HEY, ILY

47

a special narrative chapter
in Seah's perspective

14 JUL, 8:59 PM

My head was throbbing and it was as if it was being crushed. Gusto ko na sanang matulog para mawala ang sakit ng ulo ko at gumising na lang ng madaling-araw para makapag-aral. But me being a great overthinker and an insomniac, I couldn't sleep no matter what.

And this situation's driving me crazy!

This is like the first time a friend's going to my condo and I'm at my worst pa. Everything's also very messy! I couldn't remember when was the last time I've ever cleaned. At kahit gustuhin ko mang maglinis ngayon, hindi ko rin naman magawa dahil sobrang sakit ng ulo ko.

Migraine? I don't know. Basta ang sakit, sobra.

A few minutes later, I heard a few knocks on my door. Tumayo na agad ako at napahawak sa ulo ko. Binuksan ko iyon and it revealed Samuel who was looking at me like he was displeased with what he just came into. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga kamay niyang may bitbit na dalawang plastic.

"What are those—"

He cut me off. "Masakit pa ba ulo mo?"

"Yes."

"Can I get inside?"

"Uh... go ahead."

Tumabi ako para makapasok siya. I watched him as his eyes scanned the whole place. I know what he's thinking. He's probably weirded out by my things literally scattered in the living room.

"Where's your kitchen?" tanong niya.

I showed him the way. Pagdating doon ay binuksan niya agad ang ref ko. Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya pero mas nagulat siya sa nakita niya.

"Are you seriously trying to kill yourself, Nat?" He looked at me. "Walang laman ang ref mo. Kumakain ka pa ba?"

"It's not like I still have time to cook."

"You know..." He closed the fridge and took a step forward. "Ikaw ang nagsabi 'nun sa 'kin, diba? Studying is okay, but eating is above everything."

Pumunta siya sa counter at nilabas mula sa plastic ang mga dala niya. He brought a lot! Like really a lot. May dala siyang gamot at pagkain. Everything looks raw.

"Just sit there. I'll cook so you could eat before you drink your meds."

Nakatalikod lang siya sa akin habang may kung anong ginagawa sa sink while I was just sitting with my thread still throbbing.

"You don't need to do this, Samuel. This is too much. You're being too nice."

"Because you're my friend."

"Pero kahit na."

"Don't argue. Mas lalong sasakit ang ulo mo. Just rest for a while, will you?"

"Do you even know how to cook?" I asked. Tinignan ko ang mga dala niya. May mga macaroni pa siya at gulay na binili.

But still, I just had to ask kung marunong ba siya dahil sa pagkakarinig ko ay computer lang naman ang ginagalaw niya lagi sa bahay nila.