(FHS #5) Silverianne Villafranca only wanted one thing when she came to Filimon Heights - freedom. However, she got more than what she bargained for the moment she met the town's local rebel who comes with a crazy package.
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"I'm surprised hindi ka nasunog dito," Reika spoke softly as she sat on the pew right next to me. She didn't sound menacing like before, probably because we were inside the hospital chapel.
I'd like to throw a banter but my bloodied hands and insides are still trembling. Still, Reika's presence somehow made me feel lighter.
"W-wait are you hurt?" she asked, seeing the bloodstains on my skin and clothes.
"The blood isn't mine," I assured her.
Reika sighed. I felt her hands wrap around my shoulder. I was so tired that instantly leaned my head on hers while my eyes remained on the large crucifix by the altar.
"I'm glad you're okay," she said, resting her chin on top of my head.
"Sana pati rin sila," I uttered softly as I closed my eyes shut, trying to stop my tears from falling. Ayokong umiyak sa presensya ni Reika. Ayoko.
"Heard you were a real trooper out there. Proud of you, Elemento," she said while tapping my shoulders, trying to comfort me in her own little way.
"I froze many times. I could've done more, I could've done better," I argued.
I heard her chuckle. "Wala yan, I once cut my finger and I almost fainted after seeing the blood. Siguro kung ako 'yung nandoon, inatake na ako sa--"
"Don't." I cut her off right away. Just thinking of her being in that accident scares the life out of me. Ano na lang kaya kung siya iyong nasa posisyon ni Jethro.
"Promise me you won't get into that kind of trouble?" I asked, keeping my eyes closed, trying to keep my tears at bay.
"Elemento please," she said sarcastically and chuckled. "I have families and friends in the legal and medical field. I'm confident to get into any kind of trouble. Bring it on."
I get that dark humor is her thing pero nakakainis pa rin kaya sinuntok ko siya sa hita.
"Aray naman," natatawa niyang reklamo at mas idiniin ang baba niya sa ibabaw ng ulo ko bilang ganti. Hindi ko tuloy napigilang matawa kahit pa medyo masakit.
"First time kang natawa dahil sa akin ah?" she mused. I remember the first time she saw me laugh, para siyang tangang na-amaze. Alangan ba naman hindi ako tatawa eh nakakatawa ang pinapanood namin. She even made a big deal on the first time she saw me smile. Siraulo talaga.
"Nga pala, sigurado na ako," pag-iiba ko ng usapan.
"Sa alin?" she asked.
"I'm going to be a nurse. 'Yon ang gusto ko kaya gagawin ko ang lahat para mangyari 'yon. I'll follow my heart, just like what you said," I said. "I will learn so I could do better, so I could help more people."
"You know that's not your responsibility right? I mean, you have your own life to take care of?" she asked.
"I think this is my purpose in life," I claimed.
"Hmmm? Ano kaya sa'kin?" she mused.
"Tagahabol ng bakla?" I joked with my usual tone.
We both chuckled until both of us fell silent. For awhile we just sat in the pew, letting the moments pass by, but that was until I spoke.
"How's Jethro?" I asked.
"Pagdating ko, alam mo ba anong sabi nila?" she asked so I shook my head. I kept my promise to Jethro, I didn't leave him until he was rescued, until he was rushed to the operating room. Since then I stayed in the chapel, ceaselessly praying for his and the other victims' recovery. Since then, I haven't heard of any updates.
"Ano?" I asked.
"They said it was a miracle that Jethro made it to the hospital alive and it was all thanks to you for tending to his neck wound and keeping him calm while he was trapped in that car," she explained.
Hearing those words soothed me. I felt happy knowing I was able to help in my own little way.
"Hoy, kapag ako ang napahamak dahil sa mga kalokohan ko, iligtas mo rin ako ha? Kung hindi, humanda ka talagang Elemento ka," she joked but I didn't find it funny at all kaya muli ko siyang sinuntok sa hita.
"Aray ko naman, sana 'yung kabila na lang sinuntok mo para pantay," mangiyak-ngiyak niyang reklamo kaya natawa na lang ako ulit at sinuntok ang kabila niyang hita.
"Tara na, umuwi na tayo. May pasok ka pa bukas," aniya at hinila ako patayo. Pag-ikot namin, nagulat ako nang makitang nasa parehong chapel din pala sina Sawyer, Magno, at Haji. Sa unang pagkakataon, nakita ko silang tahimik at seryoso. Lahat sila ay nakatingin sa direksyon ng altar, tila ba taimtim na nag-uusal ng kani-kanilang dasal.
"You guys must be so worried for him," wala sa sarili kong sambit.
"Worried is an understatement." Reika chuckled.
As we made our way out of the chapel, isa-isa ring nagtayuan sina Magno, Haji, at Sawyer. Huminto kami malapit sa pinto, hinintay silang makalapit sa amin.
"Use this." Sawyer took off his jacket and handed it to me. Si Reika naman ang nagsuot nito sa akin.
"You okay?" Magno asked.
"Not my blood," I said while raising my palms a little.
"Good job, Silver," Haji said subtly as he nodded. I think it was the first time he said something nice to me.
Habang naglalakad kami palabas ng chapel, nakunot ang noo ko nang makita si Tres na mabilis ang paglalakad patungo sa amin. Ang ipinagtaka ko ay ang suot niyang damit.
"Why is he wearing scrubs?" Hindi ko napigilang magtanong.
"He's a junior intern here," Reika said kaya naman napakurap-kurap ako sa gulat. I had no idea he's on med school.
Tres looked shocked seeing the blood on my clothes and hands kaya bago pa siya makapagtanong, sinabi ko na agad na hindi sa akin galing ito at okay lang ako.
"Upo ka muna. I have to be sure," he said and took out a little metal flashlight from his pocket. He looked worried, I guess that's because he already has the mindset of a doctor.
I quickly shook my head. "No, I'm okay. I wasn't involved in the accident. I was only there to help."
He looked at me and sighed, as if in relief. "Umuwi na kayo. Get some rest."
I think it was the first time I saw him serious.
"How about Jethro? He's going to be okay, right?" I couldn't help but ask.
"They just got him out of surgery. Luckily, no vital organs were damaged when the metal bar punctured his stomach. The wound on his neck would've ended badly too if it wasn't for the first responders quick action. Other than broken bones and a bruised lung, he's good," Tres explained kaya naman lahat kami ay nakahinga nang maluwag.
