Mnasthai (The Order #1)

Chapter Three

I'm dead?

I died?

The fork I was holding audibly clanked when I dropped it on the plate. Nakauwang ang labi at nanlalaki ang mga mata. My chest feels tight and I feel like something was squeezing my heart painfully.

I feel like the walls in this room were closing in and my vision was getting darker. My whole world spun that I had to grip on the table to keep myself from falling.

I heard the screeching of the chair followed by hasty footsteps. Hands held my arm and I heard Noah asked, "Kinsley, are you okay? May masakit ba sa'yo?"

Hindi ako makasagot. Nanatili ang isip ko sa narinig na balita. Fabienne Leona Sloan died yesterday. Papaano? Paano ako namatay? Anong nangyari? At kung namatay ako, bakit nasa katawan na ito ang kaluluwa ko?

"Jakob, tubig," utos ni Noah. Wala ako narinig na nagsalita pero narinig ko ang pag-atras ng upuan.

"Kinsley, namumutla ka," Noah said again but I still didn't say anything.

Bumalik si Jakob dala ang isang pitcher ng tubig. Orange juice kasi ang nasa hapag. Maya-maya pa ay inabot niya ito kay Noah. Noah's the one who handed it to me.

"Uminom ka, Kinsley."

I inhaled sharply and shook my head. I pushed the glass away from me. I don't need water. I need to know more about my death.

"Paano mo nalaman? How did she die? Are you sure she's dead?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko rito.

"Drink and I'll answer your questions," Noah gravely said.

I clenched my jaw but I still did what he said anyway. Kinuha ko ang baso mula sa kanya at masigasig na ininom 'yon. I emptied its contents para masaya siya.

"Tss. I don't know why you're so interested." He rolled his eyes. Bumalik siya sa kinauupuan niya kanina at ganoon din naman si Jakob.

"Tell me," I urged.

Noah frowned and paused as if recollecting the details in his head. "The night of September 28, she fell from the fifth floor of the engineering building and was said to be found by her ex-boyfriend, Silver. Naisugod pa siya sa hospital pero kahapon nag-announce na ang pamilya niya na namatay ito."

"She fell from the fifth floor?" I incredously asked.

Kinsley's brother nodded. "They said she slipped. The whole story is posted on a Facebook page somewhere. It's even on the news since her family's big time. They own the several branches of that famous hospital, Mary Clair Medical Hospital."

I scoffed. "Slipped?"

"There are rumors that she probably... committed suicide," Noah whispered the last two words.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I suddenly feel violent and defensive. Of course, I am! I am being accused of suicide. "I would never!"

"Kinsley..." maingat na sabi ni Noah. Malalim na ang simangot niya pero may bakas ng pag-aalala sa mga mata.

Ipinikit ko ang mga mata at pilit na kinalma ang sarili. I have to careful with my outbursts. Kinsley. I'm in Kinsley's body. If I keep suggesting that I'm a different person, they'll worry about my mental condition at baka hindi sila magdalawang isip na ipadala ako sa mental hospital.

"Sorry. I'm sensitive to that topic," I lamely excused.

Noah's facial expression softened. Sadness crossed his eyes but he quickly hid it. Maybe he didn't want to show any sign of weakness. Ipinagpatuloy niya na lang ang pagkain ng pasta.