Beyond Obsession

CHAPTER 2

I woke up at 6:30. "I want to sleep more," I said in a sleepy voice.

Feel ko pa lalagnatin ako. Ayyy nilalagnat na nga. But I need to go to work today.

Can't miss work, though - too many absences already. Time to get up, shower, and prep for the day.

"Good morning, Yamira," my coworker Jenna greeted with a smile

"Good morning, Jenna," I replied.

"Okay ka lang ba?" she asked.

"Oo naman" I said.

"Ayy tehhh, mukhang hindi ka okay. Maputla ka," Jenna said with concern.

"Okay–"

"I didn't finish speaking when suddenly I felt dizzy and my vision blurred.

"Hala! Yamira!" Jenna shouted in alarm.

Before I lost consciousness, Zey arrived.

I woke up, I was already in the hospital.

"How are you?" Zey asked.
"Don't move for now, it'll hurt your head," Zey said.

"It already hurts," I said with a laugh. Zey just glared at me.

Soon after, Tita and Tito arrived.

"Yamira, how are you? Are you in pain? Do you want some food?" Tita asked worriedly.

"Okay lang po–"

"Hindi iyan okay." Zey said, arms crossed.
"Your fever keeps coming back, Yamira. You need rest."

Tita and Tito agreed. "You should stop working for now."

Alarmed, I protested, "No, Tita! I need to work; otherwise, who'll pay my tuition?"

"I want to help you, but you refuse." Zey said.

"Because-"

"Because you're stubborn," Zey said.

"I'm embarrassed," I replied.

"You're embarrassed with me?" Zey retorted.

"Listen, Yamira... I'm willing to help you. But you're the one who doesn't want it. If you don't want my help, go ask Tita instead."

"But..." I said hesitantly. I looked at Zey, who raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to finish.

"Pag ikaw hindi sumama kila Tita I won't talk to you. I swear."

"Zey naman...."

""I'm not joking. You don't want my help anyway. So, just accept Tita's help.
Do you want me to worry about you all the time? You don't want that, do you? Do you want Sapphire to get mad at you too?"

Zey sat down beside me.

Tita sat on the other side of the bed, silently listening, while Tito went out.

"Ilang sermon pa ba, Yamira?" Zey asked.

"Just go with Tita. Sapphire and I will visit you. Tita's been coming back and forth just to convince you. Don't you feel sorry for her?"

"Pero-" I didn't finish speaking when someone interrupted.

"Just agree already, Yamira! If I were you, I'd say yes right away. No second thoughts!"

I was startled, thinking who it was, but it was just Sapphire.

"I was startled! I didn't know you were there," I said.

"I've been here all along, duh!" Sapphire replied with a glance at Tita.

"Tita, can I be adopted too? Hehe," Sapphire joked.