Ghosting Madness

Chapter 31

31: A New Meal to Swallow
"I am lost in a world that 
never stops giving me lies,
truths, and threats."

Lunes. Nasa loob ako ng room habang naghihintay sa pagpasok ng susunod na period. Katabi ko si Nella, nakapatong ang siko niya sa arm rest ng upuan habang hawak ang cellphone sa kanang kamay, kausap si Pamela. 

“Again?” bulong niya habang salo ng kaniyang palad ang speaker ng cellphone. Nella never answer calls this way so probably, Pamela requested her not to make the situation a news beat for everyone.

Our instructors are asking for her letter of absence, of which Pamela never submitted, not even through us. So they’re giving Pamela this week to make up for all the missed quizzes and tasks. Or else, this semester is done for her. 

“‘Di ba I told you last Saturday na last Saturday mo na ‘yan sa hospital? What’s going on?” 

Bumaling siya sa puwesto ko at akmang ipapasa sa’kin ang birtud para pakiusapan siyang pumasok. After I froze in my seat for a few seconds, I immediately fanned my right hand to stop her, then gestured slicing my neck repeatedly: a prompt that if she can’t persuade her, then asking for my help will totally be a waste of time. 

Nella later understood. Her blank face returned to her calling stance earlier and continued whispering. “May thesis pa tayo. Plus, hinahanap ka na rin ng mga professor natin. Nasa DL ka nga pero drop list.” 

Another round of silence. 

“No, I’m not making fun of you, ano ba?” 

Malapit nang sumuko si Nella sa kausap niya. Meanwhile, I excused myself to check up on the remaining school works I have to do for this week. Nella has always been a good communicator, even a multilingual. It’s just that her childishness can overshadow her seriousness when she gravely needs to.

Tinanong kami kanina ng thesis adviser namin sa first period kung may balak raw ba si Pamela na magpakita sa research proposal namin sa darating na Biyernes. Siyempre, oo ang sagot naming dalawa. Una, siya ang nag-pitch in ng idea at concept, in-expand lang namin ni Nella. Pangalawa, komplikado ang sitwasyon niya (which is also valid) at mas kailangan niya ngayon ang pag-unawa galing sa’min. 

Kahit na pilit niya noong pinagtatabuyan si Nella. 

Kahit na dinidiin niya pa rin na kasalanan ko ang lahat. 

“Hello? Hello, Pami?” 

Side-eyeing the stressed Nella, I heard her gritting hard in annoyance after the minute-length call was cut abruptly. Realizing she can’t do anything but let Pamela go, she put down her phone and laid the side of her head over her arms extended on the arm desk. 

“Let me guess, she didn’t even care to say goodbye.” 

“Mm, she’s not coming daw.” From the tone of her voice, I think she put on a sad face. “May isa pa raw siyang shift na tatapusin later in the afternoon, tapos may isa pa raw siyang bagong ‘racket’ or whatsoever. I didn’t know she’s playing badminton,” she sighed deeply. 

“Trabaho ‘yon. Raket, not with a ‘c’,” I corrected her and spelled the word patiently. “Ohh,” she said, thankful for the new word when I heard her smack a kiss.

“Anyway, I am worried na nga, eh, kasi what if she’s not eating properly na kasi puro work here and there na lang siya. What if hindi na talaga siya pumasok? What if Pamela have really decided to stop for the sake of taking care of her brother and the hospital expenses?”

“Hindi naman siguro.”

But Nella only whined and sighed deep.

“I told her na nga last time that I’m willing to help her financially. Like, I can help! Pati ikaw, right?” With her body language, I felt she suddenly latched her eyes to me, filled with enthusiasm. It caught me off-guard to nod and say ‘yes’.