Takipsilim

Chapter 6: Fix You

Katherina was heartbroken beyond words. The closest family member she had next to her mom despises her and asked her to stay away.

Tears were clouding her eyes. Her head was spinning and she was running out of breath.

She knew that she was falling and that her head may hit the hard ground if she didn't catch herself.

Why is this body so weak? Why am I so weak? She asked herself.

She tried to hold on to anything but she cannot.

Katherina thought she will fall into the ground and hurt herself more.

But she didn't.

Strong, firm, and warm arms caught her and held her gently.

"Let me help you." A familiar voice echoed.

Katherina had never felt that safe in her entire life.

And then suddenly, everything went black.

-----

Katherina woke up and found herself lying down on a bed in the university clinic.

"Ms. Hontiveros, finally you're awake. Kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo?" The friendly school nurse smiled at her. Katherina stared at the health worker's perfect set of pearly whites.

"Uhm, medyo okay naman na po ang pakiramdam ko, Ma'am."

"Are you under stress lately? You look so pale lalo na kanina. Kumain ka ba ng lunch?"

Sadyang mahina at sakitin lang po ako, Katherina wanted to say.

"Marami lang po akong iniisip, Ma'am. And konti lang po ang kinain ko kanina kasi wala akong gana masyado."

"Naku, kayo talagang mga estudyante. I heard you're a really promising student. Your professors at the College of Fine Arts and Design are praising you always." Halata sa boses ng nurse ang pag-aalala. "Take care of yourself more, ija. Okay?"

Ngumiti si Katherina sa mabait na nurse. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Bibilhan sana kita ng pagkain pero another student insisted on doing it, para daw makapagfocus ako sa pagdalo sa'yo." Nagtataka si Katherina dahil ang lawak ng ngiti ng kausap na babae. "Siya rin ang nagdala sa'yo dito. Ang swerte mo. Any girl in this university would do everything to be in your place now."

"P-po?" Takang tanong ng dalaga.

"Nurse Adela, nakabili na po ako. Are these enough?"

Isang binata ang pumasok sa clinic na may dala-dalang isang sandwich, apple, and fresh orange juice.

Katherina's jaw dropped.

Yael Hontiveros, still clad in his basketball jersey, was looking at her with worrying eyes.

"How are you feeling, Katherina?"

She felt her cheeks burn and her tongue twist.

"U-uhm, m-medyo okay n-naman na. Salamat." Sagot nito. She cannot look him straight in the eye. Nahihiya siya sa binata.

Of all people! Si Yael pa! Huhuhu.

"Maiwan ko muna kayong dalawa. May isang volleyball player na nainjure daw at kailangang puntahan ko ngayon sa gymnasium." Nagmamadali ang nurse. "Yael, please make sure Katherina gets to eat what you brought, okay? Kailangan may laman ang tiyan niya before I give her meds." Pakiusap ng nurse sa binatang Ahren.