I fell in love

Chapter 5

My eyes opened slow, like they forgot how. Everything was heavy. My lashes clung together and the room felt dim, quiet, far away.

I didn’t plan to sleep. I wasn’t tired, not really. Just… off.

My head was fuzzy, my chest tight, like something had been sitting there for a while.

Nakita ko kung panong nataranta si Althea habang hinahawakan at pinapakiramdaman ang leeg ko gamit and likuran ng kaniyang palad.

The second she noticed my eyes were open, her whole body jolted.

Like the panic she had been trying so hard to keep together just snapped at the edges.

And I just lay quietly, not sure where I had been or what was happening, only that she was the first thing I saw and she was scared out of her mind.

Hindi na ako masyadong nahihilo, nanginginig nga lang sa lamig. Sanay naman na ako na ganito yung nangyayari sa akin kapag nauulanan.

Hindi naman ako sobrang sensitive sa ulan, nasobrahan lang talaga kanina.

"A-Althea.." nauutal at halos pabulong na saad ko.

Our eyes met, mukhang kanina pa siya nandirito. Namamawis yung noo niya, patay ang AC at may hawak siyang face towell.

"Anong masakit?" She asked.

I smiled at her. Umusod ako ng konti para magka-space sa gilid ko.

Mukhang hindi niya naunawaan ang ginawa ko at hindi siya tumabi sa akin despitee the space that I made beside me.

"Mariz.... hindi ka pa kumakain." Sambit niya bago mag iwas ng tingin.

"Mag bihis ka muna, nakahubad ka." Saad pa niya bago bumaba sa kama. "Iaakyat ko dito yung pagkain mo. Iiinit ko na lang muna."

I checked my body under the sheets. She was right, I'm topless. The only thing that's covering my body is my brassiere and the thick duvet.

"Dito ka lang." She turned around to face me as I said that.

"You need to eat." Kita ko ang pag tanggi sa boses niya.

Alam kong gusto niya kumain ako, pero kasi, hindi naman ako nagugutom. Besides, I'm fine now. Mas gusto ko siyang makatabi.

It wasn’t hunger I needed to fix. It wasn’t even comfort in the way hot soup or sweet things are supposed to soothe me.

The room was dim, just the soft yellow glow from the bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls.

The air was heavy, warmer than usual from the AC being off, like even the air had grown tired.

I didn’t need food. I needed her weight in the bed. Her breathing near mine. Her warmth to quiet the storm that had no name.

I tried to reach for her more. To my surprise, she actually moved closer.

Unti unti, inilapit niya ang kaniyang palapulsuhan, letting me hold it as I reach for her.

"Mamaya na lang." Sambit ko matapos dahan-dahang umahon.

Hindi siya sumagot doon. Her lips were kept sealed as if she's not allowed to talk.

"Please, dito ka muna." Marahan kong sabi, waiting to see a reaction from her face.

"Kakain ka mamaya, okay?" She said as she went back to bed. Umupo siya sa harapan ko.

Huminga siya ng malalim at pinakatitigan ako.

"You scared me..." tinitigan niya ako. Kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya kung gaano siya nag alala.