The Paintbrush Deal

CHAPTER 23

I must've passed out last night dahil hapon na nang magising ako nang sumunod na araw. Alas-tres na pala pagbaling ko sa alarm clock. Judging from the heavy feeling in my body, mukhang nilagnat pa ako. Nevertheless, I was strong enough to stand on my own. Medyo nagugutom lang talaga ako kaya agad akong bumaba sa kusina.

"Hey, you should've just stayed in the bed," sabi bigla ng boses ni Skyler pagkababa ko ng hagdan. Agad naman niya akong hinawakan sa braso.

"I'm hungry. Alangan naman magtiis ako ng gutom?" sagot ko naman.

"May itinabi akong pagkain para sa 'yo. I'll set the table for you," replied Skyler.

Aalalayan pa sana niya ako pero agad ko namang binawi ang braso ko. Sinundan na lang niya ako hanggang sa nakarating na ako sa mesa. After several minutes, Skyler placed bowls of chicken soup and chop suey in front of me.

"Here's your medicine, too," he added before placing a tablet on the table.

"Thanks," I muttered.

The two of us sat in total silence as I ate the food. Skyler looked like he wanted to say something, but I just ignored him. Sinubukan ko namang alalahanin ang mga nangyari kagabi pero sumasakit lang ang ulo ko.

"What happened last night after you found me?" I asked him.

"You passed out, so I carried you back here. Pinalitan na rin kita ng damit kasi basang-basa ka na—"

My eyes widened.

"I covered you," Skyler added right away. "I didn't see, or do, anything. Medyo mataas din ang lagnat mo kaya pinainom kita ng gamot. You've been unconscious since last night. Tinatawagan ko si Kelly kagabi pero hindi naman siya sumasagot. I was finally able to contact him earlier. Pupunta pa lang siya rito mamaya."

I nodded.

He stared at me for several moments. "Do you feel fine? May masakit ba sa 'yo? Should I bring you to the hospital?" he asked.

"Calm down. I feel fine. I just need to rest this one," sagot ko naman.

"Also, about last night, I'm really sorry for what I said—"

"I don't care—"

"Hear me out first, please," Skyler said.

I waved my hand impatiently.

"Please don't blame yourself for what happened last night. It was all my fault. I should've just told you that there's something important inside that workroom para hindi ka na nagtaka pa. I didn't mean what I said last night. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm sorry for driving you away. Please forgive me," Skyler said.

I sighed. "Pagod na akong makipagtalo. I understand why you're so defensive when it comes to that room. However, sana naman maisip mo na hindi lang ako ang may mga tanong tungkol sa workroom mo. Mismong mga kaibigan at pamilya mo ang nagtataka kung ano ang itinatago mo diyan sa kwarto mo. Akala mo ba hindi sila nag-aalala sa 'yo? Akala mo ba wala silang pakialam sa mga itinatago mo? Ano sa palagay mo ang nararamdaman nila, knowing that their own friend or family member is hiding something from them?"

Skyler just bowed his head low.

"As for me, I couldn't care less about your personal drama, pero sana naman 'wag mo na akong kakaladkarin pa sa mga problema mo. I just want to pay you back for what I did. That's our deal. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't expect me to carry your personal burden for you. You're not my family. You're not my friend. I don't care about you," I added.

Huminga na lang ako nang malalim.

"At kung ayaw mo nang tumira ako rito sa bahay mo, just tell me to leave. Mababayaran ko naman ang utang ko sa 'yo kahit hindi ako nakatira rito. I'd still visit you regularly to do chores. Hindi naman natin kailangang magtiis sa presence ng isa't-isa," sabi ko pa.