Paper Planes

Kabanata 12

Dedication: @DeaThArK, for your unyielding support, arigatou gozaimasu! 😘

KABANATA 12

Nakatunganga ako habang pinagkakasya sa desinyo ng blusa ni Mimi ang aking paningin at may naka-ipit na thermometer sa aking kilikili. Ilang sandali lang ay tumunog na ito at kinuha iyon nang nag-aalala kong magulang. Muli niya pa akong pinasadahan ng tingin bago binasa iyong nakasulat doon.

"38 degrees."

"See, Princess, you have a high fever. Huwag ka na lang munang pumasok ngayon at magpahinga na lang dito sa bahay," Gene said after pacing around so much waiting for my temperature reading.

I sighed before I slowly shook my head in defiance, feeling weak.

"Malapit na ang periodical exams namin. I can't afford to be absent right now," I said, my voice croaked at the roughness I felt in my throat. Sandali pa akong naubo, "Marami pa akong kailangang tapusin," I added although I didn't exactly need to do anything because I've got everything covered. Ayoko lang sayangin ang kabutihan nila sa pagpapaaral sa akin.

"Iyan rin ba ang idadahilan mo sa mga taong nagpapakahirap para sa iyo?! Para may makain ka! May maisuot ka! Para makapag-aral ka! Ganito lang ba ang igaganti mo sa kabutihan nila?!" I inwardly cringed at the memory.

"Dakara, I have to go to school. Konting sinat lang naman ito. Mawawala rin mamaya," sabi ko pa.

"But—" He wanted to protest further when his wife stepped in.

She sat beside me and took my hands into hers. The gentle brushing of her warm palm gave comfort to my cold skin.

"Nag-aalala lang kami ng Papa mo, anak, at baka mapaano ka sa klase niyo kapag pinilit mong pumasok. Hindi naman namin hinihiling na kailangang matataas ang dapat na makuha mong grado. It's enough that you are actually enjoying while doing good with your classes. Grades don't define your intellect. It won't define you as a person. And it certainly won't define your future," mahinahon ngunit puno ng diin nitong tugon, "If you miss classes because you weren't feeling fine, that's okay. You can always make up for it when you're feeling better. Baka kasi iniisip mong kailangan mong maging pinakamagaling bilang ganti sa pagpapaaral namin sa iyo. Hindi iyon ganoon, Aya."

Pakiramdam ko sa sobrang hina ko, nahayaan kong nakabukas ang aking sarili kaya nababasa nila ang aking iniisip. Nagbaba ako ng tingin at itinuon na lamang iyon sa humahaplos niyang daliri.

"Ang sa amin lang naman ay maranasan mo kung papaano ang pumasok sa isang paaralan at makasalamuha ang ibang mga estudyante," dagdag pa nito.

I knew that they had a point. I was up the whole night feeling like the Goddess of pain came upon me and brought the north pole to the room. But my hurting pride was too stubborn to listen and wouldn't let down.

"Stop acting foolish and grow the fuck up, kid!" Nagtagis ang aking panga sa naalala.

"I understand what you're saying but I really need to be at school today. There are things that I still need to do and I don't really want to get left behind by everyone. Please understand?" I said, my voice strained with unyielding will.

May pag-aalalang nagtinginan ang mag-asawa sa aking harapan, definitely finding ways to convince me to stay. Inunahan ko na sila.

"I promise that if I'm feeling worse, I'll admit myself to the school clinic and then send a text to Kuya Milo to come and take me home."

Muli pang nagtinginan ang dalawa bago bumaling sa akin. Tumabi si Gene sa kabila ko at marahang inakbayan and I was silently grateful for his warmth.