Love Me on December

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19: Better

Giftson brought us where Eus' parents are, at nandito na nga kami ngayon sa hospital. I'm standing beside Eus who's sitting on a single chair, tahimik naming tinititigan ang kaniyang mga magulang na pareho pa ring unconscious ngayon.

Tita Eula and Tito Ben are sharing the same room right now, with nasal cannula on their noses and electrodes from ECG machine attached to their bodies. They both look suffering severely from the accident, and I can't help but feel sad and more worried for them now.

Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto, kaya napatingin na ako roon. I thought it was a nurse, pero si Giftson lang naman pala. Nagtama ang tingin namin dahil doon, but I instantly looked away like it's no big deal.

"Eus... Rita... kumain na muna kayo." Pahayag na niya sa likuran namin, and I remained standing beside my cousin.

Hindi kami nagsalita ni Eus, kaya he continued.

"May dala akong breakfast. Kumain na muna kayo ngayon, at magpahinga na pagkatapos."

"Kumain ka na, Rita." Payo na ng pinsan, at hindi pa naman ako nagugutom.

"Sasabay na lang ako sa'yo mamaya, busog pa naman ako." Sagot ko kay Eus, at ayokong harapin itong lalaking nasa likod namin.

"Galing kayo sa mahabang flight, at hindi pa kayo kumakain. Mag-almusal na kayo ngayon." Giftson commented on what I've said.

And just by that, nakaramdam na ako ng gutom sa sobrang pamimilit niya. My last meal was before we took our flight to get here. Now, it's almost six in the morning and I'm craving for something to eat na.

Naiilang man sa kasama na namin ngayon na bwesit na kapit-bahay ng pinsan ko ay hinarap ko na siya. I found him sitting in front of a round table here in the hospital room with a breakfast prepared on the table now. Kaya pala lumabas siya kanina to buy us breakfast, and now nakakaramdam na ako ng gutom.

Naglakad na ako palapit sa kaniya na kinakabahan na ngayon, and I don't understand why I'm so bothered, shy, and timid with my actions right now! Eh, hindi naman ako ganito sa harap ng ibang kaibigan ng cousin ko ah?

I can feel his stares at me watching my every move, but I keep my gaze lowered avoiding to glance at him. Naupo na ako sa kaharap niyang chair, and remained my eyes lowered staring over our food.

"You may have your breakfast." He said when I didn't move for a moment.

Kaya naunahan na niya akong kunin ang rice, at siya na mismo ang naghain nito sa plato ko. Nang matapos siya ay ibinaba na niya ito at tinanong pa ako.

"What do you want? Bacons? Eggs? Ham? Hotdogs?" Pinapapili niya ako, at hindi ko pa rin siya tinitignan.

"B-bacons and eggs, p-please..." I said with cheeks now red.

Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon ay ginalaw na niya ang mga plato ng bacons and eggs, at pinaghainan muli ako nito sa sarili kong pinggan. Why is he doing this to me? Kaya ko namang kumain dito na mag-isa?

"Now, you may eat." He said after he did everything for me to eat.

Doon pa ako gumalaw at nagsimula na akong kumain even I'm shy and timid with my actions right in front of him.

Habang kumakain na ako ay pinagsasalinan na niya ako ng fresh milk sa sarili kong baso, and hindi ko talaga kayang mag-angat ng tingin ngayon sa kaniya kahit nararamdam ko ang mga paninitig niya sa'kin.

Nang matapos siya sa ginagawa, I can see his upper body leaned on the chair he's sitting and rested his hands above the table as I felt he kept staring at me. Tahimik na lang akong kumain ngayon, even I'm fighting the urge to look and talk to him.