The Boss' Nerd

Wasted (2)

Pagkagaling sa hospital, Richard went to one of his buddy's house, Kris.  He was a friend ever since they were kids, apparently, he they had a quarrel way back, when he started to rebel.  Nagtataka nga siya bakit of all people to look for, si Kris ang unang pumasok sa isip niya, plus he even entered his territory again. 

Before he was able to press the door bell, he was surprised to see Kris opening the gate for him.

"Hello, prodigal friend! Its been awhile! How are you?" Kris said.
"Not fine! Definitely not fine!" Richard blurted out.
"Pasok! I am just waiting for you, tol!" Kris said and opened the gate widely for him to enter.
"No work today?" Richard asked.
"Rest day today! Good timing ka pa din! Kumain ka na?" Kris asked.
"Don't have appetite, Tol!" Richard said.
"Tell me! No holds bar!" Kris said after sitting down.
Sinabi niya lahat ng nangyari for the past months of rebellion, his escapades, the emptiness, the hatred, everything except regarding the nerd.

Kris just listened to his side, his story.  He didn't comment, nor tried to stop him when he started to cry, when he started to break down.  He let him feel the pain, the hatred and the sadness.  After his outburst, he asked.

"Nakawala ka ba?" Kris asked after his outburst.
"Shit, Tol! Walang pasakalye? Walang simpatiya?" Richard said.
"Bakit pa? Kailangan mo ba ng awa?" Kris said.
"Hell, no!" Richard said.
"Ayun naman pala e! So answer me, nakawala ka ba?" Kris asked again.
Richard, kept his silence for a while, contemplating...
"Hindi! The hallow is still there.  The pain, the emptiness! Kahit ilang babae at bote ng alak, walang nakatanggal pagkatapos ng moment.  Pagkagising ko, ganun pa din! Ganun pa din, kasakit, ganun pa din kalungkot!" Richard blurted out.
"So what, rather who struck you with lightning?" Kris said.
"Huh? What do you mean by who?" Richard asked.
"What made you think differently? Bakit ngayon lang? What happened?" Kris asked point blank!
Richard, then, remain silent after the questions.  Hindi niya alam ang sagot sa mga tanong ni Kris.  Hindi niya alam, naguguluhan siya!
"Pare, okay lang kung hindi mo masagot sa ngayon pero at least happy ako na someone or something was able to make a crack on that thick wall you have made yourself.  At least someone was able to scratch that wall.  So let's eat?" Kris said.

Richard remained silent and was about to nod at his friend when they heard Kris' little sister blurted out.

"Wow! Ang lupit ni Ate! Napatumba yung snatcher! Who would have thought! A nerd, makakapatumba ng snatcher! At ang lupit ng motorbike niya!" Ryzza said.

Something snapped at Richard's mind and ran towards the direction of the living room where the TV was set, heart pounding!

"Pare, anong???" Kris said and immediately followed Richard.

"What the -- Nerd?" Richard gasp upon seeing the face on the TV.  May screen shot ng face ni Maine, few seconds before she was able to turn around and sped off on her motorbike.

"Nobody knows the identity of the woman hero but one thing is for sure, she is indeed our hero for today! This is Tina-Panganiban for News Flash."

Richard, dialed Paolo's number, after a few seconds, Paolo answered...

Richard : How is Maine?
Paolo: She's fine, why?
Richard : Have you watched the news?
Paolo : Nope!
Richard : Where is she?
Paolo : She is being tended at the ER, she has a long gush on her arm, like a cut! Why?
Richard : Make sure she won't leave the hospital.  I am coming over!
Paolo : What??? Why???
Richard just turn off the phone ending the call..

"Tol, alis muna ako! Salamat sa oras at sa pakikinig!" Richard said, walking out the door.
"Ha??? Bakit? Sino ba ang nerd na yun?" Kris asked, surprised.
"Fiancée ko!" Richard answered without thinking...
"What???" Kris was left dumbfounded.

Richard was about to close his car when Kris shouted.
"Tol, sandali! Sama ako!" Kris said running after Richard and opened the shotgun seat right away para wala ng protesta. Richard, drive himself to the hospital without speaking.  Kris, can sense his agitation and anger, he decided not to pester Richard for a while.  After almost thirty minutes, they reached the hospital and was greeted by Paolo, habang inaalalayan si Maine palabas ng ER.  May benta ang braso...

"Ang lakas ng loob mong umeksena tapos masasaktan ka lang???!!" Richard can no longer contain the anger shouted.
"Anong???" Paolo said.
"Ako nga tigilan mo, Devil! Wala ako sa mood makipagtalo sa iyo ngayon! Madami akong dapat gawin!" Sigaw ni Maine pabalik sa binata..
"E kung hindi ka ba naman mayabang at pakialamera e di sana, hindi ka nagkaganyan!" Richard said.
"E siraulo pala talaga to e! Bes, ilayo mo ako sa hambog na ito, tatamaan sa akin to!" Maine said.
"Tol, ano ba yan? Babae yan, may injury pa, bakit mo siya sinisigawan?" Kris suddenly said and stopped Richard for shouting.

Richard suddenly realized the situation, at parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig at bigla na lang tumahimik.
"Hello, I am Kris, RJ's friend... How's the hero?" Kris said.
"What do you mean hero?" Maine asked.
"Ummm, you haven't heard the news today? Ummm, the incident was aired and your heroism was praised!" Kris explained.
"What???? Bes, what should we do? What should I do?" Maine started to panic.
"Bes, ano ba ginawa mo?" Paolo asked.
"Nagpatulog lang naman siya ng snatcher... And the odd thing is, she don't want to be a hero but they were able to got stills of her kaya ayun nakabandera lang naman sa media yung mukha niya!" Richard said.

"Bes, kaya pala may mga ibang tingin sa akin ang mga tao e!" Maine said, and since aware na siya, looked down to hide her face. 

"Naku, bes! Ano ba yan? Paano na yan pag nalaman nila Tito yan??? Yari tayo!!!" Paolo said, panicking as well. 
Maine was about to hit him on his head when her phone rang...

Paolo looked on Maine's phone screen...
"Bes, si Nico!!! Yari tayo!!!" Paolo said.
"Pero, I am on my disguise, paano niya ako makikilala?" Maine just blurted out.

"Disguise???" Kris and Richard, in a high pitch, blurted out.

"Ano ba yang disguise na yan!" Richard angrily said.