Kabanata 34
"How are you?"
NAWALA ang pakla sa hitsura ko nang pumasok si Russell sa kuwarto. I can't help but smile at him. He really brighten up the place whenever he shows up with that all-perfect-white set of teeth he have.
"I'm fine." I whispered and stuck out my finger. I curled it several times, ushering him to come to me.
May dala pang isang bag ng cheese burgers na inilapag niya sa side table. He smelled good. Pumaimbabaw agad sa hangin ang amoy ng soap na gamit niya. Mukhang kaliligo niya lang.
Naupo agad siya sa edge ng kama kung nasaan ako nakahiga.
Nasa ospital pa rin ako. Naghihintay sa pagdating ng psychiatrist na sinasabi ni Nel, na kokonsulta sa akin.
"Are you really okay?" he asked again, his gazed never left mine.
He held me at arm's length, as if trying to see if I'll react. I snorted at him and rolled my eyes. Hinila ko siya agad papalapit sa akin at saka ko isinandal ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya.
"Pagod na ako. It's been a long day." bulong ko sa kaniya, "Gusto ko nang magpahinga sa kuwarto ko, sa bahay."
I felt his lips on the top of my head. He kissed me as he rubbed both of my shoulders.
"Can you just do what Nel wants you to do? She'll support you no matter what." aniya. He angled himself to catch a look of my face.
"I'm here. I'll also support you." he added and leaned in to kiss the side of my head. "Even your Tita Esme. I saw her on the lobby, talking to the psychiatrist. She'll help make things easy for you."
Nanigas ang katawan ko sa mga hulong sinabi niya. Pakiramdam ko ay nalaglag pa anh puso ko sa gulat.
"What?" I asked, my voice broke as my eyes dilated in front of him. Agad akong napalayo sa kaniya.
"What's wrong?" Russell asked, perplexed at my reaction.
"Don't you want to feel fine, Lussi?"
Napapikit ako. Napatalon pa ako paalis sa kama. Nagsimula nang manginig ang katawan ko sa impormasyong narinig ko.
"Get me out of here." madiin kong sambit sa kaniya, "Please, get me out of here!"
Nagsimula nang tumulo ang mga luha ko habang nagmamakaawa ako kay Russell. Napatanga siya sa akin. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin. He stared at me like I wasn't asking him a favor.
"GET ME OUT OF HERE, RUSSELL!" sigaw ko, halos pumutok pa ang boses ko sa anxiety na pumapalibot sa akin.
Kumumpas-kumpas na ako sa hangin dahil sa frustration. I never knew I would imitate Nel this way. Iba pala talaga, kapag buhay ang galit at anxiousness sa kaibuturan mo.
Napatayo agad si Russell. He wasn't aware of what to do next, but he removed his jacket and placed it on my shoulders.
"Let's go." aniya at saka ay hinawakan ang kamay ko.
He was able to go to the direction he used earlier, but thought better of it. Hinila niya ako sa patungo sa kabilang daan.
***
Hinigpitan ni Russell ang kapit ng jacket sa katawan ko, matapos niyang pumara sa taxi na papadaan.
"Are you comfortable?" she asked looking at my barefeet.
He ached at my sight, tapos ay lumingon siya sa paligid. Sinisipat kung may nakatingin ba sa amin, if ever there's someone suspicious.
"So far." I whispered granting him a soft smile.
BINABASA MO ANG
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