T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 18

Day five. Supposed to be at the beach, working at this hour, but we're at home, trying to kill time together after he was discharged this morning. Raiver wasn't even joking around when he really paid the bill for Greg. Aside from that, Mama almost had a panic attack upon knowing what had happened, but thankfully my siblings calmed her down. Greg also requested her not to call my parents and tell everything. She didn't promise though, and I fear she will tell them without our knowing.

We were watching a movie when suddenly, I felt someone was staring at me. When I turned to my side, he's already mouth-opened. "Really? Hindi ka naman paralisa ah. Isang braso lang nasugatan. Ginagawa mo na ata akong nanny mo," I said as I shoved another pinch of popcorn into my mouth.

He's been like this since he came home. He frowned, crossing his brows. "Damot naman," he mumbled.

He has a cast on his arm while his legs are now completely fine. Glad he only had a minor injury, but the way he tries to get my attention from time to time is bothering me. He continued to mumble, while trying to enjoy the movie when a call rang my phone. Before I could take it, Greg did see whose name was on the screen, which winced him.

Nonetheless, I answered the call. "Hello, Raiver? Ba't napatawag ka?" I asked.

"Good morning. Just wanna ask if you'd still be coming today?"

I took a glance at Greg who seemed pretending that he's hearing nothing at all while staring at the TV. "Sorry, 'di ako makakapunta ngayon. Need ko pa alagaan si Greg while he's recovering," I replied.

"Okay. How about tomorrow? Gusto kasi namin na ikaw mag-lead sa mural sa store. And you know, the project has deadlines to meet. Ayaw rin namin ma-delay 'yong main event," he asked again, seemingly eager to know my further plans.

"Uhm... Siguro, I'll let you know after ko mag-decide. I'll call you back later," I said.

"Great. Thanks, Icarus."

Just right after he ended the call, Greg stood all of a sudden without any word. Here he goes, grumping again.

I have to figure out why he's acting like this. I can't let this happen over and over again or else, this might get worse.

I walked to my room and just before I could totally open the door, I caught him talking over his phone. When I recognized who he was facing at the screen, I didn't want to come in anymore. It was his parents—no, not just them, but with his older sisters. I'll be in trouble.

"Di ba sabi ko sa'yo, Gregory? Mag-iingat ka d'yan? Anong nangyari sa kamay mo?!" his Mom, almost yelling at him.

"Nasaan si Icarus? Gusto namin siya makausap," one of his sisters asked.

"No, it's not his fault, okay? I tripped and had a bad fall. Don't ever blame him kasi wala naman siyang kasalanan in the first place," he explained.

"Gregory, alam mo namang hindi namin malaman kaagad ang kalagayan mo dahil sa sobrang layo ng dinayo mo. Buti na lang, nagsabi sa akin 'yong nanay ni Icarus sa akin na may nangyari sa'yo. Paano na lang kung naaksidente ka ulit d'yan? Pa'no kung mawalay ka kay Icarus? Sa tingin mo, makakauwi ka pa ba?"

Mama really did tell them. I just sighed, upon hearing about it.

"Ma, don't worry about me anymore. Mag-iingat na talaga ako. Promise," he said.

"No, you're going home as soon as possible. Packed up your things because your Ate will fetch you there," his Dad now spoke.

"Ma—"