Smashed

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 #smashedsrs

"Rivi, sorry talaga..."

I took the time opening my eyes then found the source of the apologetic voice by the lower deck where I was. Kumapit si Rhea sa braso ko, alalang-alala. Para tuloy akong binibista sa hospital nito. I giggled and softly slapped her hand.

"Ano ka ba— Achoo! This is not your fau— Achoo!"

"Sus, totoo, Rivi! Hinawaan ka niyan ni Rhea!" asar ni Patrice habang nakatayo sa malapit at namamalantsa ng buhok.

"Ibibili kita ng meds," Rhea attempted to resolve it. "Ano ba'ng meds mo kapag may sakit ka? Hiyang ka ba kay John Lloyd Cruz?"

I shook my head while rubbing my nose harshly because it was getting too itchy for my endurance. Hindi na ako magugulat kung si Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ang makikita ko kapag nanalamin ako. My lips puckered on their own at the thought.

"H'wag na, Rhea. I have my medicine kit here."

Napanguso si Rhea, biglang nawalan ng pag-asa. It made my pout from the previous thought linger too. How am I going to stray her away from blaming herself for this?

She's the one who had the flu these past days. It was because the other day, she had no choice but to jog her way to the dorm under the drizzle since she had no umbrella. Kahapon lang siya gumaling at kanina, nagising ako na bumabahing. Sinisisi niya tuloy ang sarili. She thinks I caught her flu. Pero hindi ko naman kasi siya sinisisi, eh.

"Eh 'di ano na lang magagawa ko for you? Please, Rivi, makabawi lang!"

"Uubo siya tapos langhapin mo. Bawiin mo 'yung virus ta's ikaw ulit magpagaling," natatawang singit ni Jenica.

She's all dressed already, lying on her bed, scrolling through her iPad as she and Rhea wait for Patrice to finish curling her hair for today's class. Si Rhea nga, ito at abala na aluin ako rito sa may bed ko.

"Dugyot mo, Jen," Patrice commented, to which Jenica burst out laughing more.

"E, lagot si Rhea niyan kay Zorca. Hinawaan ang girlfriend nang malapit na ang Valentine's. Paano sila magde-date?"

"Hindi—" I sneezed, "ko boyf—" I sneezed, "boyfriend—" I sneezed again, what the fuck?

"Sis, wala kaming maintindihan. Ipahinga mo na lang 'yan," naawa na sabi ni Patrice. "Para makapag-date kayo ng boyfriend mo sa 14."

Patrice set down the hair iron and unplugged it. Jenica witnessed that, earning a moan of rejoice from her throat. Nangingiting umiling naman ako.

"Sa wakas, tapos na rin siyang mag-ayos for a freaking party in the... classroom!" sarkastikong bulalas ni Jenica nang ilapag na ang iPad at tumayo na.

Hininaan nila ang air con bago ko sila hinatid ng tingin palabas ng kuwarto namin. I took time staring at the closed door, deciding if I should let my body glued to bed the entire day... o gumawa rin ako ng assignments.

Nagtalukbong na ulit ako ng kumot nang takip hanggang ulo. Ah, screw the assignments! I excuse myself because I'm sick!

I already felt my eyelids turning heavy when soft knocks were heard along by the silent noise of the air con. My forehead creased under the blanket. May naiwan ba ang roommates ko? Pero may susi naman sila, so why is there a need to knock?

Nagtataka ako nang bumangon at bumaba sa kama ko. I flinched upon my soles having contact with the cold tiles of the floor. Sinuot ko agad ang fluffy slippers ko at yakap ang sarili nang tahakin ang pinto at buksan ito.

Pabahing ako nang saktong bubuksan ang pinto kaya ipinaling ko sa gilid ang ulo ko. After sneezing, I checked who was the visitor and I was welcomed by Uno's worried gaze.