"Hi Sweetie! Woah- OUCHY!"
I hissed tapping Alliyah's leg so she won't get burnt by the fire.
"I told you not to go near! Ang kulit mo talaga!" Sigaw ko.
I was making the bonfire by myself when this woman went here to bother me. She pouted and crossed her arms as if she was annoyed by me shouting at her. Hindi ko pinansin ang pagtampo niya at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa ko.
It has been hours since we've arrived in our camping spot...
And it has been hours since the start of a fucking; Cold War.
Yes, a war between me and my so-called wife, in papers.
Ignoring challenge.
huh -_-.
"Why are you isolating yourself here ba? This camping trip is supposed to be a bonding for you and your cousins! Tapos gaganyan ka?" Muling pambubulabog ni Alliyah.
Umupo pa ito sa isang small camping chair na naka palibot sa bonfire na ginagawa ko ngayon.
Ako lang kasi mag-isa ang nasa may gawing ito at lahat ng iba naming kasama ay nandoon sa patio ng wooden cabin, may ibang nag iihaw, may nagluluto, may nagbabasa, may nag phophone, at may...
Aish!
"Leave me alone, Alliyah. I want to be alone."
Kanina pa kasi ako wala sa mood simula noong... Noong nangyari kanina.
I thought the kiss was somehow okay, I thought it was fine, I thought it wasn't a big deal.
BUT DAMN IT!
----
"I... I'm..." Hindi matapos tapos kong sambit nang bumitaw na ang mga labi namin. She was just blankly looking at me so I find the need to talk and tell something.
I was about to say a word when she-
*Pak!
Agad nagsiliparan papalayo ang mga ibon na kasalukuyang malapit saamin nang marining ang malakas na sampal na iyon sakin ni Eleanor.
I gasp and immediately held my cheeks feeling a pang of pain, not only in my face but in my heart, in my heart I felt a sting.
"Why did you-?!" Hindi na natapos ang pag tanong ko nang makarinig kami ng kotse at busina sa aking likuran.
Her sharp piercing gaze went to the car of Eugine and she pushed me so she could go down from my motorcycle and into the car.
I was left in shambles and shock I couldn't react so quickly.
Nanatili akong hawak ang aking pisngi habang naka tulala sa babaeng ngayon ay nasa kotse na ng pinsan ko.
She wasn't looking in my direction, nakatulala ito sa may gilid na bintana at mukhang stress. I saw how her jaw clenched. She rested her elbow on the side window and started softly biting her knuckles looking frustrated and annoyed. Due to her pale skin, her red cheeks and ears were so obvious, I don't know if it's because of her allergies or if it's because of how angry she is.
My cousin also looked so shocked and confused, bumaba ito matapos hindi pansinin ni Eleanor ang pag-tanong niya. She checked on me asking what happened but I was too dumbfounded to answer her millions of questions.
Ang nasabi ko nalang ay, "Let's just go, Eugine. Go back to your car. Make sure to lower your AC, lalamigin yon. Magkakasakit. Also, make her drink the Antihistamine I told you to buy. Thanks, I owe you one."
Umupo na ako sa aking motorsiklo at nag helmet, agad ko itong inistart at nauna na, iniwan ko na sila doon.
Pucha.
----
"Seriously Zen, what happened?" Muling pagtatanong ni Alliyah.
I hissed. "Wala ka na don. Wala na kayo don."
Nang matapos kong gawin ang bonfire, agad akong umayos nang tayo at kinuha ang camping bag na nasa lapag. Kahit kasi may cabin naman ay mas gusto kong mag tent, may mga sa cabin at doon matutulog pero mayroon ding mas gustong mag tent at isa ako doon.
Bukod pa don, paniguradong sa Cabin yung magaling na Eleanor, dahil masyado siyang maarte para mag tent. Kaya ako na ang mag kukusang umiwas at hayaan nalang muna siya.
Ignoring challenge pala ah. Sige.
Iiwan ko na sana si Alliyah sa may bonfire nang hitakin ako nito at pinaupo sa katabi niyang camping chair.
"Stop dragging me!" Inis kong suway at inalis ang pagkahawak niya sa braso ko.
Umayos ako nang upo at inayos ko ang nagulo kong damit dahil sa pag hatak niya.
She chuckled, "Bleh! That's what you get if you keep on ignoring me!" Mula sa mapang-asar na mukhang ay naging malungkot ito at nag pout.
"We haven't seen each other for what? 2 years and this is how you treat me?"
I sighed realizing she has a point and I felt guilty. "I'm sorry... It's just... I'm just..."
I blew air feeling frustrated ni hindi ko matapos ang sasabihin ko.
"Basta I'm not in my best state right now, you don't deserve my treatment."
She gently held my back patting in as if she was comforting me. "Wifey problems?" She teasingly asked.
I rolled my eyes. "Wifey in papers problems." Pagbabago ko ng tawag.
Inalis niya ang pagkahawak sa aking likod at tumawa. Inis ko siyang tinignan kaya't tumigil ito at kinuha nalang niya ang cellphone niya, mukhang may ipapakita.
"Come closer!" She whispered shouting as if she'll show me something really important.
"What is it?"
She gave me a wicked smile. "So... While we were waiting for y'all to come here since we came here first, I tried searching your wife in papers- Let's just call her 'Ellie'- social media accounts."
"Oh...? She has one?"
Tila isang malaking katangahan ang tanong ko sakanya dahil sa tingin na ibinigay niya sakin. Mukha siyang disappointed at inis dahil sa tingin niya.
"You seriously don't know the social media accounts of your wife?" She said as if I was so stupid.
"Uh... Yes...?" Napakamot ako sa batok.
Oo nga ang tanga.
May pa dark web dark web pa kami ni Pyke sa paghahanap ng kung anong information eh may socmed nga pala.
Hindi eh, siguro alam nadin toh ni Pyke, ako nalang talaga hindi.
"You're indeed so clueless." She shook her head.
Oo, talaga.
Nagpipindot siya doon sa cellphone niya purple at nang matapos ay agas itong pinaling sa gawi ko.
Tinignan ko ang cellphone niya at halos mapatayo sa gulat!
Ang daming followers para sa isang president ng University ah! What the hell?! Siya ba talaga toh?
I mean kasi ineexpect ko naman na marami talaga siyang followers, she's quite famous yes, but I was expecting more of a 10k followers like 5 digits or something but never six digits.
@leanormaevis
Enfin, te voilà.
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Ano bang meron sakanya? Model ba siya? Artista? Ano?
'Di hamak na mas marami namang followers si Alliyah dahil isa siyang supermodel kaya't hindi big deal sakanya toh at hindi na bago. Meron nga ata siyang 10M plus na followers eh.
Pero para kasi sakin, hindi ko ineexpect, akala ko kasi normal na tao lang talaga si Eleanor, oo nga't sikat siya sa University lahat kilala siya pero hindi ko alam na ganito yung extent ng kasikatan niya sa social media.
"How is she famous?" I asked. "Is she a model? Influencer?"
Alliyah chuckled and shrugged. "I honestly don't know, but her account is very much aesthetically pleasing."
Pinakita niya sakin ang mga post ni Eleanor, napanganga nalang ako sa iba. "She posts herself often but she doesn't show her face entirely which adds mystery and thrill. That's probably why many people are piqued by her."
Mas lalo kong tinignan ang mga posts niya at totoo ngang hindi ito nagpapakita ng buong mukha, madalas naka talikod ito o naka side.
Only her blonde hair and her Goddess like figure is shown.
And damn... Wala pang mukha yan pero alam mong sobrang ganda, sobra dami ring likers at comments. Sus paano pa kaya pag nag high-key posts na siya?
Pinindot ni Alliyah ang Translation noong bio ni Eleanor, making me understand the text more. I understand french but only a little kaya I didn't know what her whole bio meant.
@leanormaevis
Finally, you're here.
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A small smile krept into my lips when I read it. Wala lang, ang galing niya pumili nang bio. Parang may pinapatamaan, kaya siguro naaakit mga tao sakanya, lahat magiging delulu.
Nahiya din ang account ko, paano kasi ang akin pang gago lang talaga. I just made that account to not be left out by some trends, and... well... I wanted to see some model pics pack then, also my k-pop idols.
Ang profile ko nga sa account ko ay isang picture ni Portgas D. Ace ng One piece eh. Habang siya ay isang hot picture na nakatalikod.
Bio ko rin ay panggago lang.
"Bio-T" which when I read is like "Bayot" or Gay.
I randomly laughed because of my thoughts making Alliyah look at me as if I was crazy.
Ang finofollow ko lang din sa account ko ay mga kabanda ko na sila Pyke at ang nag-iisang babae; ang secret dump account ni Alliyah.
@jellyacezen
Bio-T
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See the difference?
Habang ang kanya ay sobrang aesthetic at eye-pleasing, ang akin naman ay parang nilalangaw at gawa lang ng isang elementary student.
"Oh look! She has a new post! Few seconds ago!"
Habang natulala na ako sa mga pinag-iisip ko ay bigla ulit akong hinitak sa damit ni Alliyah na para bang may gusto ulit ipakita sa phone niya.
"What?"
Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa most recent post ni Eleanor. It was just few seconds ago, it was the pictures she took a while ago...
The pictures at the place I took her. The place I kissed her.
The post consists of four pictures.
First, was just a picture of the sunrise, naalala ko yon dahil iyon ang pinakita niya sa akin kanina mula sa camera niya. The second was a picture of the Cabin they are currently on. Napa tingin tuloy ako sa gawi nila kung saan nagtatawanan sila doon ni Eugine.
Inis kong binaling nalang ulit ang tingin sa cellphone ni Alliyah at swinipe upang makita ang susunod. Third was a picture of the forest and the lake currently infont of us. Nasa isang Alcazar property kami na malapit sa Manila, a private camping sight.
Back in the days madalas talaga kaming mag pipinsan dito, lalo na tuwing holidays at pare-pareho kaming mga walang magulang na kasama sa bahay dahil busy lahat.
I swiped for the last time. Then there was the last picture, I almost gasp when I saw it.
"Fuck." I muttered as a whisper because I felt my heart jump all of a sudden.
"Why?" Alliyah worriedly asked as I cover my mouth in shocked.
Hindi ko siya sinagot at muling pinagmasdan ang litrato.
It was the picture I took for her!
She was facing back at the camera and only her curved body was seen in the lenses, against the light kaya't tila itim na silhouette niya lang ang nakikita.
I slowly looked down at her caption once again. Napa kunot ang noo ko habang pinag mamasdan ito.
It was an emoji of a moon. A dark moon. 🌑
Napansin din ni Alliyah ang napapansin ko na tila ba mayroon telepathy sa aming dalawa.
"Well, that's strange... These are pictures that highlights the sunrise. Bakit moon ang caption?"
Kinuha niya ang cellphone niya mula sa akin na tila ba may ineembestigahan. She kept on scrolling Eleanor's past posts and even the comment sections.
Matapos ang ilang minuto ay tumigil siya na tila ba may napagtanto.
She gasped making me more intrigued. "This is really really strange!"
Muli niya akong hinila upang mas mapalapit sakanya at sabay kaming tumingin sa kanyang cellphone.
"See these? All of her past posts has a repeating pattern of captions. She never uses emojis as her captions! She uses french quotes! Bakit biglang emoji at bakit moon pa talaga?"
"Zen, hindi naman sa ginagawa kitang delusional, pero... Selene, means Goddess of moon right?!"
She wiggled my shoulders as if she was also so shocked and intrigued by what we had discovered.
Pero nagulat ako nang ang pag wiggle at naging malakas na palo sa aking braso na tila naiinis siya. "Ouch woman! What was that for?!"
She ignored my hurt. "Selene Aizen Alcazar! What did you do to make this woman suddenly caption a corny emoji on her aesthetically pleasing feed?!"
"I don't know!" Inis kong singhal at saglit na kinuha ang cellphone niya para patayin at ilock. "Let's stop this delulunes! Hindi ako ang dahilan niyan."
Tumayo na ako in attempt to start building my tent quietly, but the damn Alliyah kept on following me.
"What happened ba kasi! Come on Zeeennnn. Tell me please! Please please please! Look I'm so intrigued by your story with her! I kinda ship you two now!"
Inis ko siyang tinignan habang naka squat ako at inaayos ang base ng tent.
"Pwede ba Alli? Ayaw niya sakin okay? Straight yon. May boyfriend nga ata. Love pa tawagan nila." I coldly said.
Binalingan kong muli si Eleanor na ngayon ay naka tayo at kasama parin si Eugine!
Ugh that ugly witch vice president!
They look like they are planning to fish since Eugine got a fishing rod on her hand. Kasama naman ata nila sila Stephanie at Kezaiah making me feel a bit relief.
Pero kahit na! Ako dapat yon. Sakin sana siya dapat laging naka dikit dahil ako ang nagpasama sakanya dito.
Pero hindi! Ni hindi nga niya ko pinapansin! Akala ko okay kami! Nagkaroon ako ng kaunting pag-asa dahil hindi niya ko tinulak nung hinalikan ko siya eh! Pero mali pala! Fuck damn it!
"Boyfriend? Then what does her caption even mean?"
"Wala nga! So stop making none sense stories over a single caption."
Mag sasalita pa sana ulit si Alliyah nang mag ring ang cellphone ko. Panandalian akong natigil sa ginagawang tent nang makita na si Mom ang tumatawag.
Sa kanila ko kasi iniwan si Snowflake dahil wala namang magiging tao sa bahay. She's probably calling to check on us, and also to assure that my cute dog is fine.
Nang matapos ang call namin ni Mom ay sumunod naman si Pyke, dapat hindi ko sasagutin dahil tinawag na ako ni Alliyah para daw mag breakfast pero baka tungkol sa investigation ni Eleanor ito kaya't sinabi kong mauna na sila at mamaya na ko.
"What is it?" Bungad ko.
"Her father is also an only child, which means that your wife is the successor of every property or whatever wealth they're hiding. Nag-iisang heiress siya."
"Your point is?" I mean okay, it is a big deal knowing siya lang pala talaga ang nag-iisang tigapagmana nang kung anong yaman man ang mayroon ang pamilya nila. But I still don't see the point.
"Ang tanga naman ng pamilya nila para ipakasal ang nag-iisang heiress sa isang katulad mo diba? Matagal na nating naisip yon. For sure her father already knows who you are before letting you two get married, Selene..."
"And not only her father but also yours. Mukhang alam talaga ni tito Rafael kung ano ang mga pinaggagagawa mo."
I sighed and started massaging my aching head because of frustration.
"My father is smart, what can I do?"
I heard Pyke blowing out air from the other line. "Kung ano man ang plano ni Tito, isa lang ang main goal niya. Ang kaligtasan mo. He doesn't want to lose any more of his children kaya't mangengealam na talaga siya."
I bit my lip feeling a pang of pain in my chest to what Pyke just said.
"Selene, I am so sure, that this marriage, would either be the end of Zetta Gamma Xi, or the death of your father and everyone involved in your marriage."
I felt a lump in my throat as I speak."How are you so sure Pyke?"
"Tatay mo ang kalaban mo. Papabagsakin niya kung ano ang sa tingin niyang ikapapahamak mo. Kaya't kung ganon, hindi masamang tao ang napangasawa mo. They are part of the government, who are so hungry for us."
Tila nanghihina ako sa sinabi niya kaya't walang lakas akong napaupo sa nalalapit na camping chair.
"The whole frat is in trouble. And damn it Selene but I think you are in a much bigger danger. Pag nalaman toh ni Nicholas, hindi lang ikaw ang mapapatay kaagad, lahat tayo, including that wife of yours and tito."
"That leaves me with no choice then?"
I felt my heart slowly shattering as I came to a huge realization.
Damn it Selene, ang tanga! Sinabing huwag! Sinabing laruin hindi ba?!
Ano tong nararamdaman mo ngayon?
Stop being attached and affected you moron! Maraming buhay ang nakasalalay sayo palagi. Emotions shouldn't be on your way.
"I need to divorce this woman as soon as possible." I coldly muttered with finality.
Paano? Papayag naman siya hindi ba? Yoon nga ang gusto niya.
Maayos ko ito. Dapat talagang matapos na toh. Agad.
I heard Pyke sighed. "You sure do. But better yet, find out who she really is first. Sa napapansin ko ay wala din kaalam-alam ang misis mo."
Dahil sa sinabi ay panandalian akong nalingon sa gawi ni Eleanor. She's currently eating with my cousins, mukhang chill lang siya doon habang kinakausap siya ni Stephanie.
Napaiwas kaagad ako nang tingin nang unti-unti pumaling ang ulo niya sa may gawi ko. Hindi ko na hinintay na mag tama ang mga mata namin.
"Her idiotic father might have been using you and your marriage as a test for his daughter to see if his daughter is ready for whatever's about to come for her."
Pyke laughed as if there was something funny.
"Kaya rin siguro nag president yan at ang main focus ay pagpapatumba ng mga Fraternities sa University ay dahil yon ang ginawang pagsubok ng tatay niya para tignan kung handa na ba ang spoiled na unica ihja sa mga ipapamana."
I clenched my jaw in annoyance about what he said knowing that his conclusions makes total sense.
Total. Fucking. Sense.
"Mukhang ginawa ka atang pang character development Selene." At nagawa pa nga niyang mag-biro at tumawa ng mas malakas.
"Fuck you." I muttered sharply and drop the call.
Nothing is fucking funny.
Nothing.
----------
"Bad mood ka nanaman Bossing!"
Parang mga tangang pinaypayan ako ni Larry at Asher gamit ang mga test papers na hawak habang naglalakad kami papunta sa cafeteria.
Si Larry, "Kalma!"
"Baby Kalma!" Nakisali pa si Aeron, na ngayon ay sumasayaw pa nang kung ano, kagat-labi.
"Shut the fuck up." Inis kong singhal at tinulak papalayo making them groan.
Napa iling nalang samin si Pyke at sinaway narin ang tatlong unggoy.
Naupo na kami sa usual table namin dito habang umorder na ng pagkain namin ang mga gunggong, naiwan kami ni Pyke at nagbasa nalang ako ng reviewers dahil ilang araw na akong hindi nakakapagaral ng matino at paniguradong after sembreak ay exams na.
Hindi ko nga alam paano pa ako nakakapasa eh. Pang 5th year ko na at isang himala na hindi pa ako nababagsak at na kikick out sa program na dapat pang mga pursigidong future doctors lang ang tinatanggap.
"Kuya! Penge!"
Pagkalapag na pagkalapag nila Asher ng pagkain ay biglang may tumabi saakin na babae at dumukot sa inilapag na nacho fries.
"Hera." I greeted as she started munching, mukhang hindi niya ako napansin.
Tila na tigil siya sa pag-nguya at nabaling ang tingin sakin.
Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata niya na tila ba nagulat. Nginitian ko nalang ito at marahan na tinulak pa sa gawi niya ang fries.
Napalunok siya habang gulat parin ang tingin.
"H-hi..." She mumbled.
I continued smiling and nod.
Tinawag siya ni Pyke kaya't napatingin kami dito. Tumayo narin ako dahil may plano akong sa haven park mag-aral.
"Oy! San ka pupunta master?" Tanong ni Asher habang lahat sila ay sa akin na nakatingin.
Binitbit ko ang strawberry cake na binili nila para sa akin at ang iced coffee. Puno lahat ng aking braso at kamay habang humihigop ako doon sa straw. Nang makainom ako taska ko lang sila sinagot.
"Mag-aaral. Sa may Haven lane lang." Then I shrugged turning myself away.
Humabol pa ng sigaw si Pyke. "Important gig mamaya ah! Bawal ma late!"
Hindi na ako lumingon muli. I just lifted my hand that's holding an iced coffee as a sign that I heard him.
Tahimik akong naglakad papunta sa Haven lane, isa sa mga park ng university. Dito talaga ako nag-aaral tuwing alam kong malapit na akong
bumagsak.
Painis akong naupo sa bench na napapalibutan ng puno kaya't wala ni isang init ng araw ang ramdam. Sa kabilang side rin kasi ng building sumisikat ang araw sa mga oras na ito. Malakas din ang simoy ng hangin kaya't alam kong hindi ako pagpapawisan dito.
Kung pwedeng matulog na nga lang eh!
Linapag ko sa aking tabi ang mga pagkain at ginamit pang ipit sa ibang reviewers ko ang kahon noong strawberry cake.
"Babesiosis." I pronunced the said disease. "Pffft."
Binasa ko ang description nito making me chuckle for real. It was an infection from some parasites.
Hmmm I'll surely remember this one. Babesiosis. Parasite infection in the red blood cells.
If you all are wondering, It's Monday. Kahapon pa kami nakauwi from that nightmare camping trip. Buong period kaming hindi nag papansinan nung isa. Akala niya kakausapin ko siya? No. No. And Nope. I am still hurt by everything.
Galit ako sakanya, at sa tatay niya but I can't act upon it muna. I can't dahil hindi ko pa sila tunay na kilala at kung ano ang kapangyarihang hawak nila.
But, I always win when it comes to ignoring games and that woman isn't an exception for my win streak.
Nilagnat nga yon pag-uwi namin eh, yoon ang alam ko. Nagulat nalang ako kasi may kumakatok sa pinto ng bahay namin saying she's Eleanor's personal nurse.
Ang pangalan niya daw ay Felicity. Cinonfirm ko muna kay Tito Dominic kung totoong nurse ba ito dahil baka mamaya siya na pala ang mang hohostage sa isang gang Lord na katulad ko.
Siya nga daw ang nagpadala ng nurse dahil nag text ang mahusay na anak niya na may lagnat daw siya.
Ang ganda ng personal Nurse ni Eleanor by the way. Hindi ko ito sinasabi dahil crush ko, sinasabi ko ito kasi maganda talaga siya. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nag nurse siya imbes na artista. I'm not attracted to her though, I just want to appreciate beauty.
Hindi ko rin alam kung pumasok ba si Eleanor ngayon dahil maaga akong umalis ng bahay at iniwan sila doon ng nurse niya. Baka hindi, sa pagkakaalam ko mataas lagnat niya noong gabi eh.
Damn it.
Part of me wanted to stand up right now and go straight home just to check if she's okay.
Damn you, Selene! Shut the hell up and study.
Muli akong nag focus sa binabasa,
Babesiosis.
Argh! Damn babesiois parasite!
I blew out air in frustration, throwing my reviewers away.
Tumayo ako not knowing what to do.
Gusto ko talagang umuwi!
Pero baka pumasok naman yon, madami pa siyang gagawin dito.
Pero—
"Inis." I muttered getting all of my things before going to the SC Office.
Bakit ako pupunta doon?
Pake niyo ba?
Pero bago pa man ako makapunta ay saktong pag bukas noong pinto at nakita ko ang paglabas ni Chelsey na tila ba nag papanic.
Agad akong kinabahan at lumapit sakanya.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
Tila nakakita ito ng knight in shining armor nang kuminang ang kanyang mga mata.
"What's the matter?" I asked once more.
Nang makabawi ay nagsalita na ito. "You're a medical student right?"
I nodded immediately.
"I need your help! Our President too!" She said looking panicked at tila may hinahanap.
Hindi ko alam bakit ganyan siya ka panic kaya't nanatili akong kalmado kahit nag-aalala na rin ako.
Fuck so pumasok nga ang magaling na presidente?!
Bakit ba pumasok pa siya?!
"You should call nurse." I said calmly then checked the opened door of their office.
Pumasok ako sa office ngunit natagpuan ko itong walang tao.
Huh? Nasaan yon?
"She's at the dormitory!"
Nagulat ako nang biglang hinila ni Chelsey ang damit ko making me drop some of the reviewers I was holding.
Agad ko iyong pinulot bago sumunod sakanya na mukhang hanggang ngayon ay hindi alam ang gagawin.
"Ha? Why is she there?" Taka kong tanong habang nagpapahila sakanya.
Hindi ko kasi alam saan ba yung sinasabi niyang dormitory!
Hinila niya ako hangga't makapunta kami sa likod ng main building. Namangha ako dahil ngayon ko lang nalaman na mayroong dormitory dito. And damn ang ganda!
There I saw another high white building that has the school's crest. It was connected to the main building by a bridge like structure that was closed kaya't mukhang hallway ito sa loob.
Pag pasok namin doon ay sobrang linis at airy ng paligid. It was full of windows. At tanaw ang mga puno sa back garden ng university.
Mayroong mga labels sa bawat hallway. It was the names of certain sports or extracurricular activities.
I'm guessing this is the privileged dormitory for athletes at iba pang mga pang laban ng University sa mga contests. And hell ang ganda!
Mukhang hotel imbes na dorm. Nahiya ang dormitory ng mga scholars ah.
"The main nurse is gone because she's in a trip with the architecture students. Yung others naman, lunch break and I can't find them." Chelsey explained nang matanaw na namin ang label na, JHU Pep Squad.
I felt my heart pumping loud when Chelsey reached a certain door. Ngunit bago ito pihitin ni Chelsey ay huminto siya at tumingin sa akin.
Seryoso ang tinign na tila ba hindi siya nagbibiro, malayo sa Chelsey na lowkey nilalandi ako paminsan-minsan.
Now she looks like a proper student council officer who cares about her best friend and captain.
"This is the Cheer captain's slash President's room. Look, Eleanor may be very strict and bossy, but she needs proper care right now so I have no choice but to bring someone in here without her permission. She may throw a slight tantrum because of it."
She seriously said as if she was warning me to whatever's about to happen.
I gulped and just nodded. Hindi naman ako doon kinakabahan eh! Hindi naman ako takot sa tantrums niya, takot ako na...
Baka hanggang ngayon hindi parin niya ako pinapansin. Medyo, medyo lang, medyo masakit kasi.
Humabol pa siya, "This is her most private and precious place in this University so please, don't make any mess, or touch anything that isn't necessarily needed."
She finally twisted the door knob.
"Gets?" She assured before opening the door.
I nodded and gave a small smile. "Gets."
Tuluyan na niyang ibinukas ang pinto. I was expecting a loud shout of tantrums from the spoiled President or a throwing of pillow on our faces but I was wrong.
Natagpuan namin itong mahimbing na natutulog habang yakap yakap ang isang malaking stuff toy na halos kasing tangkad na ng isang toddler.
It was a pink stuff animal of a pig. The pig also wears a cute hood that looks so fluffy.
Nakasuot pa ng formal attire si Eleanor, she was wearing a silky white long sleeved blouse that was tucked inside her black above the knee skirt that has risen mo up a little because she was laying down. Mayroon ding blazer na hula ko ay naihubad niya pa bago matulog.
Mukha siyang galing sa isang defense dahil sa suot niya. Si Chelsey din ay halos ganito ang suot.
Teka, kaya ba napilitan siyang pumasok?
"Shoot!" Chelsey whispered shouting.
Napatingin tuloy ako sakanya at nakitang nakatingin siya sa kanyang suot na relo.
Agad niya akong nilapitan at hinawakan sa braso.
"I'm sorry Selene, but I really really need to go now since we have an on going project and I just need someone to look after Eleanor just to make sure she's fine. She almost collapsed after their presentation that's why I—"
I cut her off dahil alam kong nag mamadali na siya. "There's no need to explain. It's really all good Chelsey. I can handle this. Focus on what you will be doing. Ako na ang bahala sa President natin."
Tinanggal ko na ang nakahawak niyang kamay sa aking braso na tila isang sign para tuluyan na siyang umalis dahil baka malate pa siya.
Muling tinignan ni Chelsey ang kaibigan na tila ba nagdadalawang isip pa kung aalis nga ba siya.
I chuckled and calmly said, "Trust me will you? I will take care of your best friend. I promise."
Syempre aalagaan ko yan.
Kahit galit ako, kahit hindi niya ako pinapansin, kahit sinampal niya ako, kahit iniwan niya ako sa ere, at kahit sino man siya, kasabwat man siya ng tatay ko na patumbahin ang pinakaminamahal kong fraternity, wala akong choice kung hindi alagaan siya.
Asawa ko parin naman yan. Kahit ganyan yan, kahit ganito yung sitwasyon namin sa ngayon.
Tska ko na hindi aalagaan pag divorce na kami!
When assured that I will take good care of their mighty Cheer Captain slash President, Chelsey went away, leaving me and a peacefully sleeping woman inside a now super quiet dormitory room.
Pinatong ko ang mga hawak kong reviewers at ang isang strawberry cake sa malapit na study desk.
The room has the right amount of space, hindi ito sobrang magarbo o sobrang laki pero compared sa mga ibang dorm, ang swerte naman ni Eleanor dahil ang ganda ng sakanya. At swerte dahil solo niya ang kwarto.
Saglit akong lumibot, only to find out that her room was actually just connected by a door to the real Pep Squad's dormitory room.
There were about five bunk beds that could fit all women cheerleaders. Magkaiba ang kwarto ng lalaki sa babae kaya't paniguradong puro babae ang nandito. There was also a mini kitchen that has a mini fridge. Mayroon ding mga desks sa gilid at nakatabi sa bintana.
Bumalik ako sa side ng solo na kwarto ni Eleanor. I watched her sleeping looking so innocent.
You really are spoiled huh?
Even in your Pep Squad, may sarili ka pang kwarto habang sila naka bunk beds doon sa kabila!
Eleanor Maeve, you lucky woman.
A smile formed in my lips as I shook my head in amusement.
Hindi naka bukas ang aircon niya kaya't medyo naiinitan ako. I opened some of her room's large windows at agad na pumasok ang malakas na simoy ng hangin. Ang ganda rin ng view dito dahil puro puno at tanaw ang football field.
Tahimik ang bawat galaw ko upang hindi siya magising. Sandali akong bumalik sa kabilang kwarto at kumuha ng mangkok, nilagyan ito ng tubig na may yelo.
I have no other choice but to use my clean and unused handkerchief for her cold compress. So I folded it and put it in the bowl filled with cold water.
Bumalik ako at saktong gumalaw siya para tumagilid paharap sa side ko, yakap parin niya yung baboy niyang may hood.
I grabbed the swivel chair near her study desk at doon umupo sa may harapan niya. Mahimbing talaga ang tulog niya at halata sa kanyang mata na may sakit siya. Malamlam kasi ang mga ito.
Annoyed, I put my phone on Do not Disturb since many people were texting me, mostly my blockmates. May klase pa kasi kami na kailangan kong puntahan dahil sa quizzes pero fuck all of those.
Nagpatuloy ako sa ginagawa, I twisted the handkerchief to lessen the moisture inside of it, just enough to use for a compress. Dahan-dahan ko itong idinantay sa kanyang mainit na noo at panandalian iniwan doon.
Damn it mukhang matataalo ulit ako ah.
Ignoring game ang laro namin nitong mga nakaraang araw, but look at me now! Skipping important classes just to take care of this woman.
Talo nanaman ako.
Nasaan na ba kasi yung magandang nurse niya nayon?
I was stopped with my thoughts when Eleanor moved once again. But this time, her eyes opened.
Shit.
I felt my chest thump when our eyes met.
Her sleepy eyes slightly widened but after a while she frowned when she felt the cold thing on her forehead. Tinanggal niya ang pagkayakap sa baboy.
She was about to remove the handkerchief, so I talked.
"Don't." I said coldly.
She stopped and simply gaze at me again. Muli siyang yumakap sa baboy niya habang minamata ako. She was still frowning as if she was so confused.
Suddenly, her once in a blue moon soft voice lingered in her dormitory.
"Are you real?"
Tila mayroong nagbago sa puso ko dahil sa mahinang bulong niya na iyon.
Her cheeks were kind of squashed by the way she was hugging her stuffed animal, naka dantay na rin ang isa niyang hita rito na tila ba ayaw niyang mawalay don sa yakap niya.
She lightly poked my knee that was near her as if she was making sure that I was a real person.
Her eyes widened when she realizes I am indeed true. Ngunit pagkatapos ng ilang segundo ay nagbalik ito sa pagiging walang emosyon.
Galing mag control ng mata ah. Malamlam na nga't lahat nagawa pa niya yon.
"What are you doing here?" She ask now in a strict manner pero malat ang boses niya at tila nahihirapan din siyang magsalita.
I simply shrugged ignoring her question before I got the handkerchief on her forehead. I damped it again on the cold bowl and twited it.
Pansin ko ang panonood niya sa bawat galaw ko at bantay sarado sa akin.
Hindi ko iyon pinansin at hinawakan na lamang ang naka yakap niyang kamay sa baboy. I wrapped the cold handkerchief on her wrist this time.
Akala ko ay aangal siya sa ginawa ko dahil sa masama niyang tingin ngunit tila masyado na siyang nanghihina at walang boses para awayin pa ako.
"Chelsey brought me here. There's no available nurse, and I'm the best option to look after you, I'm a med student." I explained.
Baka kasi mamaya iniisip niya stalker ako o masyado akong may pakielam kung kamusta siya.
Her sharp eyes suddenly became weak as if she gives up from acting so strong and bossy right at this moment.
She sighed, closing her eyes while eyebrows were together as if her head hurts really bad.
Ako ang may kasalanan bakit may lagnat siya ngayon.
So...
"Look, I know we're not in good terms right now but let's quit with our childish play just for today. I want to take care of you in the best way possible, and I can't do that if both of us will be prideful and egoistic."
Napansin ako ang mas lalong pamumula ng kanyang buong mukha. She nibbles her lip, her eyes still shut as if she was thinking about something.
Then she finally opens her eyes looking at me like she was a lost puppy.
"I'm so cold, m-my head is spinning, and my t-throat is killing me..."
She pouted while she looks helpless, she even pulled the hem of my shirt lightly as if she really was desperate for care.
I gulped not expecting that to happen.
Ang... Pucha... Ang cute...
Don't get attached you idiot! Selene Aizen Alcazar! Wake up!
Tama kana. Mag didivorce na din kayo as soon as possible remember? Ginagawan na ng paraan ni Pyke remember?
Now stop with you being attracted to this woman who's a total stranger understand?!
Ngunit tila nawala ng parang bula ang lahat ng panenermon ko sa sarili nang muling magsalita ang magandang presidente.
"Do something about it... Can you, Doc?" She sweetly mumbled as she wraps herself with her pink comforter.
Now only her head was popping out dahil balot na balot na siya.
Muli siyang pumikit at tila nanginginig pa sa lamig. She hugs her pig very tight as if she was seeking for a sense of warmth.
I got the handkerchief on her wrist and put it in the bowl, soaking it again with water. Iniwan ko muna ito saglit doon.
"Ofcourse your Doc, can. Have you eaten?" I softly said while feeling her temperature by her neck.
I mentally hissed when I felt how hot she was. Mataas ang lagnat niya.
She shook her head. Making me more mentally annoyed.
I don't know if I'm annoyed by her or I'm annoyed with myself for not taking care of her in the first place.
I sighed and did her cold compress, but this time I placed it on the back of her neck. She slightly flinched but got used to it anyway.
"Bakit pumasok ka pa?" Mahina kong sabi at inayos ang hibla ng buhok niya na humaharang sa maganda niyang mukha.
She opens her eyes again giving me a sad look. "We have a defense kasi..."
"Is it finished?"
She nodded slowly.
Malambing kong hinimas-himas ang kanyang noo papunta sa kanyang buhok. Like I was petting Snowflake but this time it was her.
Dahil doon ay muling siyang pumikit na tila ba nagustuhan ang ginagawa ko.
"Pwede na tayo umuwi? Uwi na kita."
She immediately shook her head disagreeing with me. "No. Ayaw ko."
Nagbago bigla ang timpla niya.
I frowned. Bakit naman ayaw niya eh mas magiging kumportable nga siya doon?
"Why not? It's way more comft—"
Natigil ako sa pagsasalita nang dumilat ito at binigyan ako ng sobrang sama na tingin.
She hissed and made me stop petting her head. She threw it away not wanting me to touch her now.
I was more confused by her actions when she moved her stuffed animal to the other side following by her facing the other side of the bed aswell. Now I can't see her face anymore.
Padabog din siyang nagtalukbong ng tuluyan sa kumot at tanging tuktok na lamang ng buhok niya ang kita.
"You'll just leave me in my room again and let our nurse do the nursing job." She bitterly said like a sulking kid.
Hindi ko pa halos narinig ang sinabi dahil sa kumot na naka harang sa buong katawan niya.
Mukha tuloy siyang isang malaking pink hotdog dahil sa pagkabalot niya. I erased my mischievous thoughts and thought of what I should do next.
Mukha kasing nagtatampo siya, mahirap na pag galit sa akin ang pasyente ko.
"Because you were ignoring me. You're the one who started the ignoring game, I thought you wanted space." Pagrereklamo ko ngunit gamit parin ang malambing na boses.
Hindi na niya ko muling sinagot.
Akala ko ay nakatulog siya ngunit nagulat ako noong may narinig akong singhot at para bang hikbi matapos ang ilang minutong katahimikan!
Anak nang?!
"A-are you c-crying?" I said not being sure if I heard it right.
Hindi ulit niya ako sinagot ngunit nang wala akong gawin ay mas lalong lumakas ang pag-iyak at pag hikbi niya.
My heart softned.
I stood up as I hear her muffles.
"Hey..." Unti-unti kong inalis ang pagtalukbong niya sa kumot.
Her prescious face is now full of tears, namumula ang kanyang pingi habang nakapikit lamang siya at umiiyak.
Siniksik pa niya ang kanyang ulo sa baboy niyang yakap, para bang ayaw ipakita ang mukha sa akin. Tinago niya ito gamit ang baboy.
Kainis na baboy yan! Namimihasa na sa yakap niya ah.
Umupo ako sa kama at marahan na inalis ang bimpong ngayon ay nahulog na mula sa kanyang batok.
I put it aside, then I gently laid down beside her.
Rinig ko parin ang pagsinghot niya pero tila ba humina na ito at tumigil siya sa pag-iyak niya dahil naramdaman ang paghiga ko sa kanyang likuran.
I wrapped my arms around the thick comforter that was hugging her body. I felt how she stiffed for a second, but her body softens after as if she felt relieved.
Her sniffles stopped and now all I could hear is my own heart beating so fucking loud.
"Don't cry. What's making you cry? Your head will hurt even more, so don't cry, hon."
Isang mahabang katahimikan nanaman ang namayapa sa amin habang yakap yakap ko siya. I could feel as though she was deeply thinking about something.
Suddenly she moved, humarap na siyang muli sa gawi ko making me see her face again. Mukha siyang bagong iyak at namumula ang kanyang ilong at mata.
She broke our silence with an unexpected question. "Why... why did you kiss me?"
I felt my breathing stopped by what she asked.
But eventually my loud heart answered for me.
"You are so breathtaking. This doctor is starting to mistook your lips as her oxygen."