The Senses

Chapter 6

Seine

Nandito ako ngayon sa loob ng apartment at hindi mapakali sa nangyari. Hindi pa tumatawag si Xavier, it was over 6 P.M., why isn't he calling us? I was distracted from my thinking by Zero who was humming beside the oven, baking chocolate chip cookies. The smell was overpowering and I did love chocolate.

A few minutes later, I got a text from Xavier, it was quite short and precise, it only had the address of a hospital. I closed my eyes to contain my frustration, he's in a hospital but since Xavier was able to text me, it could only mean one thing, Mary was the one who got hit.

"Zero, umalis na tayo, binigay na sa akin ni Xavier yung address ng hospital."

"Already? Maglalagay na sana ako ng 3rd batch of chocolate cookies," he said with a sigh.

I tried not to scream, does this man do not understand the situation? Nasa labas na ako ng pinto at hinihintay si Zero, ilang minuto rin ang lumipas bago siya lumabas na may dalang tote bag.

"Ano iyan? Anong nasa loob?" tanong ko.

"Mga bagay na kakailanganin natin mamaya," he said with a smile.

***

He's broken and I think it's my fault.

Nagmamadali kaming pumunta ni Zero sa hospital at naabutan namin si Xavier na umuupo sa labas ng emergency room. He's face was covered by his hands but I already know what he feels, papalapit palang kami ay narinig ko na kaagad ang mga iniisip niya.

"It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault."

I sat next to him and was about to ask 'are you okay?' but he was obviously not.

"Xav, anong nangyari?"

Nabigla ako ng bigla niya ako niyakap, naramdaman ko ang luha na nagmumula sa kanyang mata. His hug was tight, as if he was searching for the warmth of a companion.

"It was my fault, Seine. Kasalanan ko ito. Kung sana hindi lang ako nakialam."

Kahit na umiiyak si Xavier ay nagawa pa rin niyang maikwento ang mga nangyari, tiningnan ko siya at naisip kung kasalanan ko din ba bakit siya naging ganito. Maybe this wouldn't have happened if I didn't search for him and dragged him in this crazy world.

Bumitaw na si Xavier sa akin at tumingin siya kay Zero na ngumingiti ngayon sa kanya pero may halo itong lungkot.

"Xavier, have a cookie. Diba paborito mo ang chocolate chip cookies?" sabi niya habang binubuksan niya ang tupperware na nasa loob ng tote bag.

"I'll get us something to drink."

"No need Seine," sabi ni Zero habang inilalabas ang isang tumbler.

"Have some milk Xav, favorite combo mo ang cookies at milk diba?"

"Thanks Zero," mahinang tugon ni Xavier.

"Hey, what are thoughtful friends for, right?"

I smiled at Zero, who would have thought that a scatterbrained guy like him can be this thoughtful. Unti unti nang tumigil sa pag iyak si Xavier habang kumakain ng cookies.

"Guys, I need to go.", I said as I walked away.

Malayo na ako sa kanila ng hinawakan ko ang ulo ko dahil sa sobrang sakit.

"Doc, tulungan niyo ang anak ko."

"Mabubuhay pa kaya ako?"

"Mukhang hindi na siya magtatagal."