Stonehearts 4: Diamond

Twenty Eight

           

Ferris was calling non-stop after he left. Most of it I didn't answer because I was still busy catching up with Bryce. Marami nga siyang na-ikwento sa'kin. He said is up for another promotion next month, he was able to buy a new car for his mom and many more. Though Bryce was born with wealth, he made sure that he works hard for the things he have. Aya niya raw kasing umaasa sa mommy at daddy niya.

"Ferris?" I uttered once I answered his 56th call. I sat on the edge of my bed waiting for him to speak. I heard him sigh first, "I know I sound too possessive and very much paranoid but I want to know what happened after I left."

I smiled before throwing myself on the mattress. "Marami. But for one he said that he'll try to support my decisions."

"Which means-?"

Mas lumapad ang ngiti ko bago tumagilid. "Yes, tanggap na niya kung anong mayroon tayo." Nakarinig ako ng kaluskos mula sa kabilang linya bago siya sumagot, "Is it true? Baka may sakit lang 'yang bestfriend mo."

"Wala. I know Bryce, he's a man of his words. Kapag sinabi niya, ginagawa niya."

I heard him sigh in contentment before he hummed a tune. "I'm glad things turned out that way. I still hate him but I don't want you to pick between us. Alam ko kung gaano siya ka-espesyal sa'yo at kung nagawa niyang tanggapin ang tayo. Then I'm willing to adjust too."

A grin graced my lips, wishing we were talking face to face. Oh how I love to see his expression while he talks serious about us. "Ferris, hindi mo pa sinasabi ang pinag-usapan niyo ni papa." Pag-iiba ko sa usapan.

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang tawa sa kabilang linya. "You're not really letting go of the topic aren't you sunshine?" He asked, amusement evident in his voice. I nodded my head as if he was able to see me. There was a long pause on the other line before I heard him take a deep breath.

"We talked about your condition. Sabi ni tito 'wag ko raw sabihin sa'yo dahil ayaw mong kinakaawan ka ng tao. Hindi naman talaga 'yon ang pinag-uusapan namin kaso napunta na lang do'n nang pinagsabihan niya ako sa nangyari. He said that stress isn't good for you, kaya sana hindi ako gagawa ng ikaka-stress mo."

"Kayo kasi ni Bryce eh.."

He chuckled. I can imagine him shaking his head. At siguro kung magkaharap kami, inabot na niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan iyon. "I know, I'm sorry about what happened that night. But I promise to do my best to be the best for you."

Napatihaya ako at napahawak sa dibdib ko. I can surely die right now. Iba ang pakiramdam na abot ni Ferris. He doesn't only give me butterflies, he gave me a whole damn zoo. I'm too foreign with these feelings but with him everything seemed natural and inherent.

"Hey, you still there?" He whispered. Hindi ako sumagot. I heard him let out a short laugh. Akala ko nga ibababa na niya ang linya pero nagpatuloy pa rin siya sa pagsasalita. "You know why I hated you at first? Because I got frightened by your presence. The way you take things head on terrified the life out of me and I can't accept it. Akala ko mapapaalis kita kapag araw-araw kitang pahihirapan. But no, you stood your ground and little by little my feelings grew into something different and alarming."

"The truth is, I'm still afraid of the things we have. Natatakot pa rin ako kapag naiisip ko na sa'yo na nakasalalay ang sarili ko. Because the moment I realized that I've fallen deep with you, I let myself be in your command. But then again, I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything. I rather be petrified and guessing for the next days than to be sure without you. You don't know how rooted my feelings for you Minerva Diamond."

Gusto kong sumagot pero napangunahan na ako ng luha ko. What he said left me wordless, speechless. I want him to know how much I wanted him and only him. That I'm willing to gamble everything, even my life, just to be with him.

"I love you Minerva Diamond. Goodnight."

Then the line went dead. Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa dibdib ko at napabangon. Inaasahan ko na kakapusin ako ng hininga pero hindi. But instead I just sat there, dumbfounded. Sinabi niyang mahal niya ako. Ilang beses na kaya niyang sinasabi 'yon sa tuwing nakakatulugan ko siyang kausap?

I slept happier that night pero kinakabahan kung paano haharapin si Ferris kinabukasan kapag sinundo niya ako.

Nagising ako ng mas maaga kinabukasan. Excited and terrified to see Ferris. Mix emotions so to speak. Parang gusto ko siyang akapin agad-agad at 'wag na lang magsalita. I'm afraid words might fail me once I speak. Sa aming dalawa naman kasi si Ferris talaga ang magaling sa salita. Lahat nang binibitiwan niya talagang nanunuot sa buto at sistema ko.

I was combing my hair infront of the mirror when blood suddenly dripped from my nose. Dinampi ko ang tuwalya ko bago sumigaw at tinawag si mama. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong namutla. Malakas na binuksan ni mama ang pinto ng banyo ko, "Anong nangyari?" Mapag-alalang tugon niya.

Nakaupo na ako sa sahig at naiiyak habang nakatakip ang ilong ko ng tuwalya. Mama's eyes went wide with fear before she guided me back up. "Dante!" Yawywa niya. Tuloy-tuloy lang ang tulo ng dugo mula sa ilong ko na kinasanhi ang pagkahilo ko. Ang huli ko na lang naalala ay ang pagsalubong sa amin ni papa sa hagdan. Pagkatapos no'n nagdilim na ang lahat.

Nagising ako at nasa pamilyar akong lugar na pinapaligiran ng puting dingding. Napansin ni mama ang pag-galaw ko kaya mabilis siyang tumakbo sa tabi ko. "Anak kumusta ang pakiramdam mo?" She asked, her voice packed with concern. She was caressing my hair. Umupo ako at humawak sa ulunan ko.

"O-okay naman na po ma. Saan si papa?"

"Kausap ang doctor kasama si Ferris. Maya maya babalik na sila."

"Nandito si Ferris?"

Tumango si mama bago ako inabutan ng baso ng maiinom. "Oo. Sakto ang dating niya nang palabas na tayo ng bahay. Siya ang nag-drive papunta rito."

Sumandal ako, sabi ko excited akong makita siya tapos sa ospital pa ang bagsak naming dalawa.

The door creaked open and I jerked my head up to see Ferris and papa walking inside. Kausap pa rin nila ang doktor at panay ang tango nilang dalawa. Ferris face lit up when he saw me conscious. He immediately went to my side and planted a kiss on my forehead. Si papa naman lumapit at humawak sa kamay ko.

"How are you feeling?" Ferris asked in a low, caring tone. I smiled at him, "Okay naman na ako Ferris. Nahilo lang ako kanina kaya siguro hinimatay ako."

Sinuklay niya ang buhok ko bago hinarap ang doktor sa harap namin. "This is Doctor Narciso sunshine. He's your attending physician." Pakilala sa akin ni Ferris sa lalakeng nakaputing roba. The doctor nodded his head before handing a piece of paper to mama. "Normal naman ho ang blood test niya misis. Baka gawa lang ng init ng panahon ang pagdugo ng ilong niya. Iwasan na lang muna ang pagbabad sa araw."

I was discharged later that day. Si mama at papa naman hiniling kay Ferris na 'wag muna akong pumasok. Umiral nanaman kasi ang pagka-over protective nila sa akin. Pumayag naman si Ferris na walang ano-ano. Sinisisi niya pa nga ang sarili niya dahil baka raw sa init kahapon sa garden nila kaya ako nag-nosebleed. I just shrug of the thought. Hindi naman niya kasalanan kung bakit ako sakitin.