Behind the Facade

VIII. First Move

Striding my way back to the company, my eyes were fed with the sceneries that I haven't noticed since then. Urbanized man ang city na 'to ay hindi pa rin nawawala ang mga hindi kalakihang puno na malinis na nakahilera sa gilid ng highway bago ang mga establisyemento. It adds the color of the modernized city.

Galing ako sa convenience store to buy myself an ice cream. Dahil sa hindi ko na kakayaning hiya na naramdaman kanina, I couldn't bear sharing the same car with him, kaya nagpabababa na lamang ako sa convenience. And now, pacing my way to the building.

Saktong pagpasok ko sa revolving glass door, tumunog 'yung phone kong nasa bulsa ng aking coat. I was prompted to pick it up as I make my way to the elevator. My brows were briefly shrunk when my eyes met the name of an unusual caller.

"What is it?" bungad ko sa kabilang linya na si Reinleigh. What does he want from me right now? I was sulking throughout the ride earlier because he kept on teasing me! At ngayon, 'wag niya kamong sasabihing tumawag pa talaga siya para asarin ako ulit?

I wouldn't think twice to block his number.

"Is this Miss Voughn?" my aggressive thoughts faded in an instant when an unfamiliar voice responded. It wasn't Reinnleigh's at all. I stopped half-way for a moment with a frown.

"May I know who it is?" I answered him with another question.

"This is from PK Hospital, Miss. You are the first person I dialed because you're on the recent list, I assume that you are his girlfriend." Mas lalo pang kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. It's not because he referred to me as his girlfriend, but the fact that this caller is from the hospital.

What's going on?

"What happened?" nababahala kong tanong.

"Your boyfriend got into a car accident. He's at room 204, 3rd floor." I was supposed to make it clear to him that I'm not in any relationship with that man, ngunit nadali ako sa sunod niyang sinabi. Reinleigh got into an accident?!

I immediately turned back and hurriedly went out of the building. Panicking, I pressed my car key aggressively. Agad akong pumasok at pinalipad ang sasakyan. I might be violating the speed limit in any time right now. Ngunit wala na akong pakialam diyan! Reinleigh just got into accident, at ako ang huling kasama niya sa kotse niya!

My heart beat loudly as I tried to keep my concentration straight to the road. Cold sweats began bulging on my temple as my breathing started to get heavier. Mabuti na lang ay hindi malayo ang PK Hospital galing sa kompanya ko. I got there within 10 minutes after I received the call.

I headed straight to the elevator as worry overcame my body. Hindi ako mapakali! I was biting my nails as I tried to trail back to the moments when I was with him. Including in my recollection is when I was told that I looked like a grim reaper, and I replied... something dark.

"Shit!" I know that is not logical enough to put the blame on my utterance, but it keeps on popping in my head like some goddamn parasites!

As the elevator opened, I immediately jumped out and dashed the room where I was told where Reinleigh is. Nang mapihit ko ang pinto, agad na bumungad sa'kin ang doctor, who possibly the one who called me, and Reinleigh on a hospital gown lying unconscious on the hospital bed. I pushed the lump in my throat at the sight.

Wiggling sinking brows, I glued my shaky eyes on him. Slowly, I lifted them on the doctor a second. "W-What happened?" puno ng pagtataka ang mababasa sa mukha ko ngayon habang naghihintay ng sagot sa doctor.

"As I said, a car accident." Pilosopong sagot niya. I already know about that! "I got a hold on the dashcam of his car. There are indirect indications that points the root of the accident. Apparently, there was a malfunction in the wheelers and brake. He tried to resort to jumping out of the car, but it was too late for him to do so as a truck in front of him was coming." Palinawag nito. Ngunit sa narinig ko, mas dumagdag pa ang katanungan sa isipan ko.