MORE THAN I FEEL INSIDE

XIX

MAHIGPITna magkahugpong ang mga kamay nina Althea at Gabriel. Papunta sila sa clinic ni Dr. Estanislao.

Gabriel kissed his wife's hand and held it tight. Ayaw niyang bitawan iyon kahit saglit. He had been such a jerk but that was before. He would do everything within his power to save her.

Last night surpassed everything. Wala pa siyang taong pinangakuan ng ganoon. Dito pa lang siya nangako. He was willing to give up everything for her and their child.

Ilang saglit pa ay huminto na sila sa tapat ng ospital kung saan naroon ang clinic ni Dr. Estanislao.

Ilang saglit pa ay nasa loob na sila ng clinic.

He inhaled deeply. This is it.

He gave his wife a reassuring look.

"Please have a seat, Mr. and Mrs. Vasquez," ani Dr. Estanislao.

Umupo sila sa visitor's chair pagkatapos makipagkamay sa doktor. They were still holding each other's hands tightly.

"So, what is your decision?" tanong ng doktor.

"We're keeping the baby," mabilis na sagot niya.

"As I have said before, the pregnancy would be too risky. Althea, you might die of complications. Your heart might not take it." Huminga nang malalim ang doktor. "Are you sure you want this?"

Inunahan siya ni Althea sa pagsagot. "Yes. We're willing to take even the slightest chance. Please, Dr. Estanislao, help us."

Marahang tumango ang doktor. "To tell you honestly, the chances of survival are very low. Only a miracle can change things as it is."

"Please, Dr. Estanislao. I will give everything. I am willing to pay twice—no, thrice as much. Take all my money if you want, dammit, just save my wife and my child!" Pinukpok niya ang desk ng doktora.

"Gab..." Hinawakan ni Althea ang kamay niya upang payapain siya.

Nang tingnan niya ito ay mabilis na humupa ang galit niya.

"I'll help you. I will try my best," wika ni Dr. Estanislao. "I'll check up on you again. Maaaring maliit lamang ang chances, ngunit siguradong panghahawakan pa rin ninyo iyon gaano man kaliit iyon. Might as well hold on to whatever hope you've got."

"YOUR problem is not congenital heart disease but congestive heart failure," ani Dr. Estanislao.

"What does that mean?" tanong ni Althea habang mahigpit na nakahawak sa braso ni Gabriel.

"Kung congenital ang case mo, we need further tests done on you. We need to determine at what stage your sickness is in. Malamang na wala na talagang pag-asa. But I can see some hope if you've got congestive heart failure."

Agad ang pagbaha ng tuwa sa dibdib niya. Maging si Gabriel ay nagliwanag sa labis na katuwaan. "Is there any medication I could take to cure this?" tanong nito.

"Any medication you take during pregnancy can affect your baby."

Her heart sank. "So, can't we do anything about it?"

Mabining ngumiti ang doktora. "However, I can suggest some medication with low dosage. I can't promise you that this would heal you completely, but at least this can help."

"What do you mean?" tanong ni Gabriel.

"It's a good thing that you haven't had any attacks yet. We've got to be careful about this. Or, should I say, you've got to take good care of your wife, Mr. Vasquez. I will give you pointers on how to avoid attacks." She paused for a while. "Our chances of success are improving. Marami kang dapat iwasang mga bagay, Althea. Kung hindi ka pa rin magkakaroon ng mild attack hanggang sa bago ka manganak, maaaring makaligtas kayo ng anak mo. But then again, I'm not giving you a hundred percent assurance."