Double Take

Chapter 21

Orange

"Kumusta si Reena?"

Rael's eyes widened when he saw me outside the hospital room that Reena was occupying. It was almost twelve midnight and he must have thought that I went home already after Tita Danna arrived three hours ago. Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa bench at maingat niya namang isinara ang pinto nang hindi inaalis sa akin ang mga mata.

"She's fine now... bumaba na ang lagnat niya." He uttered in a slow manner. It was so obvious that he was still processing the fact that I am still here, waiting.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa narinig. "Mabuti naman kung gano'n..."

He licked his lips. He looked weary. Mas lumapit siya sa akin at kaagad na naupo sa bench. I turned to him and watched him settle down first. He must have been so stressed earlier.

Mabagal siyang nag-angat ng tingin. "Bakit hindi ka pa umuuwi? Anong oras na oh... Baka nag-aalala na sa'yo mga kasama mo sa bahay—"

"I already contacted them. Don't worry." I said in a cheerful tone before I sat beside him. His head immediately moved to face me, waiting for more words. I smirked and tapped his shoulder. "At okay lang naman na magpuyat ako ngayon. Sabado naman bukas. Walang pasok."

Tumango siya sa naging sagot ko. He then leaned in on the wall behind and closed his eyes. He looked so damn tired. Samantalang busog na busog naman ako sa natatanaw. From his slightly furrowed brows, long lashes, finely sculpted nose, plump lips, and prominent adams apple. I would stay up all night and never get sleepy if this is my view 'til morning.

"Kumain ka na ba?" Tanong ko nang mapagtantong baka hindi pa. Hindi siya sumagot na nagpalakas lang sa hinala ko. I sighed before I slowly got up. Napadilat siya ng tingin, nagtataka sa biglaang pagtayo ko.

Kinusot niya ang mata niya. "Where are you going?"

I tilted my head. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon lang ay baka naasar ko na siya. Kasi bakit siya nagtatanong? Ayaw niya ba akong umalis?

I wanted to smirk so bad but I stopped myself.

Ano 'yan Rael? Miss mo 'ko kaagad?

"I'll buy you dinner. What do you want?" Masuyong tanong ko. Nakakahabag naman kasi ang tutor ko na 'to. Anong oras na pero hindi pa pala nakakain ng hapunan? Paano kung mangayayat siya? Eh di mababawasan niyan kagwapuhan niya?

Hindi yata pwedi 'yon...

Tumayo siya. "Sasama ako..."

Kung nagulat man ako, mabilis lang 'yon.

"Alright,"

Nauna siyang naglakad at nakasunod naman ako. I just noticed now that he was still on his pair of dark blue pajamas. Samantalang naka uniporme pa naman ako. My white polo was unbuttoned from top to bottom showing my black shirt and dogtag underneath.

So far from being a model student like him huh?

Napangisi nalang ako.

Gusto niyang bumalik kaagad ng hospital kaya nagdrive thru lang kami sa isang kilalang fast food. Now we're back in the hospital's parking lot, still inside the car. He's peacefully eating his food while I was just existing. Admiring even the way he eats.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at mabilis siyang kinunan ng litrato. I chuckled when the flash attacked his face. Nakalimutan kong naka-on pala iyon. Nahuli niya tuloy ako at sinubukan pang agawin ang cellphone ko para siguro burahin ang picture niya.

"Huwag ka ngang malikot! Just eat, alright?" Kunwari'y angal ko kahit ang totoo ay natutuwa ako sa biglaang paglapit niya. Mabilis kong itinago ang cellphone ko nang huminahon siya at umatras.