I Could Fall

Chapter Thirty-Two

Umalis si Ali kagaya nang gusto ko. The wretched look on his face made me so conflicted. It almost made me chase after him and leave Atticus behind but... I couldn't. I feel responsible over Atticus.

Ali will understand. Atticus is still his brother after all. He knows I can't easily abandon Atticus. He's in a fragile state right now. Natatakot ako na maghanap na naman siya ng gulo o hindi kaya ay maaksidente na naman. Ali knows that I really didn't want him to leave. I was just worried about Atticus.

Atticus was still sitting on the ground while I was crouched beside him. His eyes were closed. Habang tumatagal ay bumibigat na siya.

Oh no. Don't tell me he passed out?

"What the fuck?"

I lifted my eyes and found Dashiel's agitated face. I looked at him with hope that he came to my rescue. "D-Dash, help me please."

He scowled and rushed his way to our direction. He crouched down and held Atticus' shoulder.

"Hoy, gago." Tinapik niya ang pisngi ni Atticus at inalog pa nang bahagya ang braso nito. Nang hindi magising ay inangat niya ang tingin sa akin. "Anong nangyari?"

"N-Nakita niya kami ni Ali," I told him.

His forehead creased. "Where is he then?"

"I made him leave," I answered in a small voice.

"Why?" Mas lalong nalukot ang mukha ni Dashiel nang itanong. Napakagat ako sa labi ko at hindi makuhang sumagot agad.

"I hope you're not compromising your happiness just for this selfish dumbass," Dashiel exclaimed. "He may be my friend but you're my cousin and you don't owe him shit."

Maybe it's the alcohol that made me too sensitive. Tears filled my eyes but it never escaped. "I feel guilty, Dashiel. I'm his friend and Ali is his brother. I don't want him hurt."

"Your fatal flaw, Hyon, is that you're too nice for your own good." He heavily sighed. "Iniiwasan mong masaktan si Atticus. How about your boyfriend then?"

I breathed in sharply. Agad na umusbong ang takot sa dibdib ko. "H-He said he's okay with it."

"Just because he said he's okay with it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." Dashiel shrugged.

The idea of hurting Ali makes me wanna hurl. Hurting him never crossed my mind because I know he'd understand. Ali will always understand... but Dashiel's right. He might understand but that doesn't mean it's not secretly hurting him.

He shook his head and placed Atticus' arm over his shoulder. "Let's bring Atticus to my car."

I sniffed and nodded. I quickly stood up to assist him in carrying Atticus because his weight is no joke.

"I fucking knew I'd babysit again," he grunted. Using one hand, he got his car key from his pocket. "Here."

I accepted the key that he handed over. Inayos niya ang pagkakaakbay kay Atticus. Umalalay naman ako para hindi siya mahirapan.

"Just text your friends and inform them that we're leaving," utos ni Dashiel habang inaayos si Atticus sa backseat.

Wala sa sariling tumango ako. I idly reached for my phone in my pocket but instead of opening the message application, I dialled Ali's number. My heart was loudly pounding against my chest. What if he's mad at me? What if he doesn't answer? I don't remember feeling this terrified before.

It took seven rings before Ali finally answered the call.

"Hello," bati ko. Hindi siya sumagot. Napahinga ako nang malalim para humugot ng lakas ng loob. "Uhm. Nasaan ka?"