Flame Academy

/38/

I looked at my mother peacefully sleeping on the hospital bed. She's still not waking up until now but they assured me that she's going to wake up sooner or later. She had many wounds and burns but the doctor said that she's going to be okay. And that's the only thing I want to know for now.

"Your mom won't go anywhere. Huwag mo masyadong titigan."

Tumingin ako kay Daimo at nakita siyang prenteng-prenteng nakaupo sa sofa ng hospital room ni Mommy. He's looking at his phone but I know that he's aware of his surroundings.

"Oh, bakit ako naman ang tinititigan mo?" he asked but kept his eyes on his phone.

"Thank you," I said and that's when he looked at me.

Daimo Enriquez is the son of Limestone High School's owner, which is where I studied before. He's a rich kid and his mother owns this hospital where my mother got confined. He's famous not just because of his looks and brain but because he's also helpful and kindhearted. May kayabangan nga lang siya nang kaunti.

When we arrived here, siya kaagad ang unang pumasok sa isip ko. Mommy needed an immediate treatment and I have no money that time. That's why I used every courage left in me and went to their house.

"Welcome. You know how kind I am," he said and winked.

I just forced a smile and was about to look at Mommy again when he intentionally coughed. Muli akong tumingin sa kanya.

"Mom agreed to not report your mom's condition to the police. I also payed all your bills," he said and frowned. "Pero pwede bang ipaliwanag mo man lang sa akin kung anong nangyari? Where did your mother got all of those?"

Hindi ako nakasagot kaagad sa tanong niya. But I don't think I can tell him what really happened and I know that I really should not.

"In this world," I sighed, "there are some things you still don't know. And one of those is the reason why my mother is here."

Kumunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko, probably confused about my words. I just smiled at him and returned my eyes on Mommy.

"Kamusta pala 'yang mga kamay mo?"

Napatingin ako sa mga kamay ko dahil sa biglang tanong niya. My both hands are covered in bandages and seeing them made me remember what happened two days ago.

"It's fine now," I said and I saw in my peripheral vision that he nodded.

For the next hours, nanatili kaming dalawa sa loob ng kwarto ni Mommy. I don't even know why he's here and seems to guard Mommy with me. But whatever his reason is, I'm still thankful that he's here.

He also asked me why I suddenly dropped out from Limestone High School and I just said that I went to a place very far from here. It wasn't really a lie since I really did.

Lie..

I mentally sighed and looked at him when he suddenly stood up. Nag-inat-inat siya at ngumiti sa akin. I can't deny the fact that Daimo is attractive and girls will really fall for him but I don't think I'm one of those girls. Because I already fell for someone.

"It's getting late. Ihahatid na kita sa bahay niyo."

I shook my head. "I'll stay here until tomorrow. I cannot leave her."

"I'll ask the nurses to guard your mother. And besides, she's in a VIP room. No one can enter this room except from you and the doctor," he said and suddenly frowned. "Wait, should I also include myself?"

Mahina na lang akong natawa sa sinabi niya at tumayo na. Na-realize ko din kasing kailangan ko ding kumuha ng mga damit namin ni Mommy.

"Will they going to check her up tonight?" I asked and he slightly looked up.