at long last, peace

Epilogue 2

Habang papatagal nang papatagal, napansin ko na lang na mas nagiging komportable sa'kin si Telly lalo na no'ng nag-review kami sa library habang nasa Anaphy lab 'yung iba naming kaklase. Hindi ko alam pero ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko sa kaniya na hindi ko rin naiwasang magkwento tungkol kay Aliyah no'ng nakasalubong namin siya sa may canteen.

And by then I just wanted to make her feel that she'd be safe around me.

No'ng naglabas ng announcements ng interview for student council, Toby asked me and Telly if we wanted to join but I never really liked joining student councils. Hassle. Mahilig akong makipag-socialize pero hindi ko talaga gusto 'yung dami ng gawain sa student council, matutulog na lang ako kesa umuwi nang late dahil sa meetings.

But Toby seemed like he really wanted Telly to join kaya nagulat din ako no'ng mapansin kong naiinis na talaga si Telly.

Pagkatapos ng klase, pa-diretso na sana kami sa dining hall pero nag-usap pa sila Telly at Toby kaya nauna na lang kami nila Isaac. Hindi rin naman yata sila nagtagal sa pag-uusap dahil nakita rin namin agad si Corrine na hinihila si Telly papasok sa dining hall. Napangiti ako saglit nang lumapit sa'min sila Telly pero napakunot ako ng noo nang mapansin kong nasusugatan na 'yung kamay niya.

"Telly," tawag ko dahilan para lumingon siya. Mabilis kong pinaglayo 'yung kamay niya para matigil 'yung pagsusugat niya... but she looked like she didn't even sense the pain of her nails digging dahilan para kabahan ako, "It's bleeding."

Napa-buntonghininga ako at hinila siya papunta sa kotse. Lagi kasi akong may dalang first-aid kit, bilin na rin ni papa.

"Can I?"

Telly shook her head, "Ako na lang," sambit niya. Hindi na'ko nag-insist dahil ayaw ko namang maging uncomfortable siya. Hinayaan ko na lang siya na gamutin 'yung sugat niya pero napansin kong napakapit siya sa gilid ng kotse kaya mabilis akong lumapit.

"Dizzy?"

Telly nodded. She looked like she was struggling to breathe kaya inalalayan ko siya para makahinga siya nang maayos.

But then, she broke down.

Shit.

She's having a panic attack.

Mabilis kong sinarado 'yung first aid kit at ipinasok si Telly sa loob ng sasakyan. I was driving so fast as I was contacting dad habang hinahagod 'yung likod ni Telly para makahinga siya kahit pa paano. I didn't even know how I reached our home that fast, but my mind was just empty and blank.

All I knew was that I needed to save her.

"Dad... panic attack." Dad nodded at tinulungan akong maipasok siya sa loob ng clinic. Dad had helpers in the clinic kaya mabilis din siyang nasuotan ng oxygen at IV. Napasuklay na lang ako ng buhok bago lumapit kay Telly bago siya nakatulog.

God.

"Dad," I called. "Shouldn't we tell her parents?"

Dad shook his head, "I know her. I think we should let her decide if she wants to tell what happened," he uttered. "Her mom already called me about Telly's condition."

I sighed.

"You should be careful around her, " dad says as he looks at her bago tumingin sa'kin at ngumiti. "I mean, not walking on eggshells kind of careful, just be mindful of what you say. You know how words can also hurt people."

"Is she..."

Dad shook his head, "I don't think I don't have the privilege to tell it to you, son," he says. "May klase ka pa, 'di ba?"

Napa-buntonghininga na lang ako at napaupo sa may gilid ng kama. Nag-decide na lang din akong hindi pumasok, pero eksakto rin namang tumawag sa'kin si Corrine at wala nang pasok dahil sa meeting. Napasandal na lang ako sa dingding at napatingin kay Telly.