IRIS
Ang saya saya ko. Habang hinahatid ako pauwi ni Dylan, nadadaanan namin yung dalwang magkapatid - Minda and Neng. They're in good terms now. I felt accomplished. I excitedly entered the hut to deliver the news to Gabriel.
Pero nawala yun. Napalitan ng asar and disgust.
Alam mo yung kakaayos lang namin, then he's doing this, picking fights with me. The thought of him being jealous with Dylan made me flush, but I dismissed the thought when I remembered their conversation a while back.
Napasapo ako sa noo ko. Sumasakit ang ulo ko. Ngayon lang nagsink in sa body sysytem ko na dapat akong lagnatin dahil sa pagpapaulan ko kanina.
After our frivolous argument, I spread out the mat and roll myself into a ball. I'm sick. I'm ALWAYS sick. I tried to sleep to subside the throbbing pain in my head. With my eyes half closed, I saw the chair where he was sitting was empty.
I felt the back of his hand on my forehead. Kaya pala nawala siya sa upuan. I fought the urge to brush his hand off because I'm too weak to do such. I pretended to be asleep.
"Shit" he cussed, just loud enough for me to hear, "Burning with fever." I felt his presence hastily left my side. Later on, I sensed the dampness of a towel on my forehead and the warmth of the blanket that covered my shivering body.
Now I understand why he wanted to be a nurse so badly.
He indian-sat next to me. i tried my best to normalize my heart beat, but it didn't, and wouldn't. Although my eyes were shut closed, I can feel his concerned look, fixed on me.
Concerned? More like remorsed. Guilty, kasi naguumpisa siya ng away samantalang may sakit ako.
Sympathy. People sympathize with me because I'm diseased. I'm feeble. I'm frail. Pero sa totoo lang, hindi ko kailangan ng awa. Ito ba ang dahilan kung bakit siya nananatili sa tabi ko? Dahil naaawa siya? Dahil tingin niya na mahina ako at kailangan ko ng tulong?
God. I am overthinking. But my inner thoughts seem sensible.
--
DYLAN
What makes Iris so special?
One word: Mysterious.
That's what make me drawn to her. She scarcely shows emotions. Ireful, obnoxious, and cold. And nothing else. It seemed like a pattern. So when I saw that emotion in her eyes when I pinned her on the board, I became interested. She's trying really hard to look defiant, but I still can perceive her fright.
She's my synonym.
Different. One of a kind. My charms didnt work on her. Exception to the rule.
Then this Gabriel came out of nowhere. Ang lakas ng loob magbanta, tapos kaibigan lang naman pala.
But he's too protective for a "friend".
Iris was definitely not an easy prey. Someone finally ditched my motives. Hindi pa nga ako nanliligaw, busted na agad. I, Dylan Mikael Cervantes, the reigning campus player, was dumped for the very first time.
On our way back home, the unexpected - and almost impossible - happened. She smiled, for goodness' sake, when we walked past two sisters playing in the rain. This is a rare moment na hindi dapat pinapalampas.
Believe me or not, I DO like her. Kung hindi, siguro naman hindi ko isasakripisyo ang mga opportunities to fling just to sincerely court a girl, right? And the fact that I kept on pursuing her though she'd dumped me already, that meant a lot.
Tinamaan na yata ako.
--
GABRIEL
I spent the rest of my day looking after her. I can stare at her like this everyday and I assure you, you wont hear even a syllable of complaint from me. She occasionally cringes her nose involuntarily and I cant stand it. Cuteness radar exceeds up to its peak.
Kung may adjective lang para sa cute at maganda, innocent but fierce, siya na yun.
"Hmmm" she muttered as she slowly opened her lids. Inalalayan kong msupo siya ng subukan niyang tumayo.
"Teka, dahan dahan. Wag ka gumalaw masyado. What do you want to eat. Nahihilo ka pa ba?" sunod sunod niyang tanong.
She looked at me from underneath her lashes, " Do I look like I need help?"
Ah. The ever fretful Iris. I thought she was already tamed, but Im wrong, "Uhh, apparently, yes?"
She hissed, "I can do things on my own. I'm not asking for ANY help, especially YOUR help."
I looked at her quizically. I know she's a grouch. But this is not her usual self. I suspect that she's trying to imply something, though subtle and discreet. Whatever it is, I'll figure it out later. Kailangan kong unahin ang pagaasikaso ko sakanya.
"No offense meant," inabot ko ang dala kong first aid kit at kumuha ng gamot, "Here, drink this and--"
"Di ba sabi ko hindi ko kailangan ng tulong?! Kailangan ko pa bang ulit ulitin ha?!" I was taken aback by her sudden outburst. Galit parin ba siya dahil sa sinabi ko kanina? Kung oo, anong koneksyon ng mga pinagsasabi niya? I dont get it. This is being too irrational.
I tried to calm her down but she pushed me away. Pero dahil nga may sakit siya, ni hindi man lang ako naalog, "Iris, dont stress yourself out. You're still weak--"
"Weak." She crookedly smile, "Tell me, Gabriel. Why do you always choose to stay with me? Do you pity me? Dahil ba tingin mo mahina ako?"
I dont get it why she's saying the these things. Illogical. But the question hit me: Bakit nga ba hindi ko siya maiwan iwan? Kung tutuusin, hindi mahirap gawin yung dahil lahat na nga masamang salita, maidedescribe mo sakanya. But I chose to stay.
It's not that I pity her. Yes, I sympathize with her since the condition's grave, but not all the time. Dahil alam ko, at nakikita ko, na matapang niyang hinaharap lahat ng binabato sakanya. SHe can cope up with everything even WITHOUT me.
But just like a shattered glass, she needs to be handled with extra care. Dahil sa maliit na pagkakamali, tuluyan na siyan madudurog.
"I knew it. I'm right." she raised both her hands and placed it on her lap, "Im right." She looked up to contain her tears.
Kung hindi dahil sa awa, ano ang dahilan ko para samahan pa siya ng ganito katagal?
I didn't answered. Instead, I started to sort things out.
I always protect her from anything although I know that she can do it for herself.
I always make an effort to make her smile.
I couldn't stand the sight of her crying.
I annoy her a lot for her to notice me.
Her kiss made my heart go wild.
I dont want to see anyone making her smile except for me.
I cared a lot for her. A LOT.
I promised to help her complete the Twenty Nine Wills even if it meant a lot of sacrifices and commitment.
She woozily stood up and head to the door. Before she could even step out of the house, I grab her by the wrist but she didnt looked around. I can see her shoulders bouncing up and down. She's crying uncontrollably.
It would kill me if she'll ever leave.
Finally, I figured things out. I've been blinded by the thought that what I'm feeling for Iris is merely cordial and platonic.
But it's more than that.
"Iris, I stay with you because..."
I took a long, deep breath. My heart is pounding hard against my chest. It's now or never.
"Because I think I love you."