Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 49

Earlier

Kio and Gaille are currently right outside their classroom right now as they wait for their instructor to arrive. As they past time, Gaille's reviewing her notes while Kio's just talking to the tall girl.

"Dito lang talaga 'ko confident na maipapasa ko."

Gaille just nods constantly, and sometimes respond shortly, to her friend. She doesn't seem to be that fazed at all as she looks so focused on reading.

"You love social studies, right? Maybe that's why. Our specialized subject exam is about social sciences, maybe that's why." Gaille replied, her eyes not leaving its gaze towards her notes.

"Siguro nga. Pero sa tingin mo ba maganda i-take ang educ na course ta's major ko social studies?" Kio wondered, hoping for a great advice from Gaille.

"I mean, I guess if that's what you want..?" Gaille shrugged, flipping over the next page of her notebook. "You never considered taking legal management?"

"Hindi ko naman bet mag-law, Gab, eh. Kaya mo na 'yan, masipag ka naman. Pangarap ko lang naman sa buhay ay maging baby ni Madi."

Gaille stifled a laugh at what Kio last said. "Pretty sure you've accomplished that already."

"Oo, kaya masaya na ko!" Kio happily exclaimed. "Ay, speaking of, napag-usapan namin ni Mads 'yan eh. Educ din pala gusto niya tapos major in early childhood. Hilig kasi sa mga bata. Ako ewan if itutuloy ko, sa ikli ba naman ng pasensya ko."

Before Gaille could give her response, they suddenly heard footsteps coming their way. She looked up to see if it was their instructor, but to her surprise, it was Mich who's looking so sluggish and tired, just like before.

"Oh, MJ? Anyare sa'yo? Mukha kang lantang gulay." Kio questioned, worried about her friend's current state right now.

"You look so pale. Are you sure you can take the exams still?" Gaille asked out of concern, closing her notebook in order to check out Mich's condition.

"I'm okay, guys... Just a little under the weather but I'll be fine." Mich answered with a hoarse voice, which really didn't help with easing her friends' worries.

Gaille placed a palm over the red-head's forehead, flinching as soon as their skin made contact. "You're burning. I don't think you should proceed with taking the exams in this condition."

Kio nodded in agreement. "Oo nga, MJ, baka mas lalong lumala pa kundisyon mo."

"Don't worry, I can still—" As Mich insisted on continuing, her knees suddenly weakened, her body unconsciously collapsed.

"MJ!" Kio exclaimed while Gaille quickly moved forward to catch her before she hit the ground. The notebook she'd been holding fell to the floor, forgotten.

"I'll carry her on my back. We have to take her to the clinic immediately."

"Sige sige. Assist na lang kita mula sa likuran."

Gaille nodded and carefully moved Mich. With the help of the Kio, she was able to secure Mich and carry her safely towards the clinic.

Habang nagmamadali silang pumunta sa clinic, they passed by Allianah, Jordyn and Sydney by the hallways. Their expression changed as soon as they saw them.

"Is that Mich? What happened?" Allianah asked in concern.

"I don't know pero mukhang may 'di magandang nangyari." Jordyn responded, her expression filled with worry before turning towards Sydney. "Diba magkasama kayo kanina? 'Di mo ba napansin na 'di siya okay?"

"Napansin ko na kanina na she kinda look pale but when I asked her about it, she just said na she's fine then dismissed the topic. Ayoko na nga rin siyang papasukin kaso sobrang stubborn niya." Sydney answered honestly, sighing out of anxiousness seeing her best friend in that condition.

"Let's visit her later after the exams. Hopefully she'll be a lot better by then." Allianah suggested in which the two agreed on.

Though Jordyn and Sydney were worried, Allianah felt her heart clutch seeing Mich's state earlier. And she's afraid to know what's the reason for it.

---

Present Time

Gaille and Serena were just on their usual routine after school. After the older's request for Serena to accompany her earlier, they went towards the convenience store for ice cream, like the usual.

As they talk by the footbridge, Gaille told Serena what happened earlier. She may not look like it, but she's extremely worried for whatever's happening to Mich right now.

"I'm not a very vocal person when it comes to my frustrations. But, I swear, if Mich's being like this right now because of her girlfriend..." Gaille's voice trailed off, a mix of worry and frustration evident.

Serena nodded, understanding the weight of Gaille's concerns. "You know, minsan, 'yung long-distance relationships talaga, it takes a toll on people. Pero based naman sa alam natin tungkol sa kanila, walang kasalanan si MJ. It's Jaz who doesn't understand their situation right now. Siguro unlike before, wala nang masyadong time ngayon si MJ for their relationship kasi nga busy sa studies. I mean, hindi naman siguro sa walang time. Compared lang siguro before na baka 24/7 silang magkasama."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Gaille admitted. "I know how important Jaz is for Mich, but it's like she's slowly losing herself in the process."

Serena was silent for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "If that's the case, baka kailangan niya talagang pag-isipan kung ano ba talaga ang best for her. You know, self-care din dapat."

Gaille stared out into the distance, her mind racing with thoughts of her friend's situation. "I just hate seeing her like this, Serena. She's not as open to us as before because we're making her realize the truth. She probably took it as we're badmouthing Jaz."

"Hayaan mong si MJ ang maka-realize, Gaille. 'Wag kang mag-alala, mangyayari rin 'yan soon." Serena assured, giving Gaille a pat on her back. "Speaking of opening up, you wanted me to accompany you habang kausap mo dad mo, diba?"

Gaille finished the last bit of her ice cream before nodding at Serena. "Yeah. I guess it's time that I let my father explain his side. I'm getting tired of our family's set up anyway."

Serena and Gaille threw their ice cream cups on a nearby trash bin and started walking towards their favorite spot— the footbridge.

As soon as they reached the place, the surroundings were filled with noisy honks from the cars passing by under the footbridge. Serena even flinched by the amount of noise she's hearing as she leaned against the railings.

"You sure you wanted to take the call here? It's too—"

But instead of receiving an agreement or objection, she felt a hand slipped under hers, which caught her off guard. She looked at her right side to see Gaille looking at her with a small, yet sincere smile that she had never seen before.

"This is perfect. Just stick with me, okay?"

"Is Gaille's voice usually that low? O baka naman I'm just overthinking things?" Serena wondered.

But instead of letting her mind get stuck towards it, she gave a nod at Gaille, giving back the smile she received from the older.

Gaille, receiving the unspoken message from Serena, heaved a deep sigh before taking out her phone, dialling the numbers she never thought of ever calling again.

Dialling 09** *** ****...

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