OXYGEN

XLIII

I want to kiss you before my last breathe.

---

The accident was like an eye-opener to me.

After naming ma-discharged sa hospital, bumalik kami ni Doctor Elliot sa camp at nagpahinga. Habang nakahiga ako sa kama ay biglang sumagi sa isip ko ang napagusapan namin ni Doctor Elliot sa rooftop ng hospital. I smiled, I hugged my pillow and buried my face. That was probably the most heartfelt conversation that we had.

At this kind of generation, I never knew Doctor Elliot could think and say those words pertaining about love.

Ilang araw akong hindi nakatulog at bawat minuto ay siya ang naiisip ko. Gustong-gusto ko siyang makita araw-araw at hindi nagiging kompleto ang mga gabi ko kapag hindi kami naguusap. 

Hindi ko na imagine sa buong buhay ko na magiging ganito ang takbo nito. I was told to be away from Doctor Elliot dahil sa pader na nasa pagitan naming dalawa. But I always end up climbing the wall and jump into him.

One morning after kong magbreakfast, nakasalubong ko si Rewele, Fiona and Suzy habang naglalakad ako sa hallway pabalik ng kwarto ko. They all halted right in front of me at timing pa talaga na walang mga doctor na naglalakad dahil kumakain.

"Buhay ka pa pala?" Bungad ni Rewele sa akin at binigyan ako ng ngiting may pagkadismaya.

I heaved a sigh and was about to walk away nang harangin ni Fiona ang daan.

"Masamang damo nga naman, matagal namamatay," she said.

The three of them laughed before Rewele tapped me in my shoulder.

"Sana natuluyan ka nalang 'di ba?" She whispered. "Wala na sanang epal."

My hands are suddenly turned into a fist and the words are like knives that are cutting my flesh.

I never knew Rewele's hatred towards me can make such a mess. Now I'm dealing it with her every now and then. Pwede akong lumaban kung gugustuhin ko, but I have a reputation to protect and fighting with her is not a good decision at all. It might lead me to a punishment which I think I should avoid.

"I'm not planning to have a cat fight with you, Rewele. Leave me alone," I said in a normal tone.

They all laughed hysterically like I said a joke. Kinalma ko ang aking sarili at hinayaan silang tumawa. Rewele started mocking me and she keeps on repeating what I said.

"Ang arte mo! Bwesit ka!" She exclaimed. "Dinamay mo pa si Doctor Elliot sa kamalasan mong babae ka."

"Sana ikaw nalang mag-isa ang na-aksidente. Mas sasaya siguro kami kung ikaw ang mawawala," segunda ni Fiona.

Suzy raised her eyebrows and tangled her arms above her chest. Binigyan niya ako ng sarkastikong ngiti bago niya hinayo ang kanyang buhok papunta sa kanyang likod.

"Malandi ka na nga, malas ka pa."

They all laughed again but I remained stoic. Walang kabuhay-buhay kong tinitigan si Rewele habang pinagtatawanan nila ako. These girls are very smart and witty. Pero ang ugali nila parang hindi ko kayang masikmura. It seems like they're all brainwashed by a dark energy and it keeps on whispering behind their ears.

"You weren't in my position kaya nasasabi niyo ang mga 'yan. Wala akong ginawang masama sa inyo kaya huwag niyo akong pagtripan," I said firmly.

Napahinto si Rewele sa pagtawa at tinitigan ako sa mata. "Really? Wala kang ginawang masama sa amin? How about ang pagsabi mo sa mga lalaki na layuan kami? Do you think it doesn't make you desperate? Pinalayo mo sila para masolo niyo ng kasama mo ring haliparot na amazona?"