Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

24

Pagkalabas pa lang ng hospital, napaatras na ako dahil umuulan na naman. It was rain season. December na kasi bukas. It reminded me to take Kie shopping tomorrow so we can design the penthouse already. She would definitely love that!

"Ano ba." Marahang tinulak ni Marquenzo ang likod ko dahil natapakan ko ang kaliwang paa niya. Inirapan ko lang siya kaya ginaya niya ako, hindi nagpapatalo. "Hindi ba check up mo? Ba't ka lumabas?"

Napasapo agad ako sa ulo ko at tumalikod para makabalik sa loob ng hospital, hindi nagpapasalamat sa kaniya. While Doctor Valtierra was checking upon my arm, I was occupied. Bakit niya alam na check up ko? Do doctors share their patient's schedule? Isn't that private?

I went to the rooftop after my checkup. Sinalubong ako ng malamig na simoy ng hangin, ang buhok ko lumilipad palikod kaya dama ko ang lamig sa leeg ko. There were countable people, mostly nurses. Basa ang mga bench kaya nanatili lang akong nakatayo, nakatingin sa view.

The colorful lights on the streets and buildings were enticing. The rain will surely fall again in a few minutes because the sky is becoming darker.

I glanced side-way when I noticed a shadow. It was Marquenzo again. He was licking a popsicle. Halatang bago lang iyon dahil nakikita ko pa ang usok ng lamig, pero halos napangkalahatian na niya. Right. This rooftop was our spot. So it wasn't a shock to see him here during his free time.

"Kamusta check up?" Nagulat ako sa kaswal na pakikipag-usap niya sa 'kin.

"Good," tipid na sagot ko.

"Ba't ka binaril?" diretsong tanong niya.

My forehead slightly creased. Hindi ba 'to nanunuod ng news? Nasa news kaya iyong ambush. And he was friends with Cali. Was he that busy here sa hospital to not know anything about it?

I just gave him a shrug, not wanting to explain. A part of me was stunned with the fact that he was casually talking to me. Isn't he supposed to be angry? Have a bad blood against me? Despise me?

"May galit ba sa 'yo?" He threw a guess.

"Madami." I let out a small laugh, hugging myself. Totoo naman. Napatingin ako sa langit nang naramdamang may pumatak sa tubig sa kamay ko.

Marquenzo turned his back. "Umuulan ulit. Tara na," aya niya sa akin.

Takang-taka ako pero sumunod pa rin sa kaniya. He gave me a short nod when we parted ways in the hall. I just waited in the waiting shed for the rain to stop because I didn't want to rush and get wet. I parked the car quite far away.

"Ang tagal naman tumila ng ulan," I mumbled.

I watched the kids run on the streets, may iba pang nagbebenta ng sampaguita. Nakita kong tinataboy sila ng iilang police dahil hindi sila pwedeng magbenta. Naawa naman ako kaya tinawag ko ang isang bata. Basang-basa pa siyang lumapit sa akin.

"Magkano iyan? Bibilhin ko lahat," I told the boy with a smile plastered on my lips.

Luminag ang mga mata niya sa tuwa. "Talaga po?!" hindi-makapaniwalang tanong niya.

"Oo, para makauwi ka na. Silong ka muna. Umuulan. Baka magkasakit ka pa niyan," nag-aalalang sabi ko. Nakinig naman siya sa akin at nagsimulang bilangin ang sampaguita.

"Wala na?" Narinig ko ang boses ni Marquenzo sa tabi ko. Siya na naman?

"Wala na po! Bibilhin na po ni Ate lahat! Kung gusto n'yo po, mayroon sa kaibigan ko!"

Pasekreto kong sinulyapan si Marquenzo habang kumukuha ng pera sa bag ko. Ano'ng ginagawa nito rito? Gaano ba kahaba break time niya? Was he even on a break? May payong pa siyang dala, ah.