Immortal City

Chapter 42

Chapter 42
Hyperlexia

I catch my breath, coughing water out of my lungs as I feel white pain all over my head. My ears feel clogged and my eyes are watery from too much coughing. I can't seem to stop the water running from my nose when I try to sit up.

I see Daimon beside me breathing hard like I do. Worry is drawn all over his face as water drips from his dark hair. His trembling lips are red, his eyes fixed and unblinking when he quickly pulls me to him. His firm arms wrap around me in a fierce hug⁠—one hand protectively holding my head, the other on the small of my back. I feel his heart beating rapidly against my chest as he whispers softly in my ear.

"I thought I'd lose you again."

There's a certain heaviness in his voice, an aching fear and sorrow that makes me want to relieve him from his burden.

My hand lays on his bare back and I've just notice the crowd surrounding us—my friends closest to us, looking worried about my state.

Lahat sila ay nakatingin sa amin.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang eksaktong nangyari matapos akong mahulog sa pool. Hindi ko rin nakita kung sino ang tumulak sa akin. Ang alam ko lang ay nakapalibot na ang karamihan sa kanila kung nasaan ako ngayon.

Their stares are piercing, but I'm too disoriented to even get embarrassed of my situation.

Daimon lifts me up, carrying me in his arms.

Agad na nagbigay daan ang mga estudyante at naglakad si Daimon papunta sa P.E. teacher namin.

"She needs to rest," diretsong sabi niya.

Walang gana akong tinignan ng P.E. teacher namin bago tumango. "Alright. You have my permission."

Hindi nagsayang ng oras si Daimon at agad na naglakad pabalik. Nakatingin pa rin silang lahat sa aming dalawa. Siguro ay dahil panibagong palabas na naman ito para sa kanila. I catch a glimpse of Zairus' downcast eyes when we go past him.

"Where's her robe?" Daimon curtly says to no one in particular.

I see Ione quickly handing him my white robe.

Daimon grabs it using his hand under my knees. "Cover yourself with this, love," he tells me.

I take it from his hand, my arm feeling wobbly and weak. Only now do I realize I'm shivering from the cold air hitting my exposed skin, making me hug the cotton fabric tighter.

Daimon carries me toward the exit.

Before we completely head out, I hear Lucienne say, "Bibigyan ko ng fifty points ang makakapag-tulak kay Tammy Abrera sa pool."

Then I hear a splash.

Almost drowning made me feel weak and feeble like a newborn baby. Pakiramdam ko ay nawalan ako ng lakas. May kung anong takot at bigat sa dibdib ko dahil sa nangyari na hindi ko maipaliwanag. My hand rests on Daimon's bare chest and I bury myself closer to him, finding solace from his hold as I close my eyes.

Pagmulat ko ay bumungad sa akin ang isang pamilyar na lugar.

"Daimon." Even my voice has become weak. "This isn't my dormitory."

He plants a kiss on top of my head. "You'd be safer here."

I recognize the red satin chair on the other side of the room. Pati na rin ang pulang kama na ngayon ay itim na ang punda. The first time I was here, Daimon insisted to make me quit the competition. Now I'm still in the game he persistently didn't want me to be involved in.