MISSING PIECE (rastro fanfic)

24: The Feeling is Mutual

"Siguro nga... Siguro nga, in love ako... Oo, in love nga 'ko siguro sa'yo."

Pagkatapos nang biglaang confession ni Glaiza sa'kin, we were both stunned. No one dared to speak up, or at least, to react. I don't know what to say. I'm just looking intently at her. Ano bang dapat kong sabihin? Joke ba 'to? Tatawa na ba 'ko? Or prank 'to? Where's the cameras?

I'm about to say something but I felt my head's spinning like literally and figuratively. I can sense that my eyes are fluttering and I can barely see her vividly.

She possibly noticed the changes in my actions, so the look on her face changed. She also held me by my right arm and asked me if I'm okay. I nodded. But next thing I know, I passed out.

---

I gradually opened my eyes. White ceiling, and white walls around me. Obviously, I am in a room but definitely, it's not mine. I tried to move but my body aches, and there's a dextrose na nakakabit sa right hand ko. I can also hear the ticking of the machine beside me. Teka, why am I in the hospital?

I tried to remember what happened. After some time, naalala ko na. The squad and I picked Camila up in the airport, then Glaiza punched Benj on his face. After that, I dragged her somewhere far from our friends, and there where Glaiza's unplanned confession happened. I was about to confess my love too as a response but I failed 'cause I passed out.

My head's still aching but moments later, I can hear Ann's loud voice and James' laugh and they finally made it inside my hospital room.

"Ayan! Gising na pala ang prinsesa! Good morning, Princess Rhian." She mocked me habang hawak ang sides ng ng dress niya at nag-bow as a sign of respect. Halata namang pinipigilan ni James na matawa lalo.

I rolled my eyes at her and focused on James. "Since when I've been here?"

"Toroy ni Ateng! Na-comatose lang ng dalawang buwan, nag-i-English na! Woo! Ako nga din, magpapaka-comatose para maging English-era ako." Ann's banter with matching tawang malakas.

If hindi lang ako nanghihina, sinapak ko na 'tong babaeng 'to, e. Pero what? Ako? Comatose ng dalawang buwan? How come?

"Two months?" I kinked my eyebrows. "Ganun katagal? Where's the squad? Nasan si... Glaiza?"

I hesitated to utter her name. I just but I don't know why. Ann's facial reaction softened. Kung kanina, tawang-tawa siya, ngayon naman, seryoso na siya at tila malungkot. Anong nangyayari? Bakit kinakabahan ako?

"Uh. Ate Rhian... Ate Ann... I think I should go now. Mom texted me to go home to take care of Ryle. I'll just get back and see you by tomorrow." She leaned in me to kiss me on my forehead. "Get well soon, Ate. Ryle misses you so much. Of course, we also miss you."

"Don't make it hard for her, Ate, 'kay?" I can barely hear her whisper to Ann and hugged her. "Phone me later po."

Ann nodded and we followed James by her gaze who walked out the door. And she refocused on me. Still, seryoso ang mukha.

"What's that look? Anong nangyayari? May nangyari ba... habang tulog ako?" I'm stuttering. I can feel na may something... na may nangyaring hindi maganda.

Sarah fidgeted her hand while looking down and not meeting my gaze. "Rhian... Ano kasi... 'Wag kang mabibigla, ha?"

She looked at me for a while pero inalis din niya agad 'yung tingin niya sa'kin.

"Can you just spill the bean? Pinapakaba mo 'ko lalo, e." I said almost shouting.

She walked towards on my left side and caressed my arm closest to her. I looked at it and saw an unhealed wound. It's not that deep, I know, but something felt strange.