Breathless (Book 1&2)

Harder to Breathe #22.4

Harder to Breathe #22.4
Cloud

Mid-October
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland

"What's wrong?" the professor suddenly asked when he noticed my change in expression. The lecture is about to start kaya naman tinawag na niya ako. He got the best seat for both of us.

"Let me call my sister for a bit, this is an important matter," pakiusap ko sa kanya.

"Okay, two minutes, you can't miss the lecture."

"I won't, thank you!"

I immediately called Ate Chloe after receiving Noreen's message. I didn't expect her to be here kaya naman hindi ako naka pag cancel ng appointment with my professor. Kung alam ko lang, ako na mismo sana ang sumundo sa kanya sa airport.

What happened? Bakit biglaan ang pagpunta niya dito? Is she okay?

To be honest, wala akong halos naintindihan sa first part ng lecture dahil si Noreen lang ang tumatakbo sa isip ko kanina pa.

Kumain na ba siya? Is she resting na? Why did she suddenly visit here?

I immediately went out of the lecture room after the speaker announced that we will have a ten-minute break. I called Noreen but she didn't answer my call at first, persistent, I dialed it again.

"Noreen?" agad kong bungad nang sinagot niya iyon.

"C-Cloud. Break mo?" kumunot ang noo ko matapos marinig ang boses niya.

"Something wrong? Did you cry?" I asked.

"No. Malamig l-lang kasi, runny n-nose."

"I'm really sorry hindi ko alam na darating ka today. If you just informed me beforehand, I was able to cancel the appointment sana." paliwanag ko agad.

"It's okay. You need it. You are here for that after-all."

"Not feeling good?" I asked her again.

"I'm o-okay. Did you eat?"

"Actually no. It's just a ten-minute break and I want to use it para makausap ka."

"T-Thank you Cloud. Are y-you enjoying your day there?" I felt uncomfortable after hearing her voice again, is she trying to hold her tears? What's wrong? I want to ask pero kung kukulitin ko siya, she will breakdown for sure. I can't let that happen, wala siyang ibang kasama, wala ako sa tabi niya.

"Yes. Noreen, I wish I could show you this place. You'll love it here." sagot ko while trying to lighten up the mood.

I really wish you are here with me, though.

"A-Ah. I'm happy that you sound so happy right now. You're fulfilling your dreams. You're doing a r-really good job. I k-know your family will be very proud of you."

"Hey. You sounded really sick just now. Are you with Ate Chloe? Where are you now? Did she give you the key to my apartment?"

"Uhum," she almost whispered. "Don't worry, just focus on your lecture, okay?"

"Okay. I'll see you soon. I love you."

She didn't utter any other words after mine. She just ended the call after that.

Buong maghapon siya lang laman ng isip ko. I can't find  the right timing to call her again. My professor keep on introducing me to other professors as well since the lecture started. He said I needed that for wider connections. Pero when I finally had the chance to call her again, her phone was already out of reach. Hindi ako mapakali dahil doon. I called Ate Chloe but I can't reach her too.