Forgetting Samuel

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34
Relasyon

Napaka hapdi ng mukha ni Ady nang idilat niya ang kaniyang mga mata. Pakiramdam niya ay itinusta sa araw ang kaniyang balat, pero mas tumindi ang sakit ng kaniyang ulo nang idilat niya ang kaniyang mga mata.

Hang over.

Random images from last night struck in her head in one straight blow that made her block it from pestering her already aching head.

Nagfocus ang dalaga sa kaniyang paligid, at doon narealize na nasa kuwarto na siya at nakahiga. Nakataas sa ilalim ng kaniyang baba ang duvet, at bukas rin ang aircon. Bukas rin ang kurtina niyang kulay dilaw, at salung-salo ng kaniyang mukha ang init nh araw. Mabuti na lamang at Sabado ngayon. Okay lang kung tanghalian siya ng gising dahil wala naman siyang pasok ngayon at maipapahinga pa niya ang sarili niya.

"Hey, you're up. How are you feeling?"

Hindi man lang narinig ni Ady na bumukas na pala ang pinto. May bitbit si Samuel na tray. Naglalaman ito ng isang basong tubig at isang capsule ng Advil liquid gel.

"Hey." Ady responded and tried to pull herself up.

Ipinatong agad ni Samuel ang tray sa side table ng dalaga at saka siya dinaluhan sa kama. Inalalayan niya si Ady sa pagbangon nito sa kama.

"Just how many bottles did you drink?" natanong na lamang ng binata nang maging kumportable na si Ady sa kaniyang pag-upo.

Napahawak ang dalaga sa kaniyang sentido at sinubukang isipin ang mga nangyari. There's so much clouds in her memories. Wala yata siyang mafigure out na right and accurate images to describe the events of last night.

"How did I even get home?" pasagot na tanong naman ni Ady sa binata.

Napabuntong-hininga si Samuel at saka kinuha ang kamay ng dalaga.

"There's nothing going on with me and Deirdre." he started, as he looked up to meet her vision.

"Didn't I tell you that you have my heart in your hand, Adelaide?" he squeezed her hand and lifted it up. He kissed her skin, that caused tingles down her spine.

"Why are you telling me that?" napahiyang tanong ng dalaga. Umiwas pa ito ng tingin dahil sa intense na titig ng binata sa kaniya.

"Look at me." Samuel said, his voice so soft.

It sounded like a song in her ears. A song that will cheer up her melancholic soul. He touched her chin, and pointed it towards his direction.

Ady met his gaze. She tried to focus staring on his lips either.

"Eyes on me, lady." the strictness in Samuel's voice came out, that made Ady lift her gaze up his eyes.

"You tortured me last night." Samuel started, "You were causing a commotion, fighting me about something I can't understand. Your voice was slurred, but you're angry about something. You didn't even let me touch you when I got there. How did I find out? I interrogated you on the way home. You know what you did before you even gave me the answers I needed, to understand you? Sumuka ka sa mukha ko, Adelaide."

Napapikit si Ady sa kahihiyan. Hinila niya ang kamay niya pabalik sa kaniya upang takpan ang kaniyang mukha pero humigpit ang kamay ni Samuel.

"Let's talk about that. I want you to know that there's nothing going on, Adelaide. Trust me on this, she has a problem that's too personal to be talking about in public places and she needed a friend."

Tumango muli si Adelaide, "Okay." she answered surrendering, "Let go of my hand."

Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Samuel at saka na binitawan ang kamay ng dalaga, "Uminom ka muna ng gamot sa ulo mo."