Losing Grounds [Davin & Ninaandrea]

Kabanata 13

Pakiramdam ko ay mamamatay na ako sa matinding kaba at takot. Nagbalik lang ako sa kasalukuyan nang maramdaman ‘yong mas paghigpit ng hawak ni Levin sa akin.

“Davin, here!” biglang tawag ni Miss Samantha na nagpalingon sa akin sa kaniya. And it was only when I realized that she was here as well, together with some other faculty members.

Davin narrowed his eyes, glancing between me and my hand that Levin held. A furrow formed on his forehead, and a low growl escaped him as he settled into the seat beside Miss Samantha.

“Nina, hija, are you alright? You look pale,” puna ni Dean Esperanza, ‘yong mabait na Dean ng College of Nursing, pero ngayon ay takot lang ang tanging nararamdaman ko sa kaniya.

Suddenly, I was overcomed by a sudden wave of nausea and chills, the overwhelming urge to vomit was taking hold of me.

“You both look tense! Huminga nga kayo, mga anak,” natatawang sabi ni Dean Esperanzza. “Hindi ko naman kayo pagagalitan! Come on! Masyado kayong kabado riyan!”

Biglang napalingon ako sa kaniya, agad na gumaan ‘yong dibdib sa sinabi niya.

Hindi niya kami pagagalitan?

Kung ganoon, ano ang ginagawa namin rito?

Bakit niya kami ipinatawag?

“Anyway, gusto ko sana kayong kausapin tungkol sa nalalapit na Nursing Week,” aniya.

I felt the overwhelming urge to cry as a sudden wave washed away all my worries and fears. I thought it was the end for me, convinced I was about to be expelled from this school for good.

Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa kamay ni Levin na nagpalingon naman sa kaniya sa akin. Gusto kong maiyak. Gusto ko siyang yakapin. Gusto kong magpasalamat. Gusto kong humingi sa kaniya ng sorry dahil pinag-isipan ko siya ng masama.

“What are we all doing here?” singit ni Davin sa isang tila inis na tinig.

As I looked at him, I found his gaze still locked on Levin and my hands that were now intertwined. I loosened my grip, feeling suddenly awkward, but Levin did not let go.

“Part of the upcoming Nursing Week is a pageant, and we are searching for representatives from each year level. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors already have theirs. We just need seniors,” Dean Esperanza explained.

“So, you want us to be the representatives, is that why we are here?” Levin directly asked.

“Precisely!” sa malawak na ngiti ay sagot ni Dean Esperanza.