RIVALRY [ heesun ]

twenty nine.

"Oh my, I'm sorry!"

I continued running despite of me being clumsy. Nakatama na ako ng iilang tao dahil sa pagmamadali ko. I do hope they understand.

In the middle of chaos, my phone slipped on my pocket. Natigilan ako sa pagtakbo para pulutin ito.

"Please don't be crack.." I prayed matapos madampot ito. Thank heavens it is still working fine.

I turned it on and saw new messages from Aracosa. I immediately unlocked my phone to check it.

Keilo  @keircs_

We're still here in the ice cream parlor

"What?" Kumunot ang noo ko. I was already far from the university. Pasakay na nga ako ng taxi to the hospital!

Baka I was just overthinking the situation?

Please, please let Eloy be safe..

Tumungo ako ng ice cream parlor where we bought ice cream kanina. Lakad takbo na ang ginawa ko, rushing to know what had happened.

"Eloy?" Bumagsak ang balikat ko nang makita ang bata na nakaupo sa isang tabi, holding his foot.

Lumapit ako para suriin ito nang malapitan. It has a small cut, and it's bleeding. Mabuti na lang at natapalan ito agad ng tissue.

"Anong nangyari?" I don't want to sound rude but my frustration and anger makes it like that. Frustrated because I'm going on circles earlier, natataranta ako kung ano bang nangyari. Sinabayan pa ng inis dahil hindi ako nasabihan agad ni Aracosa.

I'm freaking worried!

Aracosa went near us and observed Eloy's wound. Kinuha niya ang used tissue at tinapon sa nearby trash can. Pinalitan niya naman ito ng bago.

"He was in a hurry. Tumakbo siya palabas ng shop and he hurt himself, tumama 'yong paa niya sa edge part ng upuan."

"And you didn't do anything about it?"

"I tried to stop him—"

"But you're too late! That's why nasugat siya, diba? I thought you will take care of him? Anong nangyari? Fake din ba 'yon just like how you show concern sa akin?"

"What? Where did that came from—"

"Oh, admit it! You were just talking to me and offering help to whatever the fuck's going on with my life right now because gusto mong matanggap ko ang result ng election. And for the record, you don't want others to think that you are actually mad at me, kaya ka nagbabait-baitan diba?"

"Aryse, hindi ganoon—"

"Tama na po.." I heard Eloy's tiny voice. I bent down to see him clearly. I looked into his teary eyes.

I comb his hair using my fingers at inayos ang gusot niyang damit. I took his hand and was ready to go out of the ice cream parlor when Aracosa spoke.

"Let me take him to the clinic, Aryse."

I stared at him with dark eyes, "No need. I'll take care of him now." Then we walk away from him.

Habang naglalakad, hindi ko talaga makalma ang sarili. I'm really pissed! May pa- Don't worry I'll take care of him pa siyang nalalaman, hindi rin pala niya kaya!

"Argh, I shouldn't have let you guys meet.."

I can just take care of Eloy myself. After all, I have the intention to take care of him talaga. Gusto ko siyang bigyan ng magandang kinabukasan. I want to help him in the best way I could. Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong ng iba 'no.