Silent Heart

Kabanata 9

Kabanata 9: Again

White ceiling was the first thing I saw, when I open my eyes. I roamed my eyes. I wasn't in the hospital. I saw Jaime deeply sleeping beside me while holding my hand.

"Jaime..." my voice is still weak.

Nasapo ko ang ulo ko nang biglang kumirot. Naalala ko ang nangyari matapos akong iligtas ni Jaime. Mabilis din akong nawalan ng malay dahil muling bumalik sa alaala ko ang ginawang kalokohan ng mga anak ng kaibigan ng parents ko.

Gumalaw ang kaniyang ulo hanggang sa magtama ang mga mata namin. Agad siyang napaayos ng upo.

"What do you feel right now? Ayos ka na ba? Wala bang masakit sa 'yo? You want me to call a doctor?" Aligagang sambit niya kaya bahagya akong natawa. She turned her face in a serious mode. "Stop laughing,"

"Ayos na ako." Sagot ko. Tinaas ko rin ang kamay ko na hawak niya. "Baka pwede mo nang tanggalin?"

She immediately looked away after she let go of my hand. "I thought, I will lose you again." Mahinang sambit nito at nababakas ang pagkapagod. "Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko kapag nawala ka pa ulit sa akin."

"Jaime, look at me." Sinunod naman niya ang sinabi ko. Nakaramdam ako ng kirot nang makitang umiiyak siya. I held her hand. "I will not leave you again. I promise. But, if I do, I will find a way to go back to you."

She wiped her tears. "You're making me a soft crybaby. I hate it, Celestine." Natawa ako sa sinabi niya kaya mas lalo siyang napasimangot. "You made me cry. I hate you."

"You're being childish." I said and she pouted her lips. "I want a hug, Jaime."

"Just hug?" Her eyebrows arched. "Nothing else? Just hug?" Ulit niya. "You know, you're in my room right now. We can have a steamy— aw!" Daing niya nang kurutin ko siya sa kamay. "And, now, you're hurting me."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop being a pervert, Jaime."

She chuckled. "Opo, ma." Sabi niya at niyakap na ako nang mahigpit. I felt her kissed my head. "I will never let go of your string, Celestine." She whispered softly.

"You're cold," sabi ko sabay tapik sa kaniyang likod.

"Shit!" She cursed out. "May lagnat ka pala." Dugtong pa niya bago humiwalay sa akin bago niya nilagyan ng unan ang likod ko para sumandal sa may headboard ng kama niya.

"Did I interrupt your moment?" Sabay kaming napalingon ni Jaime kay Ashanti na nasa kwarto na pala ni Jaime.

"Lalabas na ako." Sabi ni Jaime pero pinigilan ko siya. I looked at her, with my eyes telling her to stay. She smiled. "Maghahanda lang ako ng pagkain mo. You need to take your meds."

My grip widened.

"Drei is worried about you, Celestine. Kanina pa siya 'di mapakali." Wika ni Ashanti bago lumapit sa amin ni Jaime. "And, Kiara is already looking for you, Jaime."

I saw how Jaime smiled at Ashanti, when she heard Kiara's name. And, the emotional pain strikes like, a thunder in my heart.

Jaime mouthed 'thank you' and leave the room. Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Ashanti. And, I felt my mind bothered by the way she looked at me. She's intimidating like, Lara. No wonder Lara, Jaime and her were close to each other.

She sat beside me. "If you have given a chance to fly, what place will you go, to an abandoned museum or to a recently opened amusement park?" She asked while her eyes were set on me.

"Amusement park," sagot ko.

"Why?" Mabilis na gatong niya.

I gulped. "I'm a fan of museums because of my passion but, I would spend my time feeling the happiness I've always wanted. Being in a happy place makes you happy also. The smiles on other people's faces can hypnotize you and make your lips form a smile." Sagot ko sa kaniya.