YVES
"Maloi" narinig kong tawag niya, mahina lang pero sapat na para magpatigil sa akin.
"H-Hey, I c-came here because..." I started stuttering, my voice shaky as I struggled to find the right words.
Ano ba, Maloi? Bakit ka kinakabahan? My thoughts were racing, but I knew I had to say something anything, to break the tension hanging between us.
Nakita kong lumambot ang ekspresyon niya habang tumingin sa akin. "About earlier, I didn't mean all of the words I said" she began, her eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and sincerity.
There was a softness in her gaze that made my heart clench, like she was silently pleading for my understanding.
"That's why I'm avoiding you... Nakakapagsalita ako ng masama, but I'm in the process of changing that" she continued, her voice trembling slightly, as if admitting this took every ounce of courage she had.
Nasa ibang level na 'to. I felt a warmth spread through my chest as I listened to her, knowing how hard it was for her to be this vulnerable. I could see how much she was struggling with her own emotions.
I gave her a smile, yung walang halong pagpapanggap. "It's okay, Nico" I said softly, my voice steady and reassuring.
"Nagulat lang din ako sa mga nasabi mo, kaya tumakbo ako kanina. Don't worry I understand, and I'm here for you." I added.
I wanted her to feel safe with me, to know that no matter what, I wouldn't turn my back on her.
Nakakunot lang ang noo niya, tila naguguluhan sa mga sinabi ko. "What did you say again?" she asked.
Luh? Uulitin ko ba ulit? Grabe, naghalo na yung sinabi ko at sinabi ng utak ko. My mind raced, trying to figure out exactly what she was referring to, and a hint of panic started to set in.
Napansin niya siguro ang paghe-hesitate ko kaya nagsalita siya ulit, this time more gently. "After 'it's okay,' what did you call me?" she repeated, her eyes searching mine for an answer.
Oh shux, I called her Nico. Wait-bawal ba? My heart skipped a beat as I realized what I had said. I remembered how her mood shifted earlier when Nanang called her by Nicolette.
"Sorry, bawal ka din bang tawagin sa name na yun?" kinakabahan kung tanong. Or ako lang ang bawal tumawag?
"Uyab is fine" she said, her voice soft but steady, before brushing past me.
I stood there for a second, processing what she had just said, before quickly following her down the stairs. My mind was still spinning, but I had to clarify.
"Okay lang na tawagin kitang uyab kahit alam ko ang meaning?" I asked, hoping I wasn't overstepping any boundaries.
"Kesa naman anger, baka isipin ng makarinig lagi akong galit"
Bakit, hindi ba? Natatawang tanong ko sa sarili ko.
"Nagluto ka?" she asked softly as we walked toward the kitchen.
"Yes" I replied with a small smile. "Imposible na rin na makapagpaorder tayo dahil malakas na ang ulan sa labas." I could hear the rain pounding against the windows, a reminder na pwedeng nandyan na ang bagyo.
"You can sit here. Pagsisilbihan kita. I'm your uyab" biro ko pa sa kanya as I gestured to the chair.
Napapailing na lang siyang umupo. I busied myself setting the table, making sure everything was perfect. As I placed the plates in front of us, I couldn't help but feel a warm glow in my chest.
Yey, bati na kami.
Habang magkatapat kaming kumakain, I noticed the way she ate- mabagal at parang nanghihina. Parang wala siyang lakas. O baka naman hindi lang masarap ang luto ko?
Before I could ask her if everything was okay, isang malakas na kulog ang dumagundong sa buong bahay followed by a bright flash of lightning that lit up the room.
She flinched, her hands trembling as she dropped her spoon and fork, at pinikit ang mga mata na parang pilit na tinatanggal ang takot at ingay ng paligid.
"Uyab? Okay ka lang?" I asked gently, reaching out to take her hand that was resting on the table. Her skin felt warm-too warm.
Napatayo ako nang maramdaman kong mainit siya. Mabilis na nilagay ko ang palad sa kanyang noo to see if I'm not mistaken.
"Nilalagnat ka" I said na nagpataranta sakin.
"Pagod lang" bulong niya, marahang inalis ang kamay ko mula sa noo niya, but I wasn't convinced.
"Anong pagod lang? Kumain ka na para makainom ka na ng gamot" mariing sabi ko, na parang nanay na ang tono. Hindi ko mapigilan kasi nag-aalala talaga ako.
Without wasting any more time, I went to the medicine cabinet, quickly searching for something to bring down her fever. I double-checked the expiration date before grabbing the medicine and heading back to the table.
Pagbalik ko, patapos na siyang kumain.
"Drink this" mahina kong sabi habang inaabot ang gamot kasabay ng isang basong tubig. As I watched her take the medicine, napansin ko kung paano siya nagugulat tuwing kumikidlat.
"Magpahinga kana sa taas, uyab"
She glanced at my plate, noticing that I hadn't finished my meal. "Finish your food first" utos niya pa.
"Uubosin ko talaga. Kaya akyat ka na para makapagpahinga ka na" I reassured her, trying to ease her worries.
Umayos lang siya ng upo, shaking her head. "Finish your food first so we can go upstairs together" pag uulit niya pa at binigyan diin ang huling word na binitawan niya.
Napabuntong-hininga ako. Bago muling umupo sa kinauupuan ko kanina at mabilis kong inubos ang pagkain. After that, I stood up and washed the dishes.
Kumuha ako ng batya na may maligamgam na tubig at isang bimpo.
"Anong gagawin mo dyan?" she asked, a bit confused.
"If it's okay with you, I was thinking of wiping you down to help lower your fever. Pero kung ayaw mo-"
"I'm okay with that" sagot niya agad, no hesitation in her voice.
Sabay kaming umakyat papunta sa kwarto niya. While walking, I remembered my mom's story na galing din siya sa hirap bago niya nakilala si Daddy, and how she did this for me when I had a fever once.
Hindi naman sobrang taas ng lagnat niya based on the thermometer, so I wasn't too worried. I set the basin on the side table.
Kasabay ng isang malakas na kulog at kidlat ang pagpatay ng mga ilaw.
"Brownout?" tanong ko habang nangangapa sa dilim.
"Ganyan ka talaga, no? You ask obvious questions" she replied, a bit annoyed but it made me smile.
Mukhang magaling na siya dahil bumalik na ang pagiging masungit niya.
"May generator ba kayo?" tanong ko ulit.
"I'm not sure if it still works" she admitted, sounding a bit unsure.
"Siguro naman may flashlight kayo?" I asked, hoping for a yes.
"Meron, dyan sa first drawer. Kapain mo" she directed, pointing toward the bedside table sakto din ang pagliwanag dahil sa kidlat.
Mabilis kong nabuksan ang drawer at nakuha ang flashlight. Sinubukan kong buksan ito at laking ginhawa ko nang gumagana pa.
Sumulyap ako kay Nico, nakita kong nakatitig lang siya sa akin, para bang binabasa ang iniisip ko.
"Iiwan mo ako dito?"
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