Anakin, I Remember

Chapter 15

I remember that one time I was thankful for the rain.

"Hattie, ayos ka lang ba talaga?"

My gaze drifted back to Nikko who was walking alongside me. We walked into the library and we were instantly embraced by the cool air released into the entire space by the air conditioners.

Napagpasyahan naming tumambay rito habang naghihintay sa pagsisimula ng mga klase namin sa hapon. Madalas talaga naming ginagawang tambayan ang library.

Before I could say anything, dumapo na ang palad niya sa noo ko. Idiniin niya ito upang hanapin ang init dito.

"Medyo mainit ka."

"Talaga?" I did the same thing only to confirm it.

"Medyo namumutla ka pa. Masyado mo yatang iniisip 'yong thesis. Chill ka lang. Rest ka muna rito. Masakit ba ang ulo mo? Bibili ako ng biogesic."

Umiling ako. "'Wag na. Matutulog na lang ako."

Hindi naman masakit ang ulo ko ngunit dama ko ang bigat ng mga talukap ng mga mata ko dahil sa pagod. Inilagay namin ang mga gamit namin sa cabinet. We wrote our names in the logbook.

We decided to go to the second floor nang makita naming occupied na ang lahat ng lamesa sa ground floor ng library, mostly by architecture students who were so engrossed in doing their plates. Iyong iba ay busy pa sa paggamit ng kanilang laptop at may tinitignan doon.

"Sure ka? Hindi masakit ang ulo mo?" muling pagtatanong ni Nikko sa akin noong nasa hagdanan na kami.

I was looking down and watching my steps. Ilang hakbang na lang, mararating na namin ang ikalawang palapag ng gusali kung saan ay matatagpuan ang mga bookshelf.

Pilit akong natawa. "Okay lang talaga ako. Bakit ang kulit—"

Napahinto kami nang walang anu-ano'y may isang pares ng puting sapatos na huminto sa unahan ko. It was a clean pair of Nike running shoes. Pamilyar na pamilyar. Kasabay niyon ang pagpuno ng samyo ng isang partikular na pabango sa ere na talaga namang nakagagaan ng pakiramdam. Napawi ang pagkakakurba ng mga labi ko at napatitig doon.

"Are you okay?" may kumpyansang tanong ng taong nagmamay-ari n'yon.

Kumabog ang dibdib ko. Dahan-dahang umangat ang tingin ko. From his white shoes, dumapo ang mga mata ko sa nakarolyong A3 paper na nasa kamay niya. He was loosely holding it.

My eyes landed on his ID next. I smiled at the clear image of his pretty face. His lips were adorned with a smile so small yet so sweet. A lanyard artistically imprinted with the words College of Architecture was hanging around his neck. He was wearing their department's organizational shirt.

The instant our eyes met, the familiar sinking feeling crept into my chest like a traumatic memory I would never find a way to get rid of. There in his eyes, I found the overwhelming presence of worry. His hair was disheveled, only for his locks to resemble ocean waves more.

Katulad ko, mababakas din ang pagod sa kanyang mga mata na para bang konti na lang ay susuko na ang mga ito. But I knew him more than anyone else did. He would never give up easily on something he's hungry to have.

"You don't look so well today. May nararamdaman ka ba?" He pressed his hand against my forehead quickly, catching me off guard. "Sakit ng ulo or anything?"

Umiling ako. "Ayos lang ako."

"Kumain ka na?"

I could only smile faintly at his clearly genuine concern for me. Of course, he's concerned about me. Kaibigan ko siya kahit anong mangyari.