Fatima Riarte only had one cardinal rule. And it's to never fall in love with her friend, Rigo Riorson.
Despite the meaningful glances and the silent pleas of the heart, their relationship never materialized.
Not until that one night.
But when a mis...
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Chapter 5
Favorite Smile
Fatima woke up feeling like she was run over by a 10 wheeler truck. Her joints and muscles ache so much that she couldn't even lift her arm to grab her phone and check the time. And her head was like expanding from the pressure even though she got a decent sleep last night compared to the previous evenings.
Bumalikwas siya nang makita na ilang minuto na lang ay magsisimula na ang pang-umagang klase niya. She couldn't afford to be late!
She flung around her clothes at dali-daling binasa ang mukha niya at naghilamos para umabot pa sa grace period. Her head was spinning but she ignored it and willed herself not to pass out. Humawak siya sa gilid ng lababo para hindi siya matumba hanggang sa matapos siyang magtuyo ng mukha.
Mabilis niyang sinuklay ang buhok niya at pinahiran ng liptint ang labi niya para magkaroon naman ng kulay bago umalis nang makarinig siya ng mahinang katok sa pintuan niya.
Her forehead scrunched at the noise because no one usually visits her at this hour. Madalas ay hapon bumibista ang mga kaibigan niya dahil alam nilang tapos na ang klase niya. And even then, they would notify her in advance because they knew she didn't like it when they barge.
"Fatima? Gising ka na?" narinig niyang pagtawag ng pamilyar na boses sa kabilang side. Why he was here at this hour, banging on her door like she owed him rent was beyond her.
Fatima angrily stomped towards the door and pulled it back with such force that Rigo took a step back in surprise. "Gulat ko naman, puta."
"Bakit ka nandito?" Fatima demanded. She knew she was being rude, but Rigo knew that she didn't like it when people just swing by her dorm without notice. Ayaw niyang nakikita ng mga ito na makalat ang kwarto niya at marumi siya siyang tignan.
Rigo responded but Fatima could barely hear what he was saying because something vile rose from her throat. Agad siyang tumakbo papunta sa bathroom niya at hinayaan si Rigo sa hallway. He would welcome himself anyway.
She heaved her empty stomach on the toilet and tried to ignore Rigo when she heard his footsteps approaching her. She held her palm up to stop him from going inside the bathroom and seeing her dishevelled and heaving. But it was no use.
Inabot ni Rigo ang kamay niya at dahan dahan siyang itinayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa malamig na tiles. "Kaya mong tumayo? Ikawit mo braso mo sa 'kin."
Fatima did as she was told and wrapped her arm around Rigo's stable ones. Rigo stood stiff beside her and allowed her to lean on him for a little bit until the dizziness wore off. She felt cold to the touch so he also wrapped his hand around her smaller ones to warm them up.
After a few seconds, the world finally stopped spinning. "Okay na," Fatima whispered, clearly still feeling unwell, but better now that she let out the contents of her stomach. "I'm okay."
