? Si Trinity lang ang nagpakilala kanina." Nakalimutan din ni Astrid. Kanina kasi sa ospital, anu-ano ang pinagsasabi ni Trinity. Agad din silang lumabas ng kwarto kaya hindi niya nakuha na ipakilala si Aillard. Ngayon, pinag-uusapan na nila ang nangyari kay Trinity kaya hindi na naman niya napakilala ang lalaki.

Ano ba... bakit parang si Trinity lang palagi ang dahilan? Sobrang makulit kasi ng kaibigan niya, pero kahit ganun, mahal na mahal niya ito.

"Trinity, Nina, this is Aillard," Astrid said, introducing him. "I'm sure you recognize him from the screen of my phone when I was in Vigan. Aillard, I'd like you to meet my two best friends, Trinity Gomez and Nina Emberlyn Herrera."

"Hi Fafa Aillard, Trinity here, nice to meet you," Trinity greeted warmly, extending her hand to him, which he graciously accepted.

"And Nina here, nice to meet you, Aillard."

"Aillard Caius Federici. It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Aillard Caius Federici. Ang ganda ng pangalan niya."

Matapos niyang ipakilala sila, kumain na ulit siya. Hindi pa man nagtagal, tumunog ang cellphone ni Nina habang kasama pa niya ang mga kaibigan.

"Excuse me... sagutin ko lang 'to," sabay tango niya habang si Trinity naman ay patuloy sa kanyang pagkain, animo'y walang pakialam sa kanilang usapan. Hanggang ngayon, tila hindi pa rin nawawala ang kalokohan nito. Napapailing na lang si Astrid sa kanyang kaibigan.

Si Nina ay pumunta sa kusina upang hindi maingay. Bumalik si Astrid sa kanyang Potato Basket at paminsan-minsan ay binibigyan niya si Aillard ng pagkain, na tinatanggap naman nito.

Pagkatapos ng limang minuto, bumalik si Nina para magpaalam sa kanila. Kailangan na nitong umalis dahil pinapunta siya ng kanyang Mom sa kanilang pamilyang kompanya. Sumama na rin si Trinity sa kanya, kaya silang dalawa na lang ang natira sa sala.

"Mayroon akong sasabihin sa'yo..." simula niya nang silang dalawa na lang ang natira sa sala.

Tumingin si Aillard sa kanya. "Ano 'yon?"

"Come with me," dinala niya si Aillard sa kanyang kwarto upang makapag-usap silang dalawa nang maayos. Naupo siya sa kama pagpasok nila sa kwarto habang si Aillard naman ay nanatiling nakatayo.

"What are you going to tell me?" Aillard asked. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," she took a deep breath. "You never ask me about my illness. I have Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)." Astrid's heart pounded loudly; she was nervous about his reaction. But she was determined to tell him everything about her condition.

"I know that... Dr. Velasquez told me that you have leukemia," Aillard said softly.

"Do you have any idea about my illness?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I did some research on the internet."

She couldn't help but smile. She was glad that he took the effort to look up her illness online. It lightened her heart, easing the anxiety she had felt earlier.

"So, what did you find out on the internet?"

Aillard retrieved his cellphone from his pants pocket. "It says here that Leukemia develops when the DNA of developing blood cells, primarily white cells, becomes damaged. This causes the blood cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. Healthy blood cells die off, and new cells take their place, developing in the bone marrow." He paused briefly as he returned the cellphone to his pocket. "But I don't know what 'acute... acute...'"

"Acute lymphocytic leukemia," she nodded, then proceeded to explain what his condition meant. "Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute lymphoid leukemia, occurs when abnormal white blood cells (leukemia cells) accumulate in the bone marrow."

"Is it fatal?"

She shook her head. "Curable naman sabi ng Doctor." She said. "But I didn’t take another treatment. It almost 3 years the last time I get the treatment," she whispered, na mukhang hindi narinig ng lalaki.

"What is the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia?" he asked seriously, his eyes fixed on her face.

"Intensive remission chemotherapy, followed by post-remission consolidation and maintenance therapies, has achieved complete remission rates of 75% to 90% and 3-year survival rates of 25% to 50% in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)." Only then did Aillard nod.

The man stood up and suddenly embraced her. "You'll be fine... I promise I'll do everything to help you recover," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her waist. His words replayed in her mind repeatedly.

"You'll be fine... I promise I'll do everything to help you recover."

Everyone said that to her, but why did it feel different when Aillard said it?