Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 37

Naramdaman ko ang init ng sikat ng araw sa balat ko. Slowly, I opened my eyes. The curtains of my windows are all tied up. Kaya naman pala napapaso na ang balat ko sa init!

I am already on my bed. Sa pagkakaalala ko ay nasa sofa ako hanggang sumapit ang dilim kahapon. I was lying in between Zach's arms. Natulog lang ako maghapon, ginising niya ako para kumain ng hapunan at painumin ng gamot.

It's still clear to me, how I went back in his arms after eating. I was in pain, but his presence soothed me. I wonder if he stayed up all night, taking care of me. Maayos na ang pakiramdam ko ngayon. Wala kahit katiting na sakit sa ulo o katawan.

Did he bring me here? I guess so . . . I have no memory of walking myself upstairs last night. But if he did, where is he now? Umalis na ba siya?

I tied my hair up before leaving the bed. Tinignan ko ang sarili sa salamin. My eyes are still a bit swollen and my lips are dry, but I don't look that horrible.

I noticed something off . . .

"Why am I wearing pajamas now? This is not my clothes before I sleep!" Nataranta kaagad ako sa naisip.

"Bitch! Did he just change my clothes last night?" No way. He can't. That's illegal.

Mabilis akong naghilamos at nagsipilyo bago bumaba. Thoughts occupied my mind. Kaya nang bumaba ako at makita ang likod ng isang pamilyar na babae ay hindi ko alam kung nanaginip ba ako o hindi.

I slapped myself not just once. Hence, no matter how hard I hurt my cheeks, it's not making any difference. I'm wide awake! And this is not a dream.

I confirmed it when Yelah turned around. She was holding a soup ladle when she looked at me. My eyes rounded, refusing to believe that I'm seeing her right now.

"Hi," usal niya sa normal na boses. "Good morning?" agap niyang dagdag.

It's been a long time since I saw her this close, since I heard her voice. I almost forgot what she sounds like.

"G-Good morning," naiilang kong tugon.

"Gutom ka na ba? Hindi pa luto 'tong pinapaitan, pero malapit naman na. Kung hindi ka makapaghihintay, magtinapay ka muna." She spoke casually.

I wasn't able to say a word because I was still in disbelief. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"A-Ah, yes," walang kuwenta kong sagot.

"Anong yes? Maghihintay ka o papalamanan kita ng tinapay?" tanong niya sa mataas na boses.

"I can wait, I'm not that hungry yet," I said to clarify. She shrugged and turned around, facing the pot.

Bewildered in my thoughts, Yelah took two bowls and put soup in there. Mukhang luto na ang papaitan niya. She placed one bowl in my front and the other on the seat beside me. Sa sobrang init ng sabaw ay umuusok pa ito.

"Mainit pa 'yan, hipan mo muna at baka mapaso ka," bilin niya. "Wait, kutsara pala."

Tumayo siya para kuhanan kami ng kubyertos. Sumandok rin siya ng kanin mula sa rice cooker. She sat beside me and told me to eat.

Naging pipi ako. I have words to say. How the hell would I talk to her? She's talking normally to me, like we weren't apart for five years—like she's not mad at me in the first place.

I was not planning to eat rice until she put some in my bowl. "Pakainin daw kita ng kanin kahit kaunti sabi ni Kuya," sabi niya.

"W-Where's Zach?" I stuttered.

She started eating so she had to stop to answer me.

"Pumasok. Morning shift siya ngayon."

I nodded quietly. "I-Ikaw? W-Wala kang pasok?"