Gunita ng Kahapon

7

       

        Kabanata 7: Librarian

"Why don't you take a rest?"

Napatigil ako sa pagsubo ng biscuit. It's already 9 p.m. Nandito pa rin kami ni Golden sa ospital pero kanina umuwi siya para magbihis. I brought an extra shirt and shorts so I also changed earlier but I didn't go home. I just went inside the restroom and stripped off.

The nurse just checked Ate Richelle's vital signs ten minutes ago. Nandito kami ngayon sa kwarto niya, kumakain. Kanina pa ako nagugutom kaya bumili muna ako ng dinner sa fast-food chain na katabi lang ng ospital.
But of course, may kasama akong mga bodyguards. Bilin kasi ni Kuya Otis. Nag-hoodie rin ako, cap at mask para walang may makakakilala sa akin.

"Uh, no. How about you?" Tanong ko pabalik sa kanya. Ang arte pa naman ng babaeng 'to! Palagi na lang nagrereklamo. "You're tired, I can read it on your face."

I sighed and shook my head twice before opening my phone. I checked my instagram and twitter before closing it again. The incident is still all over social media. Napalitan na nga ang issue ng pagiging dance wrecker ko, ang nangyaring ambush naman ang naging main headline. Sumasakit na ang ulo ko sa totoo lang at malapit na ako mamatay, emotionally.

"I'm tired? Yes, Ally. But I'll never go home and leave you here alone. You know I love you right? Hmm, cupcake sweetie pie?" tumawa siya na parang baliw. This time hindi ako umirap dahil parang sumasakit ang mata ko kapag ginagawa ko 'yon. Instead, I grabbed the empty paper cup and throw it on her face.

"I'm not a trash can you, b*tch! And how f*cking dare you do that godd*amn thing to me!" I mocked her and made face.

"Sleep now, Golden. Ipahinga mo na 'yang bibig mo," sabi ko habang kinukuha ang power bank sa bag. Low batt na 'yong phone ko. "Bakit ba pinauwi ka dito ni Tita Silveria? Okay ka naman 'ata doon sa Sweden. Countryside? It would be nice living there."

"Uh-huh. Fresh air, midnight sun, the trees and the chilly winter! Ganda kaya doon! Plus northern lights!" She sighed, like she remembered something. "Bakit nga kaya ako pumayag umuwi dito, 'no?"

"Aba gamitin mo utak mo! Ako pa tinatanong mo eh hindi ko naman buhay ang buhay mo," pambabara ko sa kanya. "Puro na lang kasi kahalayan 'yang nasa isipan mo! Naku, Golden! Anong average grade mo this semester? Nag-aaral ka pa ba doon ng maayos sa Sweden? Siguro wala, 'no?! Kaya ka pinapagalitan—!"

"Shut up! Why the hell did you say that?!" She fired back. "I'm trying my best now to use my mind. People always insult me about that! Hindi ko akalaing pati ikaw iinsultuhin mo na rin ako dahil isa akong b*bo!"

"What?! I'm not insulting you, Golden! I'm just pointing out that because of your filthy mouth, you're not just ruining your study but the dignity of your family! Alam mo ba 'yon, ha? Lalaki kasi inuuna mo!" Hindi ko na mapreno pa ang bibig ko at kung anu-ano na lang ang pinagsasabi.

"You know nothing about me! Huwag kang magmarunong na kilala mo na ang buong pagkatao ko!" she stood up and clenched her fist. Anger was evident in her eyes that equals my emotion towards her.

"Okay let's just stop this nonsense—"

"No! You insulted me, Ally! You're pointing out that I'm stupid!" Golden stepped forward. She was furious that my forehead creased immediately.

"I said I didn't! Would you please be considerate? We're in Ate Richelle's room!" Iginala ko ang paningin habang pinapakalma ang sarili. "Ang dali mo naman magalit ngayon! Ilang beses na kitang sinabihan ng mga masasamang salita but that's just normal for us because we're bestfriends! Bakit ngayon parang naiirita ka na kaagad?!"