Dayne
Having no family to look after him in the hospital, the bosses felt responsible for Brian given that his being out of town was because of work and his accident was caused by some of the violent protesters of the company union they were negotiating with.
As it turns out, some protesters followed him and Precious as they left the company premises while inside a company car, which the protesters mistakenly thought to be ferrying some high-ranking executives of the company, and were harassed by these four men riding on two motorcycles until the car went out of control, spun one two many times and turned turtle.
Brian and the driver who were both on the front seats were badly hurt while Precious who was at the back, just suffered some minor scratches and bruises but was too traumatized by the entire experience to speak thereafter.
Upon hearing the news of the accident, Atty. Severino immediately caught the earliest flight out. He brought home Precious after she was cleared by the doctors and hired a nurse to check on Brian for the meantime and promised to send someone over to look after him as soon as they get back home.
The doctors attending to Brian rejected the request made by Atty. Severino to have him airlifted to a local hospital due to his yet unstable condition and recommended for him to remain under observation in their hospital's Intensive Care Unit, and until they're certain that his condition is stable only can they allow him to be transferred.
My heart aches so much just imagining him so alone and lying unconscious in a cold hospital bed, in a strange place away from home. I can't begin to think how he'd feel when he wakes up feeling helpless and in pain, without any familiar face in sight.
I so desperately wanted to be the first one he sees when he opens his eyes, and be there to assure him everything's going to be alright.
Tears can't seem to stop falling for Brian.
I have to do something.
I need to be with him and take care of him.
He needs me.
A meeting was to be held this morning for what, we were not made aware of but I have to be there as I was desperate for any news about Brian. And these people were the only ones who can give me updates on his condition.
I really miss him like crazy, I could die.
Atty. Marqueza, one of the founding partners presided over the meeting and addressed the group.
"As you all know by now, two of our associate counsels met an accident while they were out of town working. The good news is, Atty. Precious only suffered minor injuries and has already come back with his father, Atty. Pete Severino, but they are both still on leave because of the trauma the incident caused to their family."
I couldn't help but feel a heaviness in my chest and a stinging in my eyes as tears threatened to fall, just thinking about Brian's situation.
He paused, heaved a sigh and went on to say, "However, Atty. Madrazo suffered some serious concussions and still remains unconscious and under observation in the ICU of a hospital out of town. We tried to suggest that he be airlifted to a hospital here and receive medical attention here instead so that it will be easier for us to make arrangements for his care but the doctors attending to him won't hear of it. So, we had no choice but to pay a couple of nurses to check on him from time to time. But we know that it's not enough, as they won't care enough for our young lawyer, like we do, for we are his only family."
My heart squeezed painfully at the mention of the word "family." Oh my poor baby, I thought of him as a tear fell from my eye.
He paused and took a deep breath again, then said, "So, I am now asking for at least one volunteer from the group who is willing to be away from home for, well, given Brian's condition, an indefinite period of time, to look after our own in that unfamiliar territory, report to us the daily status and/or progress of Brian, and do all other things families do for their own patient. We don't expect you to give your answers now but..."
"I'll go, Sir," I cut him in already for this is what I want to do, all I've ever wanted to do since I woke up at the hospital with Dee-dee. I stood up decisively as I spoke, no longer caring about what my other officemates would think.
"Atty. Madrazo has been nothing but good to me, and now that he needs someone to be there for him as his family, I want to be that someone for him, Sir. Please."
I didn't realize that I was already crying until Samantha, Brian's assistant who is five months pregnant, approached me and hugged me. I hugged her back just as tightly while she sobbed uncontrollably, her body was trembling. She seemed relieved and happy that someone took on the task she should have taken if it were not for her condition. Sniffing sounds filled the room after seeing Sam and I break down in tears.
After that, everything went smoothly. Even double S was so supportive and agreed that while I was away, Samantha would stand in for me as her assistant. She even hugged me and told me to tell Brian not to keep me to himself for too long. We said our goodbyes as we both laughed and cried at the same time.
I loved my boss even more for that.
Even my parents were so saddened by the news about Brian but were relieved that the firm will be sending me to care for his needs and for him. They love him even when they've only talked with him every weekend since we became official through video chat. He has captured their hearts as much as he did mine.
"You sure you got everything you need packed away with you?" Dee, asked as she drove me to the airport, pulling me away from my thoughts.
"Yeah, I double checked everything against my list before we left," I answered.
Dee snorted and said, "So, you ticked all the boxes, huh? Neat."
"Are you making fun of my list-making habit again, Dee? What's wrong about making a list?"
"No, I am not, and I'd say there's nothing wrong with it if you're being slaved over by your boss who makes demands pile after pile that to keep track you have to make a list. But these are just things you need to bring Dayne girl, you still draw tick boxes for them? Come on."
"Well, they keep my life organized. It's easier that way." I shrugged as I explained, knowing fully well that Dee was just trying to keep my mind away from Brian and the sad reality that awaits me once I get there, even for just a very short while.
"Okay, if you say so," she singsonged in reply.
We said our goodbyes at the airport, and I was so touched that Dee who seldom showed tears even to me, cried as we hugged before I went into the departure area. She is such a true good, no, best friend, the kind I have ever hoped for. I sure am lucky.
The company sent a car for me, and also had me billeted at a hotel nearest to the hospital where Brian was, as arranged by the firm with them.
They committed to pay for all the hospital bills, as well as my hotel for the duration of my stay, as needed, or until Brian gets a green light on the air transfer from his doctors.
I couldn't wait to go to the hospital to see Brian but, at the same time, dread going in there and seeing with my own eyes his true condition. I'm not sure if my heart can bear to see him hurt. But he needs me to be strong for him.
And so, I took deep breaths, picked up my purse and walked my way to the hospital.
I called the office to let them know I have arrived safe and well and that am on my way to the hospital. I added that I'll report back as soon as I get any update on Brian from his doctors.
The hospital was surprisingly big and modern.
This somehow relieved me as I have been anxious about the quality of care and the facilities that Brian is afforded. But now I know firsthand that Brian is in good hands.
Being here and seeing these things for myself gave me more hope and a lightness in my steps.
I approached the Nurse's Station to ask for directions, and I headed to the elevator right away, wanting now more than ever to see my Brian.
When I saw the sign "Intensive Care Unit" as I stepped out of the lift, my knees felt weak as my heart beat double time and my hands got clammy and my entire body started shaking.
I went straight to the Nurse's Station right outside the ICU and asked to be allowed to visit Brian being the representative of the firm and I couldn't help but blurt out in tears, as his girlfriend and nearest of kin.
A middle-aged nurse named Jane, ushered me in and made me wear scrubs and a mask prior to my entry.
I gasped, "Oh my gosh!," as I saw the man I love lying on the bed, with tubes rigged in different parts of his body and machines attached to him beeped non-stop.
His face was swollen black and blue with cuts spread all over his face, like they were caused by small pieces of broken glass.
A sob escaped me unknowingly as I made my way to his unmoving body.
"Baby, I'm here," was the first thing that came out of my mouth, almost like a whisper.
Then I cried until my entire body shook with such intensity that words failed me. My heart squeezed tightly as I watched Brian fight for his life.
Fight. That word clicked something in me.
He is fighting, Dayne.
How about you?
My mind was trying to reason with my heart, and it is right. That's why I am here, to be with him, to fight this battle with him.
Summoning my strength and the clarity of vision and purpose that my mind let me have, I took deep breaths to calm myself, and when I knew for sure that I could already speak without crying, taking his hand I said in a steady voice and decisive tone,
"You, Brian Jake Madrazo," I squeezed his hand, then went on, "my sleeping prince, are waking up by my true love's kiss and are coming home with me, Dayne Marie Samaniego, your princess charming, because we are one hell of a real-life loveteam that nothing could ever keep us apart and we are going to have the happily ever after that we deserve. You hear that, baby?"
I looked at his face long and hard then kissed his hand and before I left, added to say, "I love you, baby. Talk to you again later."
When I got outside of the ICU, I slumped on the chair at the hallway as my knees gave in and, with my face buried in my hands, I once again sobbed uncontrollably.
This is so much harder than I thought.