The delicate man that capCURED my heart

50 : CLARIFICATION

KREIA'S POV

“What’s this? Let me see, Kreia” Kent grabbed my hand and stared at my burnt skin.

We were just standing near the door, nakaharang kami sa may pintuan. Malapit na ring mag-umpisa ang klase kaya balak ko sanang kunin na ang kamay ko nang higpitan pa lalo ni Kent ang hawak dito.

“This is nothing, Kent. Malayo sa bituka”

I forgot to put a band-aid on it, tuloy ay umaagaw ng atensyon ang namumula kong kamay. Hindi na rin naman masakit pero may konting kirot pa.

“Just a minute...” he told me to stay still and without letting my hand go, his free hand get something on his pocket. A band-aid.

I never knew he’s this ready.

He put the band-aid on my burnt skin and caressed it a little after. Hindi pa nakuntento at hinalikan pa niya ang kamay ko na siyang ikinatawa ko bigla. Siraulo.

I was about to punch him jokingly when Justin arrived in front of us. Ang matalim at madilim niyang tingin ay tumungo sa magkahawak-kamay naming dalawa ni Kent saka ito tumaas para salubungin ang mga titig ko.

He looked down once again in our hands and walk pass through it, the reason why Kent let go of my hand immediately.

I glared at Kent before I go to my chair.

“Anong eksena na naman ‘yon, Kreia?” I saw Qwyn mouthed just right after I sit on my chair. Umirap na lang ako at umayos ng upo.

We had an early dismissal for today, so we have a chance to finally finalize our thesis. Hindi lang naman kasi isang beses na i-check ito ng aming prof. We have at least two to three times to get it checked so that we can just prepare and be ready for our defense if we already finalize it all.

And the thought of our final examinations is already coming scares us too. We have to manage our time really well.

But then it breaks me everytime I follow Justin in their company, he’s struggling so hard. Pinagsasabay ang dalawang bagay na importante sa kanya. Ang pag-aaral at ang pangarap niya. Though I really admire him for working so hard, I just really hope so that he get the rest that he deserves.

Napatunayan ko na lang na hindi na siya nakakapagpahinga nang maayos nang minsa’y naabutan ko siyang natutulog sa studio nila mag-isa. Sa mismong sahig siya natutulog, walang kahit na ano, kahit unan man lang o comforter. Kalat na kalat sa paligid ang mga soft copies ng thesis niya from chapter 1 to 5.

Parang tinutusok ang puso ko. Seeing him this tired is another kind of pain. May kung anong napupunit sa loob ko. If I can just help him so he won’t be this tired.

“Jah...” I tried to tap his shoulder and he eventually moved. “Jah, tara uwi na. Gumagabi na baka maabutan ka ng hating-gabi rito” dagdag ko saka inumpisahang ayusin ang mga gamit niyang nakakalat.

Napatayo siya bigla at tumulong na rin sa pagliligpit. I told him that I can drive him home also, hindi na rin siya umimik at sumabay nga sa akin.

“Kaya mo pa ba?” I asked him meaningfully while we are at the middle of the road.

There was silence. So, I tried to take a glimpse at him. Tumikhim siya at binaling ang ulo sa may bintana. And there, I saw the tears glistened at the corner of his eyes.

I took a deep breath so that I can also stop my tears from falling. Hininto ko muna saglit ang sasakyan sa gilid ng daan.

“I...I believe in you” I told him even though my voice broke. “And don’t forget that I am so proud of you... always proud of your achievements” I didn’t stutter but my tear fall from my left cheek.