Tara felt more sick when she woke up on Wednesday. There was terrible pain inside her head. It was as if a hand drill was boring her skull. To ease the pain, she took an ibuprofen right after she ate a meager breakfast.Besides her headaches, Tara felt also numbness and weakness all over her body. She was too tired to move, that taking a single step would summon a lot of her strength. She also felt slightly feverish and the tightness in her chest made her sufferings even more unbearable.
Yet, Tara must still report for duty. She called Dr. Alvarado in his office the other night to consider giving her a leave because of her ailments. It was Morgan who answered the call and he was coldly merciless with his words - she must work even if she is sick because the isolation camp needs more people. She pleaded but he was stubborn. If she would not obey, the doctor might request for revocation of her employment and even of her license due to non-compliance and defiance of orders. Hearing Morgan"s heartless reply broke her spirit. But she must persevere or everything she had worked hard would be put to waste. She could not give up now.
Tara successfully commuted to work despite her ailments. As usual, the isolation camp was busy when she arrived. Cecilia quicky ran up to her with a caring smile.
"How are you?" Cecilia asked.
"I am not really fine. I still feel very sick."
"I can see that. You looked very tired."
"Yes, I am. I hope I can get through the day."
"Of course, you can. You are a strong girl, Tara."
Cecilia gave her a big hug which warmed Tara. She never thought that the older woman would be concerned about her. But she liked it very much. Plus her embrace was very sincere. She would miss that about her.
"Does what happened to you still give you nightmares?"
"What do you mean?"
"The a.s.sault done to you last Monday night."
"Oh, I totally forgot about it. I am really too sick that I could not think straight."
"Well, if you need some caring and help, I am just around here. Don"t be shy to ask."
Tara smiled in response. She wanted to cry but she held herself.
"Okay, girl. Go now," Cecilia said. "Get dressed and prep up. The camp is a circus."
Sluggishly, Tara donned her nurse"s garb. All through the day, she worked absentmindedly. She missed giving the correct medicines and dosages to the patients. n.o.body caught her so she just went on. By afternoon, her body could not take it any longer that she collapsed on the ground. Immediately, the other nurses to her to the school clinic and let her rest. Cecilia watched over her but quickly left when Dr. Alvarado arrived. It was also the same moment that Tara woke up.
"h.e.l.lo, Tara," Dr. Alvarado greeted her with a mocking smile, his face mask sticking below his jaw. "How are you?"
"I really don"t feel good, Doctor."
"I see. Sorry about that but the camp really needs hardworking and brilliant people like you. Sorry if you have to go through this but Subangdaku need you."
"I understand, Doctor. I am just really sick."
"Don"t worry, you will be fine. You are a strong woman."
"I can take a leave tomorrow, right? The new staffs will be here by then."
"Sure, but only in the afternoon, Tara. They will still not be here in the morning."
"What? I will still report for work in the morning?"
"Yes. Just a little sacrifice, Tara. Afterwards, you can take a long break."
"You really mean it, Doctor?"
"Of course, Tara. You can have a long rest after. And as long as you want to."
Tara smiled weakly. She was not sure if she should be happy or not.
"Take these supplements, Tara. It will help you have some energy."
Dr. Alvarado gave her small pills and Tara gulped them down with a gla.s.s of water. She was relieved that the doctor still cared for her.
"You can still rest for a while, Tara. You can go back to the camp once you feel a little better. And be well quickly. We miss the old vibrant Tara."
Dr. Alvarado then left her and went straight to his white car. He saw Cecilia and the rest of the medical team along the way but he did not stop to greet them. He simply nodded and walked on. Morgan was already waiting for him in the driver"s seat when he got inside the car.
"Is she really sick, Sir?" Morgan inquired when the doctor was seated.
"Very sick, Morgan."
"Shall we go, Sir?"
"Not yet."
Dr. Alvarado waited until Tara came out of the clinic and joined the other nurses. She was walking tiredly like a zombie.
"She looks dead already."
"Wait for a while."
Seconds pa.s.sed and Tara became slightly energetic. She walked straighter and seemed to move a little faster.
"It is working already," Dr. Alvarado commented.
"What do you mean, Sir?"
"Your suggestion. I gave her the drugs."
"Oh, she should be fine for a little while."
"What exactly will happen again, Morgan?"
"She will feel better. But once the true effects of the drugs kick in, she will feel the complications."
"Poor, Tara, victim of dengue fever."
Dr. Alvarado laughed so hard that the entire car shook as well.
"Do you think she will survive it, Morgan?"
"She can if her body is strong enough."
"Someone must die. Right now, we do not yet know who is the one. Or perhaps, who they are."
"It"s a gamble, Sir. A game of life and death for them."
Dr. Alvarado laughed again as Morgan listened in silence.....