Campus Royalties (Kingdom University, #1) | Published under Psicom Publishing

Chapter 9

I didn't know how many days had passed. Maybe even weeks? I lost track.

Everything was so hazy that when I first woke up, I slept again few minutes later. Naririnig ko ang ingay sa paligid ko pero wala akong lakas para manatiling gising. It was like drifting back to back from reality to dreams.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang araw pa ang lumipas, but one day, upon opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was Venice's face.

"Ate? Naririnig mo na ba ako? Nakikita mo na ako?"

I had to blink few more times to adjust my vision . . . just to make sure this was real. After several seconds, naging mas malinaw ang mukha niya. There was a cast around her arm and some scratches on her neckline.

I slowly shifted my gaze around. Wala ako sa kuwarto ko. But the room looked familiar . . . and I realized I was in the VIP room of one of the Shin's private hospitals.

Just then, memories before I lost consciousness came rushing in my mind. The terror after seeing the driver's face and knife. How I pushed Venice out of the taxi. And how we almost died.

Nang tingnan ko ulit ang mukha niya ay halu-halong emosyon ang naramdaman ko. I wanted to tell her I was so scared. That I thought I would lose her. That we would die. But no words came out of my throat. I couldn't even speak.

Tears started streaming down my face.

"A-ate? Oh my god, wait! Dad! Dad!"

Agad siyang tumakbo palabas ng room habang tinatawag si Dad at patuloy lang na umaagos ang luha sa sentido ko.

I'm so glad you're safe. I wanted to tell her that.

Few moments later, Dad came rushing in. May kasama rin silang doctor. I was still sobbing after the fear and worry caught up with me at lalo lang akong naiyak nang yakapin ako ni Dad.

"It's okay, it's okay now," malambing niyang bulong habang pinupunasan ang luha ko. "You're safe now."

***

"Steff, kaya mo na bang kumain mag-isa?" tanong ni Alice.

Dahan-dahan naman akong bumangon mula sa kama. It's been four weeks since the accident happened. The doctor said Venice was extremely lucky because she only got shoulder and ankle sprains, along with numerous shallow cuts across her arms and knees. Since I cushioned her fall and received the impact, I suffered from blunt force trauma and bone fractures. I underwent several surgeries and had to do physical therapy for at least six weeks, even longer if necessary. Mabuti na nga lang daw ay walang problema sa pelvis bone ko dahil kung 'yon daw ang na-fracture ay may probability na magkaroon ng problema sa paglalakad at balance.

My left arm was still in a cast since I had an elbow fracture. May cast din sa kaliwang paa ko. Still, I was thankful dahil left side ang medyo napuruhan instead of right. At least I could still be comfortable doing necessary things . . . like eating.

"Yeah, I can," sagot ko.

Laging dumadalaw sina Alice, Yna at Jess during the first two weeks, pero ngayong nasa period of recovery na ako ay once a week na lang. Mas madalas na nandito si Yna since may private room sila rito kaya siya rin ang nag-a-assist sa akin kapag hindi nakakapunta sina Venice at Dad.

"Jess, pa-copy pala ng notes."

"Grabe ka, ang GC pa rin kahit muntik ka nang ma-ano."

The classes I were in was informed about what had transpired and allowed me to still take special classes. Ayaw ko namang mag-drop at lalong ayaw kong mag-reflect 'yon sa transcript of records ko. Since may mga kakilala naman ako sa ibang class, nanghihiram na lang ako ng notes nila. Sa iba, in-email ko ang professors ko to have copy of slides if pwede tapos self-study na lang. Mabuti na nga lang at hindi pa panahon ng exams, pero may mga na-miss na akong quizzes and seatworks.