EDITED VERSION
*****
Althea's POV
I touched my head, merely opening my eyes. My head keeps on throbbing and it hurts. Akmang uupo ako nang may pumigil sa akin kaya agad akong napadilat at nakita si Cath.
"Hey, don't move. You're in the clinic. You should rest." She smiled and helped me to lay down again. Napalingon ako sa paligid, nandito silang lahat. Even Isaac. Cath covered me with a comforter.
"I'm sorry, 'Thea." It was Lydia, she walked closer to me and held my hand. "Huwag ka munang mag-isip masyado. We're sorry we put a lot of pressure to you earlier." She sounded so apologetic.
Nilingon ko naman si Kurt at Kristian na halatang ganoon din. I smiled. "It's okay. It's no big deal--"
"It is." Natahimik ako nang magsalita si Isaac. "Sabi ng doctor, kulang ka raw sa tulog at hindi ka pa kumakain. Do you want to die?" Halatang naiinis siya nang sabihin niya 'yon. Umiwas ako ng tingin.
Maybe that's the reason why I faint. I closed my eyes and thought about what happened awhile ago. Idinilat ko ang mata ko at tingnan sila. They're not okay and I can feel it. Pansin ko rin na hindi nila nilalapitan si Isaac.
"This is all my fault." I tried to sit again and looked at them. If I only knew I'll ruin this group, I shouldn't have gotten here.
"It's not, Althea. In fact, naiintindihan ko." Lydia smiled and caressed my shoulder. "Don't worry. We're not angry anymore. Isaac explained everything and he apologized."
Napatingin ako kay Isaac. We've been avoiding each other and he probably hates me by now, but he's still here.
"Pagaling ka. Babalik kami bukas, dito ka raw kasi muna hanggang ngayong gabi at bukas ka pa puwedeng lumabas," paliwanag ni Kurt. Nagpaalam sila sa akin at isa-isang lumabas. Hanggang si Isaac na lang ang natira.
"I don't want to talk--" hindi ko na natuloy pa ang sasabihin ko nang ilapag niya ang isang black envelope. It has golden letters embossed in it in a calligraphy style. I picked it up and read it.
You are invited on Magical University's Grand Magical Ball
Nangunot ang noo ko at tiningnan siya. "What am I supposed to do with this?" Hindi niya ako sinagot. Nanatili siyang tahimik. "Answer me."
"You said you don't want to talk," pamimilosopo niya. Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin kaya nagkibit-balikat siya. "It's an anual event on Magical University. Our group is invited. We are required to attend."
Iniabot ko 'yon sa kaniya. "I can't. I mean what I said earlier. I'm going back to my old life without you." Natahimik siya, ganoon din ako. For a minute, gusto kong sapakin ang sarili ko dahil sa sinabi kong 'yon.
He bit his lip. "Just tell me if you don't want to be my date. Hindi 'yong gagawin mong dahilan 'yong pag-alis mo." I know he's pissed, but I mean it.
"Isaac, isn't it obvious? I'm pushing you away--" he cut me off.
"Okay." Itinaas niya ang kamay niya na para bang sumusuko na siya sa pamimilit sa akin. "I just don't know why do you have to kiss me back and act like you didn't want it? But I felt it, Althea. And I know you're lying."
Tinalikuran niya ako at naglakad paalis. Napapikit ako, everything that we did that night, is true. It is. Pero natatakot ako. Tinanggal ko ang dextrose na nakakabit sa akin at tumakbo palapit sa kaniya.
"Isaac!" I called out his name. Natigilan siya sa paglakad at nilingon ako. I don't know why I'm doing this pero isa lang ang gusto ko ngayon, 'yong aminin sa kaniya 'yong totoo.
"I don't know anything about love or what makes you say you're in love. But I want you to know that what we had that night, it's true. And I kissed you back because I wanted to. I liked it so much, and..." Napapikit ako. Isinantabi ko ang lahat ng takot na nararamdaman ko nang mga oras na 'yon. Kung ano man ang kapalit nito, haharapin ko. "...if you're going to allow me and give me some time, I'll figure out what I truly feel for you."
He smiled, a genuine one that made my heart skip its beat. He has that effect on me. "I'll be by your side as you figure out what you feel for me, Althea." Iniabot niya sa akinv muli ang envelope na agad ko namang kinuha. "Will you be my date?"
Napakagat ako sa aking labi at tiningnan siya nang diretso sa mata. Siguro dati, hindi ko siya matingnan dahil natatakot ako. Pero ngayon, I can feel comfort when he's around. I haven't felt that before in my entire life, and I like that feeling. It felt like home.
"Yes." Tumango ako at ngumiti. This one is a sure smile, and I know it's because of him. "I'll be your date, Isaac."
Agad naman siyang umalis pagkatapos naming mag-usap dahil gabi na rin at kailangan ko ng magpahinga. I was about to sleep when someone knocked on the door.
Bumukas 'yon at bumungad sa akin si Hunter. "Hey, are you okay now?" nag-aalala nitong tanong. Tumango ako bilang sagot. Umupo siya sa edge ng kama at inayos ang comforter ko.
"Why are you here?" nagtatakang tanong ko. Siguro sinabihan din siya nina Cath na nadala ako rito sa clinic.
His lip rosed up, forming a fake smile. "I was about to ask you if you can be my date, but I guess someone came first." Nilingon niya ang envelope na nasa table sa gilid.
"Isaac asked me," sagot ko. Binalot kami ng katahimikan at ang bigat ng hangin. "W-We can dance. Isaac is my date, but no one said I can't dance with anyone, right?"
Tiningnan niya ako nang diretso sa mata at lumawak ang ngiti sa labi niya, but this time it was real. "Thank you. It's my honor." Kinuha niya ang kamay ko ay hinalikan ito.
"Oh, what a gentleman," pabiro kong sabi at nagtawanan kami. He stayed for a little time and left when it's already ten in the evening.
Nakatingala ako sa ceiling ng clinic habang iniisip ang lahat. Ang mga sinabi sa akin ni Mr. Hawkins, lahat nang 'yon ay tama at sa tingin nila ay makabubuti para kay Isaac.
But I can't see that look on his face anymore. He's hurt. Paano pa nga ba magiging tama ang isang bagay kung nagagawa naman nitong makasakit?
That's why I made my decision. Tama si Mr. Hawkins, I should do the right thing. And the right thing to do is stay by his side as he fight through his battles. I can't let him fight them alone. I'm not a coward.
Kinuha ko ang envelope na ibinigay sa akin ni Isaac at hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. "I guess he's my date, huh?"
*******
BINABASA MO ANG
Alexandria Academy
Fantasy"You knew how hard it was for me to trust people! You knew what I've been through, but you still broke me!" Althea Genovie grew up without someone to lean on. Kaya't sa tuwing may gustong pumasok sa buhay niya ay itinutulak niya palayo. Her life rev...
