Apology Denied ==> gXg

Chapter 26

Lauren

"Lauren" Karla called when I didn't answer.

"Why do you asked?"

Napayuko sya bago binitawan yung kamay ko.

"I heard you talking to someone on the phone earlier, and I heard you said you were with a friend here in the infirmary, I don't want to assume but I'm the only one who's with you. Unless, it's the school nurse." She explained which caught me off guard.

I literally have nothing to say at the moment. My mind is too caught up by her blunt question of me being friends with her. Hindi ko rin alam sa sarili ko kung gusto ko syang maging kaibigan considering our past. She look at me expectantly as if pleading for me to say yes. But I don't know. I mean, if I happen to deny her then it will hurt her and I knew that isn't going to do any good considering she's not supposed to feel any more stress but I have to think of myself too.

"Hindi ako masasagot ng katahimikan, Lauren." Hinawakan nya ulit yung kamay ko. Gusto ko hilain para mabitawan nya ako pero hindi ko magawa, masyado akong naapektuhan sa sitwasyon nya ngayon. She's too fragile, one mistake and I will break her for sure. No one want that to happen again, not even me. May kasalanan man sya sakin at kahit gaano ko kagusto gumanti, hindi sa ganitong paraan. Hindi sa kanyang kalagayan.

"Gising na ba si Karla?" narinig kong tinanong ng nurse. Sa mga oras na yun, wala akong ibang ipinasasalamat kundi ang pagtanong ng nurse sa amin. She gave me a chance to escape that dreadful question.

"Uh.... Yeah she's awake." I turn my head to the nurse's direction together with Karla. Tumayo yung nurse at tinignan yung vitals ni Karla bago tumango.

"You can stay and rest a little more or you can go home" the nurse said to Karla. Pasimple kong tinanggal yung kamay ko sa hawak nya para hindi nya mapansin.

"Uuwi na po ako, wala naman po akong gagawin dito e. I'd rather lay in my own bed"

The nurse nodded "You can have your mom pick you up" she said.

" I don't think she can, she's on duty and I don't want her to cut to take me home, maglalakad nalang po ako"

"Uh......no! I'll take her home." sabi ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko sinabi yun. As if may nagsabi sa akin na ihatid sya at sinunod ko naman. They both look at me confused. Heck I'm confusing myself too.

"Karla, you have to thank Lauren for taking care of you today. She's done a lot for you" the nurse pointed. Karla on the other just nodded as if it wasn't a big deal. But it wasn't supposed to be a big deal, yet it is for me.

"You should go, she need to rest more"

---

The entire drive was silent, the most uncomfortable silence I've ever been in. Hindi ko alam kung anong tumatakbo sa isip nya. Basta sobrang hindi komportable ang pakiramdam ko.

"Am I in the right fronthouse?" I asked making sure that I'm in front of their house since it's only a house away from mine. She nodded and looked at me.

"The question earlier" she said. Oh no, not again. I thought I'd escape it earlier. Akala ko nakalimutan nya na. "Are you my friend? " she asked once again. That's when the cat got my tongue. I cannot speak. I cannot answer.

"Lauren, it's just a simple question. Bakit hindi mo ko masagot? "

"Simple para sayo Karla, magkaiba tayo" she removed her seatbelt to face me.

"We're not the same but the question is easy, even a kid could answer that" she reasoned. She have a point thought. It's a simple fucking question . A simple Yes or No would solve it but not for me.