SEVEN AND ARROW (Montana Series 2 | BXB)

45: Hiraeth

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Arrow started using a wheelchair going to school. He could still walk, but most of the time, he needed to roll with his wheelchair. It was a big adjustment for everyone, especially for the both of us. Lahat ng tao sa Northside ay binabalingan kami ng tingin habang itinutulak ko siya sa kanyang wheelchair, ngunit nang tumagal ay nasanay na rin sila at nasanay na rin kami.

"Did you finish your assignment in Literature?" I asked Arrow as I pushed his wheelchair heading to our classroom.

"You know me, Seven. I do well with poems, so it's a small thing for me," he answered. "How about you?"

"I had a hard time, but I don't want to disappoint you, so I did my best to finish it," I responded with a sigh.

"I wanna hear it," he said excitedly.

"Huwag na, Arrow. Baka pagtawanan mo lang ako lalo na't napakagaling mo pagdating sa gano'ng bagay."

He drew a smile. "I won't, promise."

With heavy breath, I said, "Okay. I'll think about it."

He gave me a nod with a smile. When we reached our classroom, Audrey and Maze helped me to assist Arrow to his chair. Pwede naman siyang manatili sa wheelchair, ngunit pakiramdam daw niya ay naiiba siya sa lahat kapag nanatili siya doon. He wanted to sit on his classroom chair just like before.

"So how are you?" Maze asked.

"Enjoying my throne," answered Arrow as he stared at his wheelchair.

"You should ask your mom to buy you a golden wheelchair," said Audrey. "A king like you deserves that."

"Stop with your nonsense, Audrey," Arrow said with a giggle.

I truly admired his courage. Arrow's smile spoke volumes about his character. He's so optimistic that made every people around him less worried. SCA had taken so much from him, his strength, his energy, and even his future, but I knew his illness could not take his positive spirit.

"Hey!" someone spoke, it was Colton walking towards us. Hindi siya nakasuot ng kanyang uniform at may dala siyang bagahe.

"Anong meron?" tanong ko. "Saan ka pupunta?"

"Nakalimutan mo na? December na," saad ni Colton. "I need to travel now for the national competition."

"Oo nga pala," sambit ko. "Kung ganoon ay ilang araw kang mawawala?" tanong ko.

"Almost two weeks," he answered.

"Gano'n katagal?" tanong ni Maze.

"Oo, sa Mindanao kasi ang venue kaya mapapahaba ang byahe," sagot ni Colton.

"Good luck, Colton," Audrey said.

"Keep in mind everything I told you," Arrow said, flashing trust and confidence for his friend.

"I will," said Colton. "Ipapanalo ko 'yon para sa'yo."

"Stop that, Colton," Arrow uttered. "Baka magselos si Seven nyan, lalo na si Dandrix."

"What?" Audrey and Maze reacted.

Mabilis namang napatingin si Colton sa aming mga kaibigan at ngumiti. "Huwag niyo masyadong sineseryoso ang sinasabi ni Arrow. You know he's a good joker."

"No, he's a bad joker," I disagreed with sarcasm.

"Yeah," said Audrey. "I remember when he told about the cat joke."

"Don't go there, Audrey," warned Arrow.

"Why? It's corny but I think it's kinda funny," Audrey stated with sarcasm. "Ano na ulit 'yon? Pwede ko bang marinig ulit?"