Blood of an Arrow (UNDER REVISION)

CATORCE

Tinampal ko ang bibig ko at ako lang din ang nasaktan sa ginawa ko. Ang tanga talaga.

"Are you okay?" nag-aalangan na tanong ni Magnus sa tabi ko. Hindi ko namalayan na nakahabol na ito at nasa tabi ko na.

"Sinabi ko nang wala kang makukuha sa'kin."

Tumawa lamang siya ng mahina. Walang sigla.

"I know, Chandiel. Sinundan lang kita kasi kanina ka pa wala sa sarili mo."

"Huh?"

"You don't even notice na naglalakad ka papuntang campus wasteland. Anong gagawin mo roon?" tanong nito at huminto sa paglalakad. Huminto rin ako nang mapagtantong patungo nga roon ang tinatahak ko.

Sinuyod ko ang kabuoan niya. It's good that he still tidy his hair. Maliban sa mga mata niyang may malalaking eyebags ay maayos naman ang anyo niya. Namayat nga lang siya ng kaunti.

"Ahh, sige salamat." I turned back and walked in the direction I came.

Just when I thought that I can get past him without feeling guilty, damned emotions caught me. I stopped in my tracks and chose to show him a simple gratitude. A pinch of salt won't hurt. He's nowhere near deserving to be kept in the shadow. Reason of what may be, he's entitled to grasp some bones from the closet.

"Do you play chess?" I asked as I turned around and offered him a faint smile. He was perplexed by the sudden kindness. I was planning to spill some tea while playing. I also need a distraction to get things off my mind.

"Well, yes."

"Good! Come." I continued walking and felt him keep up beside me.

"So, you woke up and decided to dress in kindness today?" Literal na kindness ang nakasulat sa harap ng t-shirt ko ngayon.

"Don't start, just hurry up." Wala na siyang idinugtong at tumahimik nalang din. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na maliban sa mga fangirls niya ay wala man lang siyang kaibigan.

It must be hard for him to bottle everything up.

Nakasunod lang siya sa akin kahit hindi ko rin alam kung saan kami tutungo.

"You have no clue where to go, right?"

He chuckled when I did not answer but threw him a glare instead.

"The view from the rooftop seems like a good idea with the weather like this today."

"Lead the way." We passed by the president's office but I dare not check. I might get unlucky at makita ko siya.

"You know, I'm wondering what string you've pulled on Luke for him to foolishly smile like that." he pointed in the front.

The jerk's smiling like a maniac. He waited in his spot until we reached him. Being kind that I am today, I ought to pass by him but bigla na lamang itong sumabay sa paglalakad namin.

"Where to, fellas?"

"why not" I replied sarcastically without throwing him a glance. I guess my kindness needed to rest so it slept.

"Why not?" may pagtatakang tanong nito. "Nabobo ka na ba sa comprehension noong nahospital ka kaya 'di mo na maintindihan ang simpleng English?"

"Tss." I heard Magnus' annoyed comment. Maybe he's not fond of Luke too. Tama nga 'yan. Ipagpatuloy mo lang, support.

"Idiot. I'm going there." I rolled my eyes at his ignorance. "And vice, y'know I'm the best in all trades, right?"

"So, where exactly is that?" pangungulit pa nito. Eh kung iuntog ko kaya siya sa posteng madadaanan namin tapos sabihin kong nadulas lang ang kamay ko. Baka sakaling swertehin siya at makita niya sa impyerno kung nasaan 'yon.