Blood of an Arrow (UNDER REVISION)

DIECISIETE

"Diel, slow down" I heard the president shouting at me from a distance. He and Aiden are trying to follow me but they just can't keep up.

Patuloy ako sa pagtakbo patungo sa kakahuyan kung saan narinig namin ang pagaspas. Siguradong may nakamasid sa amin kanina. Imposibleng may nakapasok na ligaw na hayop sa paaralan. Mahigpit ang seguridad at matatayog ang pader na tanging tao lamang ang magtatangkang umakyat para lumabas o pumasok dito.

In the end, I lost whoever it was.

"Let's just go back for now." The president graced me with his hand as he tries to stay on guard.

Aiden stood meters behind us. What surprised me is the gaze he gave us. His eyes are darker from what seems like shades highlighting how deep they are. His stern face remained stoic hanggang makapasok kami sa isang café.

"Are you okay, Diel?" he asked when his eyes met mine. "Bakit hindi ka mapakali?" Nag-alay siya ng masuyong ngiti na hindi ko sinuklian. Napabaling ang presidente sa amin at hindi ko namalayang tipid na kumurba ang sulok ng aking mga labi.

"I-"

"What is it, Diel?" he asked with an indifferent sincerity that is unlike how he sounded from how he offered his hand earlier. What's wrong?

"I suddenly remember na may gagawin pa pala ako." I said as I stood up from my seat. "Una na ako." Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang sasabihin nila at nagmadaling umalis.

Nang makauwi ay diretso akong sumalampak sa kama. What's with me today? Pagod na pagod ang katawan ko at gustuhin ko mang matulog ng mahaba ay hindi pwede. I can only rest for a few hours. I have an engagement today.

I sighed. I allowed the dark to grace my vision as I journeyed into the dreamland.

Nang magising ay nagbihis ako ng isang simpleng black sleeveless na sinapawan ng puting cardigan. I paired it with black shorts at tumingin pa ulit sa salamin bago lumabas.

I stopped by a cake shop first and bought the most affordable offer they have. Ako lang din naman ang kakain nito mamaya, so why bother buying something fancy? This is just out of respect.

Pagkababa ko ng dyip ay tumambad sa akin ang napakalaking gusali na may nakaukit na pangalan ng institusyon.

Greyward Mental Asylum

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng panahon at pumasok na. The smell of a regular health facility welcomed me. Kailan ba ako huling bumisita rito? Was it 10 months ago or was it almost a year? Ewan, hindi ko na maalala.

Itinuon ko na lamang ang aking atensyon sa mga pasyente na inaalalayan ng mga nurses habang naglalakad ako hanggang maipaalam ang aking presensya sa assigned personnel. Kilala na rin naman nila ako sa tagal ng pasyenteng binibisita ko rito.

A nurse guided me towards the room which I am very familiar with. I thanked her after reminding me to call if something unfavorable occurs. I tightened my grip on the cake box when I entered the room. Nothing has changed, it is still dove-white in all four corners with minimal harmful things to be considered, for me who believes anything can be used as a weapon for a mentally ill patient.

And there she is, wearing a gown the same color as her room, sitting comfortably looking at the still curtains, showing her back at me.

"I'm here" I said as I slowly made my way to her. She didn't budge or even throw a glance at me. Instead, she heaved a sigh.

Nang makalapit ako ay naupo ako sa kama at tumabi sa kaniya. Ipinatong ko sa aking mga hita ang cake na dala ko.

"Umuwi ka na." Gaya ng nakasanayan kong marinig sa kaniya sa mga nagdaang taon, hindi nga ako nabigo na marinig ulit ito ngayon.