30: The Worst Case Scenario
“I'm awake but I feel like
I am sleeping down the abyss
of fear and despair."
…
“PPG COMEBACK!”
Pinutol ng isang malakas na sigaw ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa kasabay ng paglundag ng puso ko palabas sa dibdib ko. Nilingon ko ang likod ng tenga ko kung saan nakuha ang tingin ni Pamela. Mukhang inaasahan na niya ang biglaan nitong pagbisita, ngunit hindi ang mga kasama nito.
“You both look sus, ah?” komento ni Nella habang pilyong nakangiti at nakaturo sa aming dalawa.
Sa likod niya nakasunod si Daela na siyang nagsara ng pinto habang hawak naman ang push handles ng wheelchair na inuupuan ni Madness. Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya. Si Daela naman ay masaya lang na makita ako. Kumaway pa nga siya sa’kin dahil sa tagal na wala siyang natanggap na balita mula sa’kin simula ng gabing ‘yon.
Tumakbo si Nella papunta sa’ming dalawa ni Pamela at niyakap kami. Now, the two of us were squeezed like dogs trying to bite each other but not in an obvious manner.
“OMG, I can’t believe it. Finally, tatlo na ulit us. I thought PPG days were totally gone…like the wind from yesterday, char, report ko ‘yan sa literature!” she giggled.
“Nels, kalma…” I looked at Daela who was probably confused on what was happening and what she’s saying. But she looked cool about it.
‘Nothing to worry about.’ I nodded after recognizing her gaze towards me.
Napansin ni Nella na parang umiiwas si Pamela sa skin contact habang parang yelo naman ako na ayaw gumalaw kaya mas hinigpitan niya pa ang yakap sa’min.
“So maaarte. Nag-lotion naman ako, gigil!”
“Okay, stop. It’s too much.” Pamela nonchalantly pushed away from the group hug. “Nakakahiya naman sa mga bisitang dinala mo.”
Nella pouted about it. “What’s mali ba? They wanted to visit.”
“Really?” Pamela leaned backward and started cleaning up some mess. “Kanina pa tapos ang visiting hours.”
Nella bit her right index finger between her lips. “Ay, was it ba?” Then she shrugged her shoulders. “Meh, wala naman nakakita. The nurse even gladly gave us a wheelchair for Madness.”
“Because I paid for it,” Madness interjected. Daela raised her eyebrow as she agrees. “Are you okay?” he then suddenly asked me. Tumango lang ako, hoping he’s here not only because he’s worried about me.
Katahimikan ulit. Parang biglang sumikip sa loob habang nakatingin ako sa mga tao sa loob ng kuwarto ni Dean. Dumagdag pa ang bigat ng nangyari kanina na hindi pa rin nagsa-subside. I felt Dae’s uneasiness kaya sinimulan kong pakiramdaman si Pamela na ngayon ay tahimik lang na nakaupo.
“Uhm, si Daela nga pala, best friend ko,” pagpapakilala ko sa kaniya. “Dae, siya naman si Pamela…kaibigan namin ni Nella, at kapatid ni Dean.” I cleared my throat—nakakatinik sabihin ngayon ang salitang ‘kaibigan’.
“Hi, Pamela. It’s nice meeting you.” She waved and smiled in a friendly manner although the other person scanned her from head to toe. That could have been embarrassing but thank goodness Daela has better social skills than I do.
“We’ve met before during Shel’s pageant night, right? By the way, school friend ko rin si Dean. ‘Di ko alam na may kapatid pala siya?”
Then she gazed at me after an interrogative statement, still acting pretty calm about this. I bobbed my head twice.
BINABASA MO ANG
Ghosting Madness
Romansa"She left her madness for good, yet the Madness she hated wants her presence once more." -- After settling in the city to start a new life, Joshel Buela began to face the consequences of her past actions. Meeting blank faces from strangers gradually...
