Heartsick

Chapter 8: Closeness

Beatrice

The next morning, same routine. Bangon, ligo, bihis, breakfast, school. Naglalakad ako papunta sa room nang sinabayan ako ni Ricka.

"Are you mad at Kuya Red, Ate?" nahihiya niyang tanong.

"Nah." I smiled at her.

"You sure?" paninigurado niya and I just nodded.

Totoo naman. Okay na yun. Wala nalang yun sakin. After what I've realized, magagalit pa ba 'ko?

Pagkapasok namin sa room, dumiretso agad ako sa upuan ko at dumukdok doon. I'm a bit sleepy. Hindi ako gaanong nakatulog kagabi.

When I felt something soft touching my cheek, inangat ko ang ulo ko and saw a piece of paper on my armchair. And my heart dropped when I read the messy hand written message inside it,

Just wanted to say sorry again for what happened last night. Let me make it up to you. Later. Lunch. Cafeteria. —Redix G.

"From Batman again?" biglang sumulpot si Ricka sa gilid ko dahilan para malaglag yung papel.

My sleepy mode automatically switched off. Hindi ko na maialis sa labi ko ang ngiti nang harapin siya na nakaupo na sa chair ng Kuya niya—beside me, kaso laging unoccupied. Puro practice kasi sila.

"Actually, it's from your brother." sabi ko habang dinidikit yung note ni Redix sa journal ko. I really can't stop smiling. Seriously.

Her eyes widened, "Oh my ghad! Pabasa pabasa!"

Tumawa ako, "He's just asking me to have lunch later. Tapos nag-sorry ulit siya. You know."

"Ulit?" tumaas ang kilay niya, "Meaning—"

"Yes. He texted me last night. The reason why I have these dark bags under my eyes." sabi ko

I faced Ricka again—na nakanganga na ngayon. I even have to snap my fingers para matauhan siya.

"That's unusual—" hindi niya naituloy ang sasabihin dahil dumating na si Mrs. Lopez kaya mabilis siyang bumalik sa proper seat at nilingon ulit ako bago maglabas ng notebook. She smiled at me so I also did.

Lunch break. . . For the nth time, here comes the unbeatable drums. . . Nag-cr muna ako para magsuklay at magpolbo. I don't like make-ups, lipsticks, and such.

Hindi ko kasama si Ricka dahil sabay daw silang magl-lunch ni Yance ngayon—dahilan para tuksuhin ko siya kanina. Saktong kalalabas ko palang ng cr when my phone beeped. Kinuha ko 'yon at binasa ang message,

Ricka Gabriel:
Ate, kasama ko si Kuya. Another sorry to deliver, bukas nalang daw kayo mag-lunch. We're here at the hospital kasi. And guess what? A miracle came. Gising na si Mommy!!

Beatrice Scott (Ako):
That's good news. Thank God! And, tell Redix it's fine. Uhm, can I go there right now?

Ricka Gabriel:
I was about to suggest you that. So yeah, sure. Tita and Tito are also here. :)

Running, pumunta ako sa gym at agad na hinila ang kapatid ko papunta sa parking lot.

"What's going on? Can't you see? Nagpa-practice ako." reklamo niya

"Lunch break na. Gusto mo bang magka-ulcer ha? Pupunta tayo sa ospital, gising na si Tita Pat."

Lumiwanag ang mukha niya atsaka palang pinaandar ang kotse. Sa mga ganitong klaseng sitwasyon, madali lang ayain si Jameson. Besides, ka-close niya si Tita Pat. Not personally dahil minsan lang kami magkita-kita, but through facebook. Lagi silang magkachat.