Escape to Death

Kabanata 21

I sighed.

The night had fallen like a heavy curtain, napakadilim. The stars, that is once a playful pinpricks of light, were now shyly hidden behind a veil of inky clouds dahil sa pagbida ng ulan. The moon, a pearl in the inky sky, ascended slowly, casting an ethereal glow upon the land. Na kahit kaunti, nagbibigay ito ng liwanag para makakita kami. But the night was not all peaceful and quiet. In the fury of the downpour, there was a wildness, a raw energy that pulsed through the very air. Napakalakas pa rin ng ulan. Makikita pa rin ang pagkulog at kidlat. The lightning, a jagged blade, split the darkness, momentarily setting the world ablaze in stark silver, before plunging it back into an even deeper inky blackness. And, the thunder, a deep guttural growl, rumbled through the clouds. As if it's shaking the building and sending shivers down spines on us.

Bumuga ulit ako ng hangin para mainitan ang palad.

Natigil ang pagsusuri ko sa paligid at nilingon nalang si Radge sa tabi ko. He's seriously quiet. Tahimik niyang inaayos ang loob ng bag. Tapos na kasi niya akong pakainin kaya mukhang inaayos niya ang mga nagamit. However, while he was doing it, nananatili ang aking mata sa kanya. Pinanood ko siya habang katahimikan ang bumabalot sa aming dalawa.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at nagsalita. "How did you get here?" Mahinang tanong ko. Hindi naman siya agad nakasagot. Sinarado niya ang zipper ng bag at iginilid ito para hindi mabasa. Matapos non, nilingon niya ako. Lumapit siya sa akin at inangat ako para mapwesto sa gitna ng dalawang binti niya. From my back, he hugged me behind.

"Did you know that hugging can reduce your cold?" Malumanay at maingat na sabi niya, hindi manlang pinansin ang tanong ko.

"Of course..." Mabagal na sagot ko habang bahagyang nakanguso. He's right. When we hug, our skin comes into contact with another person, which can help to transfer body heat. And of course, this is especially effective if the other person is dry and warm. Since Radge's body started to dry up, it will eventually work.

"Then let me hug you..." He said.

Ngumuso ako lalo at bumusangot. "But, it won't work if I'm wearing these jackets."

"Hm..." Bahagyang tumaas ang kilay niya at maya-maya'y sumilip ang linya ng kapilyuhan sa labi niya. "Then take it out." Suhestyon niya pa kaya mas sumama ang timpla ko at hinampas siya. Mahina siyang tumawa at mapupungay ang matang tinitigan ako. "I'm serious..."

"Tss, hindi na! Okay na ako sa ganito!"

"Come on, Doll face. It will help you to keep warm. Look at yourself, lamig na lamig ka pa rin dahil sa mga basang jacket na 'yan."

"Ikaw ang nagsabi na suotin ko 'to!"

"Then, I'll take it back." He chuckled. "I realized that hugging is much more effective than that." Sabi niya pa. Magrereklamo pa sana ulit ako pero dumiin ang yakap niya. Sumeryoso rin lalo ang mga mata niya kahit na may maliit na linya ng pagngiti ang labi niya. He's serious.

I gulped.

Fine. I'll admit that hugs are the effective way for us right now to deal with the colds. Sa ganito kasing sitwasyon na wala kaming mga kagamitan para mapigilan ang lamig na nararamdaman, hugs are the only solution we can do. However, I'm aware that the effectiveness of a hug in keeping you warm will depend on the intensity of the rain, the temperature, and how long you're out in it. But in the Emotional connection, it says that hugs can release oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of bonding and attachment. Oxytocin can also have a mild pain-relieving effect, which can be helpful if you're feeling cold or uncomfortable.