The Archer

Chapter 13

After all that crying we decided to go to the mall to eat lunch. Huminto muna kami ng convenience store at si Zari lang ang bumaba, pagbalik niya ay may dala na siyang isang pint ng ice cream at chocolates. Iyon ang kinain ko habang nasa byahe kami.

"Can you walk?" She asked.

Nakaalalay lang siya sa akin, maayos naman na ang pakiramdam ko pero may mga pagkakataon na nahihilo pa rin ako. I still have to go to the hospital since may mga tests pa na kailangang gawin, this is not a first time so I know it might be risky kung hahayaan ko lang.

"I'm good, I just need to eat carbonara then I'll be fine na." Pagbibiro ko pa.

She smiled then pinched my nose after.

Dito kami nagpunta sa isang Italian restaurant, favorite ko 'tong kinakainan actually dahil masarap ang mga pasta nila.

"My cousin already booked a reservation, her name is—"

Hindi na natuloy ni Zari ang pakikipag-usap sa receptionist nang may biglang lumapit sa amin.

"Ven!" Excited niyang sabi sabay mahigpit na yumakap sa akin.

Alana?

It's really her!

I hugged her back then examined her whole body after, she has changed a lot.

We went to our table na at pagkaupo pa lang ay wala ng tigil si Lana sa pagdaldal sa akin, she's sitting next to me and keeps on blabbering things. I missed her so much.

"What happened to your forehead pala?" She asked.

"Uhm, wala 'to. I bumped into something lang." Pagdadahilan ko.

Yung titig ni Zari na hindi niya nagustuhan ang sagot ko, hindi naman na kailangan pa sabihin na tinulak ako sa hagdan. Ayaw ko na ngang maalala pa 'yon eh.

Habang kumakain kami ay hindi kami natigil sa pag-uusap, ilang times din akong sinaway ni Zari at kumain daw muna ako.

"I'll just go to the restroom." Paalam ko sa kanilang dalawa.

Ramdam ko ang pag-aalala ni Zari sa titig pa lang niya sa akin.

My head is aching, I had to keep my balance para hindi ako matumba. I looked on the mirror para mag-retouch, magang-maga ang mata ko. I will never cry the same way I cried earlier ever again.

I was busy applying lipstick when the door opened, nag-give way pa ako dahil medyo nakaharang ako sa daan but the I heard that someone who just entered the restroom locked the door.

The next thing I know Zari is already cornering me, ang dalawang kamay niya ay nakahawak sa sink. I'm facing her now and it's so hard to act cool when she's this close.

"Zari..."

"Sorry, I'm just worried." She said while intently looking at me.

Every time kapag tumitingin ako sa berde niyang mga mata, I feel like I'm lost in a good way. Like, I should only focus on her. I don't mind getting lost as long as it's her.

"You don't have to worry, okay na ako, ang hina nga ng tulak ni Tiffany eh." Pagbibiro ko pa.

But she's so serious at halatang hindi nagustuhan ang sinabi ko.

"Honey, do you know how hard I tried to act composed and calm earlier?" She asked then planted a soft kiss on the tip of my nose.

"Do you how much I wanted to just push her down the stairs just like what she did to you? I remained calm because you told me to."

She then sniffed my neck, her lips is already touching the sensitive part of my neck and I just know na hindi na naman normal ang paghinga ko.

"I know I'm a loser for listening to you every time, I would definitely do everything you ask me to."