Race Against Love (on-going)

Chapter 6

REESE

I slowly opened the door. I might wake him up. Pero nagulat ako sa bumungad sa akin. He's half-naked, all sweat and muscles in the middle of push-ups. Tumingin lang ito. Hindi ako pinansin, tila busy sa ginagawa. Nilagay ko sa mesa ang dala kong take-out bucket ng chicken.

And he must be done. Tumayo ito at kinuha ang towel na nakasabit sa rack.

"Are you even allowed to do that? Baka dumugo 'yang sugat mo?"

I know it's been weeks. But when you had your wound stitched, I think it takes a while for the wound to heal.

" Magaling na'ko," sabi nito at lumapit sa mesa. "What's for lunch?" tanong nito.

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa hubad niyang katawan. Because I can't help but stare. This is not the first time I've him half-naked, pero hindi pa rin ako nasanay. Naiilang pa rin ako. Natutulala.

Binuksan ko ang paperbag na dala ko. Hindi siguro niya napansin ang logo nito.

" I thought you might want chicken. Baka sawa ka na sa pizza at ramen," sagot ko.

"Thanks," he smiled and grabbed one leg part.

Pinagmasdan ko siya habang ngumunguya. I looked at my watch. It's past 9 am. He must be starving.

"I'll be back in school on Monday."

He must be fine now. I can see that. Nagawa na nga niyang mag-work out.

Hindi ako sumagot. Dapat ko ba itong ikatuwa? Well, on the brighter side, with all that he's been through, that's all what I'm hoping for. Ang gumaling siya at bumalik sa dati niyang routine.

On the other hand, I feel sad. Because I don't have to do all of these. I mean, ang pag-aasikaso sa kanya after that incident. He's alone. I couldn't leave him just like that. Sino ba naman ako para hindi maawa sa kalagayan niya. Kapag pinagmamasdan ko at ginagamot ang mga sugat niya, parang gusto kong hanapin ang mga gumawa nito sa kanya at gumanti. At hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw na 'yun.

"Adler! Oh my God!"

Jesus Christ, what will I do? Kulang na lang tawagin ko pati ang mga santo. Kanina pa ako nakaluhod sa harap niya and I can't even touch him. Pakiramdam ko, kapag hinawakan ko siya, lalo ko siyang masasaktan. There's blood everywhere. His whole face is covered with blood. And so with his hands. Blood is dripping from his mouth.

Hindi ko namalayan, tumutulo na ang mga luha ko. What kind of people are they? Ano'ng kasalanan niya sa mga ito? They're were trying to kill him.

"Adler..."

He tried to open his eyes. At sinubukan nitong tumayo, pero hindi niya kaya. Napahiga siya at namimilipit sa sakit hawak ang sugat sa tagiliran.

"Stay still," sabi ko at inalalayan siya pahiga.

Kumapit siya sa beywang ko at sinubukang bumangon. "Help me get up."

My blouse is now covered with his blood and I didn't care. Sinubukan ko siyang alalayang tumayo.

"You're too heavy, hindi kita kaya," I sit with him but I I was still holding him in my arms. He's really heavy, but I did not let him go.

Nilabas ko ang phone ko. I attempted to dial the emergency hotline.

" What are you doing?"

Hindi ko alam kung saan siya kumuha ng lakas para agawin ang phone ko. Hawak niya ito sa isang kamay na ngayon ang nababahiran na rin ng dugo.

"I'm calling an ambulance. I'm taking you to the hospital."