Chasing Forest [EDITING]

Kabanata 28

Forest's POV

"Sage! I need your help!" 

"Ugh. Fuck off," I groaned, shoving my pillows into the sides of my head.

"I'll open the door!" I attempted to keep my cool as the sound of his footsteps grew louder. "Good morning," he said innocently as if he hadn't just woken me up. Istorbo, damn.

"There's nothing good in this morning. What the hell do you want?" I hoisted myself up, making sure he sees my scowl. It's not every day that he requests my help and even goes as far as interrupting my sleep. This better be important.

"Sungit."

Lalo akong napabusangot sa tinawag niya sa'kin. 

"Geez. Para kang lioness sa itsura mo. Calm down." He sat on the opposite side of my bed. He seems fresh from the shower; his hair was neatly brushed up, no trace of any wrinkle in the shirt, and he smells of his heady perfume. 

I pursed my lips as the scent invaded my nostrils. Sobrang tapang talaga ng amoy kahit kailan.

I just sat there staring at him. Perhaps the saying 'Magbiro ka na sa lasing, huwag lang sa bagong gising' is coursing through my veins right now.

"Fine, I'm sorry for interfering with your precious sleep," he started, rubbing his hands together. "But I desperately needed your help." His eyes were frightened it worried me a little.

"What is this all about?"

"Do you remember Marco?" he asked. 

I shook my head. Malay ko ba sa circle of friends niya. He's a social butterfly, and I ain't a logbook who could check their names one by one. 

"He's in the hospital right now, had a minor accident while driving last night..."

"And?" Naiinip kong tugon.

He leaned forward, using his knees as support. Pinagsaklop niya ang mga kamay niya bago ako lingunin. "You see, he's been courting this girl in our batch..."

I waited for him to finish his story. Gusto ko na agad tapusin kung anumang kailangan, I still have to study after. Pero sa ginagawa niya, lalo kaming magtatagal. Ang daming commercial!

"And... her birthday is coming up this Monday."

"Just get straight to the point, ang dami mong stopover," I demanded.

He snickered despite his problem, "He asked me to buy a gift for her."

"And I'm guessing, inako mo 'yung responsibility," I remarked casually. I know this guy so well that he can't even stand there and watch someone struggle. He always ends up assisting them, even when he has no idea what to do.