"Did they recognize us?" Bogart asked his friends when they had reached a good distance from Sonny and Estella.
"I'm not sure," Tonton answered. "But it seems they did not. The lady was nice enough to help Jamie."
"She was really kind," Kiko said, "but we still have to be careful about them."
"I'll keep their calling card in my room," Bogart said. "Just in case we need their help in the future."
"Let's try not to," Kiko retorted and everyone laughed.
"Jamie, you better skip school tomorrow," Tonton suggested. "Nurse Grace had given us your medical certificate."
"Yes, you better rest and get strong," Bogart said. "Chickenpox is really troublesome. You might be absent for at least one week."
Kiko: "Take your medicine as early as you can."
A meek "Thank you, guys" was all Jamie could answer.
That night, Sonny and Estella delivered another exclusive news on the outbreak. Other news channels were not able to pick up the incident and so the viewers, especially the families and loved ones of patients, stay tuned to Estella's reports. According to her, hundreds were already admitted at both public and private hospitals in Subangdaku. So far, there was no concrete explanation of what really caused the varied sicknesses and why it had spread so quickly. The meteor crash was pointed out as the main culprit but there was still no official statement. There were only countless rumors.
Estella's footages were heart-breaking. Since the emergency room and all of the ward rooms were full, other patients were placed along the corridors. While they were coughing violently or delirious with their fever, their guardians were crammed in a single monobloc chair or sprawled on the floor. The atmosphere was pathetic as patients struggled to catch their breaths. To avoid catching the disease, Estella wore face mask and her trademark long-sleeved denim jacket as she delivered the news.
"So it is really that bad now," Mrs. de Jesus commented.
"I think so, Mom," Jamie answered. "Am I one of them?"
"No, honey," she answered. "Yours is chickenpox. It happens to all of us."
Jamie smiled as his mother reached out and fondled his hair.
"You have to be absent for a couple of days to avoid infecting your classmates," his father said.
"Yes, Dad. My friends will take charge of informing our teachers."
Indeed, Jamie was absent on Wednesday. His absence was badly felt by the Biker Brothers.
"How is Jamie?" Bogart asked.
"I dropped by his house this morning," Tonton answered. "But I was not able to see him. He was still sleeping by that time."
Kiko: "Do you think he will get well anytime soon?"
Tonton: "His mother said more blisters appeared on his legs and arms last night. I don't think he is getting better."
Bogart: "Yes, I remembered mine was really bad, too. Sores appeared even on my face. There are still some scars left in my neck."
Kiko: "Much worse for me. I got mine later than yours. It was terribly itchy. Thankfully, I had none on my face, just in my arms and back."
Tonton: "I don't remember mine. But Mom said they were on my legs."
The boys chuckled. They showed their scars and compared the sizes.
Bogart: "Can we visit him after school?"
Tonton: "I think so. We already had chickenpox before so I guess we will be fine."
The two boys grinned. Just then, the school bell rang and they went to their separate classes. Tonton was surprised to see several parents inside their classroom. They were battering Ms. Sanchez with questions and excuse letters.
" Ms. Sanchez," one mother said, "Lizzie had not been feeling well since Sunday. After the flu shot yesterday, her fever went very high."
"My boy also experienced the same," a father complained. "The shots did not help."
"As for my little Anna," another parent said, "she was not sick until this morning. When she woke up, she was having difficulty breathing. I guess it's just her asthma attack but I need to be sure so we will be visiting her doctor later this morning."
Another said, "Well, my boy has sore eyes. His eyes are really red and watery this morning. He'd better not attend classes to prevent infecting others."
"The news is all true, right? An epidemic has spread in our district?"
"Are our children safe here?"
"What has the principal advised about this issue?"
"Oh Lord, what is happening in Subangdaku?"
"Parents, please calm down," Ms. Sanchez addressed the worried mothers and fathers. "All of us here will take care of your children while inside this school. Those absent today will be excused, considering they have medical certificates or that their parents have talked to me. Our school nurse will also be conducting brief check-ups with the ones present today. Those who have mild symptoms like runny nose, high temperature, and sore throat will be separated and allowed to stay in the function hall in order to prevent the spread of these sicknesses. Rest assured, parents, that your kids are in good hands."
The parents began to pacify upon the assurance delivered by Ms. Sanchez. When they had all departed, Tonton went to her and explained Jamie's condition. Anxious parents were also found in Kiko's, Bogart's, and all classes in Subangdaku Elementary School.
Last night's news also stirred worry and panic in the entire district. Those feeling the same symptoms immediately rushed to the nearest clinics and hospitals. Even without a doctor's prescription or consultation, others bought medical stocks from the pharmacies like syrups, tablets, and ointments. For those who cannot afford medical services and remedies from private institutions, the public district health center was their only option.
Hence, the situation in the center was much worse than the previous day. The crowd thickened, almost twice the number of people yesterday. Health workers were running to and fro to cater to as many people as possible.
"Folks, let's not push one another," Cecilia reminded the people in her full commanding voice. "Those who have no seats, just follow the queue. However, maintain a good distance from one another, say one meter. These sicknesses can easily be transferred from one to another."
"Don't be hard-headed," Tara added in her high-pitched, uncaring, sexy voice. "Your disobedience will cause more harm."
They were attending to the whines of the crowd when an old woman suddenly went inside the area, ignoring the people in queue who immediately complained. The woman was coughing violently and by the way she swayed while going to the nurses, she was in deep pain.
"Help me," she croaked while struggling to catch her breath.
She was reaching out for the nearest person when she suddenly tripped over. Suprised, the nearby people dispersed and looked at the woman trembling on the ground, while others from the distance began flocking around her. Two nurses came to the rescue and held her tight on the floor.
"Ma'am, please calm down," one of them said. "Try to relax amd breathe hard."
The old woman continued shaking, more forceful this time as she squeezed her throat. With one last strong tremble, the woman froze and lost consciousness.
"Look for pulse," Cecilia yelled at the two nurses.
They searched on her hand, but at that time, she was already cold and frigid. They tried reviving her but she was already gone.
"She's dead already, right?" asked a woman patient.
"Looks like it," a man answered. "She died because of the outbreak."
"Oh no!" another woman said in panic and screamed.
The people in the health center was thrown into a turmoil as the news of the outbreak's first death scattered like wildfire in the entire district....