Kapit Bitaw

Chapter 21

'Di na ako natulog kagabi.

I told myself that this would be a one time thing. Ang sakit kasi ng ulo ko at pilit kong ibinubukas ang mata ko. I bought myself black coffee before I went to school so that I could waken up. Ang head was thumping. I feel like a minute more, I would collapse into the ground, sleeping.

"Oh, you look like shit!" bungad sa akin ni Angela. She's my classmate now that we were in the second year. Bilis ng panahon.

"Thanks." sabi ko. I was aware of my large eyebags. Buti pa si Angela, mukhang blooming at stress free ngayon.

"Welcome." sabi niya at uminom na rin sa kape ko, despite my complains.

"Lab tayo ngayon 'di ba?" pagod kong tanong.

"Yup!"

"Great." sarkastiko kong sabi.

My head is still throbbing. Sa buong forehead ko. "Saan ba masakit?"

"Dito." I gestured to my whole forehead.

"Sign of stress. Magpahinga kasi girl... kailan ka magpapahinga ha? Kapag nasa ilalim ka na ng lupa?"

"I will. I will. It's just... sobrang daming gagawin." I said as I plopped down on the chair. Tumayo din naman kaagad ako dahil tinatawag na kami sa lab.

"Today, didissect tayo ng isang katawan ng tao. Specifically, the leg. A moment of silence to all the people who have donated their bodies for the sake of Science. Now, one member should use the scalpel to open it up. Carefully..." the teacher was demonstrating it in front.

I couldn't focus. "Liana... ikaw na." sabi ng group leader namin.

Tumango ako. Pinipikit ang mga mata ko. Kinuha ko ang maliit na equipment sa tabi ng lamesa. My head keeps throbbing. "Liana." saway sa akin. "Hindi diyan, Liana!"

Bakit... umiikot ang mundo?

Nabitawan ko ang maliit na kutsilyo at napahawak sa gilid ng lamesa. "Maxine, ikaw na nga lang..." iritadong sabi ng leader namin. "Pakibilisan nga, may timer si Sir."

I muttered a sorry, my hand was still on my head. Pumunta muna ako sa gilid, trying to calm myself down. Pagkabalik ko, ang bungad sa akin ay ang bukas na binti ng isang patay na tao.

I've watched a lot of medical dramas, seen a lot of open bodies, know a lot of medical terms.

But nothing prepared me for this.

Iba talaga kapag totoo na...

"Liana!" ang huli kong narinig bago ako bumagsak sa sahig. Itim nalang ang kita.

I stirred. First thing I saw was the clouds. Agad akong napatayo. Next thing I saw was the leg surgically opened inside my head. Napapikit ako. "Juliana..." a voice said beside me.

When I looked at the side, I saw Julian.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nahimatay ka, Liana."

"I know." I said. "Why are you here?"