See You Again, Winter | On-going

CHAPTER EIGHT

Purpose

The next day, I went to school early as usual but my mind is still wondering what happened to Neo. Before we parted our ways last Sunday, he seemed okay or maybe he just hid it because he doesn't want it to show me. After our afternoon class, I headed out of the school because I plan to visit him in the hospital.

"Neo?" bungad ko sa kabilang linya.

I called him because I want to ask him where he was admitted.

"Napatawag ka, na-miss mo agad ako?" He playfully said on the other line. Na-hospital na talaga siya ay nakuha pang magbiro.

"Itatanong ko lang kung saang hospital ka naka-admit?" I asked while waiting for the jeepney.

"Bakit bibisitahin mo ako?" He jokingly asked.

I just rolled my eyes eventhough he can't see it. "Aalamin ko lang kung buhay ka pa," biro ko na ikinatawa niya.

"Sa St. Agustin..." He answered as I heard him coughed.

"Okay ka lang ba?" I worriedly asked.

May huminto ng jeep kaya sumakay na ako kasama ang ibang estudyanteng nagaabang din nang masasakyan.

"Okay pa ako, hindi pa ako mamamatay," sabi niya bago tumawa. "At saka pala bago pumunta ibili mo muna ako ng pizza at ice cream, cookies 'n cream ang flavor." dagdag niya.

"May pera ka bang patago sa akin huh?" singhal ko.

"Babayaran kita huwag kang mag-alala."

Narinig kong may pumasok sa kuwarto niya, kausap yata niya 'yong nurse.

"Sige na, hintayin ko ang ice cream ko," pahabol niya bago pinutol ang tawag.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako saka kinuha ang aking wallet. Mabuti na lang at may pera pa ako, sisingilin ko talaga ang lalaking iyon. Bumaba na ako sa may tapat ng pizza house para bumili ng pizza na sinasabi ni Neo. Pagkatapos kong bumili ay pumunta naman ako sa convenience store para bumili ng ice cream. Nang makabili na ako ay naglakad na lang ako papunta sa hospital tutal malapit na naman din iyon.

Maggagabi na ng makarating ako sa hospital. Umakyat na ako sa second floor kung nasaan ang kuwarto ni Neo. Pagpasok ko sa kuwarto niya ay naabutan ko siyang nagbibihis ng hospital gown kaya napatalikod agad ako.

"Hindi ka ba marunong kumatok?" pang-aasar niya. "Tapos na ako magbihis pwede ka ng lumingon,"

"Akala ko kasi nakahiga ka lang," I said as I walked towards him.

Tumayo naman din siya kaagad at kinuha ang stand kung saan nakasabit ang IV bag.

"Saan ka pupunta?" tanong ko.

"Doon tayo sa rooftop," He said as he walked towards the door.

"Pwede ka bang pumunta roon?" I asked as I walked behind him.

"Pwede kung hindi tayo mahuhuli," sabi niya saka ngumisi.

Lumapit na siya sa may pinto at sinilip kung may darating na nurse.

I also stand beside him when he immediately grab my wrist and pulled me closer to him causing my back to hit the cemented wall. I tightly grip the plastic bag that I am holding when I realized how close we are from each other. I can hear him breathing heavily as he wait for the nurse to pass by. I can also see his pointed nose and how long his eyelashes are. And when the nurse passed by the room, we both let out a sigh of relief. He then, looked at me and took one stepped backward when he realized that the two of us were just inches away.