A friendship can either be too strong or too fragile, especially when one is so close to crossing the line.
Shine Alvarez had always been Lei Hidalgo's best friend. Ever since meeting her, Lei never had a day without her by his side or within his si...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
CHAPTER 19
LEI
There's only one way to find out if it's really an attempted murder or an attempted suicide...
Ask the victim herself.
"Shine, gusto mo labas tayo?" tanong ko kay Shine na ngayo'y abala sa pagbabasa ng libro habang nakaupo sa kanyang kama.
Nakakapaglakad na si Shine nang maayos at okay na ang lahat sa kanya, ayon sa doktor, except for her memories. Pwede na raw siyang ma-discharge kaya wala sina tito at tita ngayon para magbantay dahil inaasikaso nila ang mga kakailanganing papeles at ang kwarto ni Shine pagkauwi nito sa kanila. The doctor required Shine to still attend regular check-ups, though.
She shooed me without even throwing a glance. "Go away, Lei. I'm reading."
I bit my lip to prevent myself from smiling. She still hasn't regained her memories, but here she is, acting like her old self already. Hindi maiistorbo kapag nakasubsob ang ulo sa libro.
"Sige na, Shine," pakiusap ko. "Please?" Ayokong gawin 'to, pero alam kong ito lang ang paraan para mapapayag siya. I have to know immediately if she has any... suicidal tendencies.
Shine laughed. "Hindi bagay sa 'yo mag-beautiful eyes! Oh my gosh," she snickered.
Sa kakatawa niya ay nabitiwan niya ang librong hawak niya. Kinuha ko ito, sinara at nilagay sa side table niya. Nilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kanya at matagumpay na ngumiti.
"Well?" I asked.
Shine smiled and took my hand. "Fine! Pero ilibre mo 'ko ng vanilla ice cream! Parang nag-crave ako noong nakita ko 'yung isang post about do'n, e."
Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko. This is really Shine.
"Maliit na bagay. Bilhin natin 'yung 2-in-1 na may chocolate."
"Oh, right! You love chocolate! Sige, gawin natin 'yan!"
Napalunok ako nang maramdaman ko ang higpit ng hawak niya sa kamay ko. I cleared my throat and as if Shine read my mind, she immediately let go of my hand and backed away. Bago ko pa matingnan ang ekspresyon niya ay tumalikod na siya at tumakbo papunta sa pintuan.
"Tara na, Lei! Ang bagal mo naman!" she called out. "Sino bang naaksidente, ikaw o ako?"
Napailing na lang ako at natawa sa inasal niya. My once racing heart calmed down because of her silliness. Nakapamulsa akong sumunod sa kanya, hindi pinapansin ang nararamdaman kanina at ang namamasa kong palad matapos niyang hawakan.
***
"I think this one goes here..." Shine pointed at a piece of the puzzle in front of me. Sinunod ko naman ang sinabi niya. Nang malagay ko na ang puzzle piece sa kadikit nito, bumaling ako kay Shine na kasalukuyang busy sa pagkakabit ng natitira pang mga puzzle. She was so focused on what she was doing that the spoonful of vanilla ice cream remained stuck in her mouth which puffed up her cheeks.
