The Things I Never Did Before

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Elena's POV

The blurry white ceiling welcomed my eyes as soon as I open it. I hear different noises yet those are unrecognizable and i cannot understand it.

Hindi ko muna ginalaw ang aking katawan. Pinapakiramdaman ko ito, dahan-dahan kong ginalaw ang aking mga daliri sa magkabilang kamay.

I'm fine.

I close my eyes subconsciously. Someone sat beside me and hold my hand. “Hey, wake up Ele. I miss you so much,” it's Melissa! “I'm sorry, I really am sorry. Kung sana pinuntahan agad kita edi sana hindi ka na naghintay pa sa'kin. Edi sana wala ka dito.” she said, crying.

Don't cry, Mel. I want to say it to her. I want to tell her that I'm okay. But I don't have the strength to do so. I cannot open my mouth, i feel so weak and tired. . .

For the second time, everything is blurry again. Unti unti na naman ako nawawalan nga malay. What's happening to me?

Nagising akong may humahaplos sa buhok ko and it feels good. I wonder who it is. Ayokong buksan ang mga mata ko, ayokong matigil ang paghaplos sa buhok ko not yet. Pero gusto kong malaman kung sino.

Kaya nang buksan ko ang mga mata ko ay napaigtad ako. It's Aaron! “What are you doing here?!” sigaw ko. Looks like i regained my energy na dahil nagawa ko nang gumalaw ng maayos at magsalita.

“Woah! Woah! Chillax Elena,” depensa nito. “Huwag ka munang gumalaw baka mapano ka.” aniya na nagpakalma naman sa'kin.

Huminga ako ng malalim. “Where's Philip?”

Inayos niya ang kumot ko nang mahiga ako. “He's out, kumuha lang ng gamit. Si Melissa na ang nagdrive para mabilis.”

“Kanina pa?”

“Yeah, pabalik na sila.” he assured me. “Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo?” tanong nito sa akin.

“Well, masakit pa din tiyan ko. Parang may mali sa loob. What time is it na ba?” medyo nakahinga naman na ako ng magaan ngayong kumalma na ako. “Can I have some  water, Aki?”

He didn't move a bit. “H-how. . . I mean you remember that?” my brows furrowed. What does he mean? Ah! Now i know.

Tumango lang ako sa kanya. Tumalikod siya para kumuha ng tubig ko. Tinulungan niya akong makaupo. “Here.” nang mainom ang tubig ay medyo hindi na masakit ang tiyan ko.

He look at his watch. “It's already past 4. You've been sleeping for almost a day na.” aniya. Napanganga naman ako na siyang kinatawa niya. Seriously? Napatitig tuloy ako dito.

I can still remember that I used to call him 'Aki' it was when he invited me to their house since the two of us need to do our project. His mom— almost his family call him Aki. That's from his second name and I found it cute. Kaya simula no'n inasar ko siya.

Well, we're just friends back then not until magconfess siya sa'kin. Na siyang kinagalit ko. Hindi ko alam kung galit ba talaga ako o naiinis lang. Maybe i don't like the idea of him liking me since I see him as a brother, as a friend.

But still, he continues to pursue me kahit na lagi ko siyang inaayawan. Hanggang sa umabot kami ng 4th year college, he never stopped and he's always giving me the assurance. Sa buong 1st sem na 'yon araw araw akong nakakatanggap ng regalo mula sa kanya. Sandamakmak na texts and calls from him, letters at kung ano-ano pang pakulo.

I appreciate it a lot. When the second semester came I realized that I'm starting to like him back. The letters are more romantic to me as well as the gifts na akala ko noon ay sagabal lang at walang kwenta.