ARROWS OF THE FOREST [ON-GOING]

KABANATA 17: New Beginnings

⚜️Kendrick⚜️

I was in the middle of getting ready for school when Alia called me.

"Hi Kennnn!!" she greeted cheerfully.

"You called too early, Ali. Is something wrong? May nangyari ba?" I asked.

"Wala naman. I just want to let you know na today, madidischarge na si Bella sa JMC, mga afternoon siguro. Makakapunta ka ba mamaya?"

Shit. May quiz ako mamayang hapon.

"I'll try... maaga ko na lang tatapusin yung class ko."

"Pero okey lang naman kung hindi. Kaya ko naman eh. Sisend ko nalang sayo yung address ng dorm ko, punta ka na lang after class."

"Alright. Update mo pa rin ako ah. Thanks, Ali."

"Nako! Tumigil ka Ken. Thanks to you kamo. Act of service lang naman naitulong ko eh. Yung financial sayo lahat. Sobrang laki na nga ng ginastos mo... Are you sure okay lang yun sa parents mo, Ken?"

"Yup. They don't mind even if I spent millions in a day," I lied.

"Sanaol talaga... mayaman noh. Sige na, pupunta pa ako sa billing eh. Later, Ken!"

"Bye..."

Si Mom walang problema sa ginagastos ko gamit ang cards ko, pero pag nalaman ni Dad ang bills ko, sigurado ako magtatanong siya. He will instantly think na nilalasing ko ang pera niya sa useless passion ko for photography.

As long as they're not here, I'm still safe from interrogation. Kailangan ko nalang ng believable alibi pag nagtanong si Dad.

Oo nga pala... yun bill ni Bella.

I instantly called the billing department of JMC.

"Hello, Mr. Razon? What can I do for you, Sir?"

"Send me the details of your bank account. I will send the payment for patient Bella Reyes directly to your bank."

"Okay, Sir. I will email it to you now."

"Thanks." Tapos pinatay ko na yung tawag at nagmadali nang umalis.

Kahit pagmamay-ari namin ang hospital, it's still business. Kaya I still need to pay everything when we get treatment from JMC. That's how my father always taught me about running a business. No one is free—everyone should always pay.

I was gonna be late for class, so nagmadali na akong mag-drive papunta sa university namin.

This has been my daily routine. It's tiring, but when I see her... everything seems worth it. Nakakawala ng pagod every time I see na okay na si Bella. And now, she's finally leaving the hospital.

It brings so much joy to my heart knowing she's finally out of danger and recovering well.

I was half-running to my first class when I opened the door, and agad na tinaasan ako ng kilay ng prof ko sa Fil1.

"Mr. Ranzon, you're late AGAINNN!!" I really don't like her.

"I'm very sorry, Ma'am," I muttered and sat down.

"Keep doing this until the end of the semester and I will not hesitate to drop you from this subject!"

True. Lagi talaga akong late simula pa noong na-admit si Bella sa hospital. But what can I do? I always want to check on her before starting my day. Kung hindi ko siya mapuntahan, my mind would always wonder kung okay na ba siya or kung may masakit ba sa kanya. I don't really mind being late for school anyway. Hell, I don't even mind if I'm going to retake this subject.