When the Cold Fire Burns

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Jimson

I let Winonah Fierro ignored me. It was painful to see her walking without recognizing me. I could see all her fidgeting. She was in a crisis, but she couldn't tell me. She won't tell me. If that's what she wants, edi wala na akong magagawa.

Even if she walked past me, my eyes will still always follow her. Every night, I will still think of her before I go to sleep.

"Are you okay?" Joseph asked when we were having dinner without our parents.

"Yeah."

"Wala ka yata sa sarili mo nitong mga nakaraang araw. Are you really sure?"

I shrugged. "Yes."

"I don't believe you but I won't ask questions."

There's a huge difference between Fierro and I. She acts like I'm a stranger. I act like she's still a friend. I couldn't bear to ignore her. It also got me thinking if I don't really matter to her that she could make it seems natural.

It was 10 p.m. and my body was so tired. Wala na akong lakas na magmaneho kaya tumawag na ako ng grab.

I took all the apparatus that we used earlier. Nilinisan ko na ito at kailangan ko na lang na ibalik sa lab.

When I went there, I stopped when I saw Fierro trying to reach the cabinet to put the vials. She was so tiny and small, so she couldn't get a hold of it. Ang cute niya.

"Buwisit," she whispered.

She took a deep breath and tried to tiptoe. With all her muscles, she tried to reach the cabinet again.

Hindi ko na kinayanan pa at tahimik na naglakad patungo sa kanya. She did not notice me until I took the vials from her hand and gently placed it on the cabinet that she was reaching.

I felt her looking at me, but I did not look back. Instead, I continued to place the vials that she was supposed to do. Fierro distanced herself away from me and silently wiped the remaining containers on the counter.

After placing it all, I walked away from the room without a word.

Nahinto ako nang makalabas na. Should I go back and force her to talk to me? I was so close to crawl back to Fierro. So close. But I knew she would not talk to me. So, I walked away.

I continued to watch over her though. Fierro is smart but clumsy most of the time.

Isang araw ay muntik na siyang mabunggo sa pinto. Luckily, I was there to open the door properly, so she could continue walking. When the books that she was holding almost fell, I caught it and gave it back to her. Again, I did not initiate a talk.

I was determined not to talk to her again. That maybe I can do what she was doing.

But that all changed when I went to the university hospital earlier than my schedule.

My rounds were not starting yet, so I figured that I should stroll around the hospital and widen my scope.

"Hello, Mr. Serese," a nurse greeted.

I nodded back at her.

Sinundan pa iyon ng iilang mga pagbati. It has also been so long since I wandered around the entirety of the hospital. I usually stay away from the crowd.

I visited the orthopedic, ward, canteen, and many more. Until I reached the pediatric ward. My feet stopped on the main entrance when I saw Winonah Fierro inside.

She was talking to a little girl with a smile on her face. God, she was so beautiful. It was a rare sight to see her smiling because we were all used to her frown. And whenever she does, my heart beats frantically.