A Thousand Wounds

Wound 4

Wound 4

"Belle!" rinig ko ang matinis na hiyaw ng aking mga kaibigan.

I roamed my eyes and searched for them. Malaki ang ngiti sa labi na kumaway ako sa kanila.

"Kamusta na, mga bakla?" pangangamusta ko nang makalapit sa kanilang puwesto. Naupo ako sa bench at yumakap sa kanila.

"Heto, magaganda pa rin," Sky posed while Reese flipped her hair. Mara pursed her lips and shook her head while laughing.

"I know, right!" I agreed, and we all burst into laughter.

"Ikaw naman ang magkuwento, bakla. Kamusta ang bakasyon mo?" Reese followed.

"Nothing extraordinary, mga bakla," kibit-balikat ko. "Nga pala, nakita niyo na ba kung saang section kayo?" tuloy ko.

"Hindi pa eh," Mara answered. "I heard, strikto raw ang adviser ng isang section ng grade eight."

"Talaga? Sana naman hindi super to the next level?" usyuso naman ni Sky.

"True, bakla," Reese seconded.

I grabbed my tumbler while closely listening to them. Taranta akong napaubo nang may mapansing bulto papalapit sa amin.

"Hey, okay ka lang?" Sky caressed my back as I struggled in coughing.

"Yeah.." I whispered, almost out of breath.

Dumoble ang aking pagkataranta nang may mag-abot ng panyo sa aking harapan. I raised my head and stood up when I saw Michael De Gala in front of me.

"Are you okay, Belle?" he spoke in his gentle voice.

I nodded inaudibly. He grabbed my hand and placed the handkerchief.

"Use this," he smiled.

Umiling ako at ngumiwi. "Ah, huwag na. It's fine," I returned his handkerchief. He accepted it and sighed. With that, nabigla na lamang ako nang siya na mismo ang boluntaryong nagpunas sa aking bibig.

Tila ako tuod na nakatayo sa kaniyang harapan. Michael's brows are furrowed while focused on wiping the water all over my face.

"She can do it on her own, Michael."

Napatigil sa pagpunas ang aking kaharap at lumingon sa kaniyang likuran. There, Cleyton stood grumpily with his narrowed eyes. Katabi naman nito si Andrei na abala sa pagbabasa sa hawak niyang libro. His sharp gaze darted to mine, and I can't help but shudder in awkwardness.

"Matagal ka pa ba riyan? Alis na tayo," he blurted out with his imposing and demanding tone.

Napalunok ako. I immediately took a step backward. "T-thank you," I uttered shakily.

Ngumisi si Michael kaya naman mas lalong kumunot ang noo ni Cleyton.

"Someone's grumpy here," he joked. "Just be careful next time, Belle. After all, you are a special girl who likes me."

Before he turned his back, he gave me his lopsided grin and a playful wink. "Take care, girls."

Cleyton was the last one who turned his back. His intense eyes lingered on me before he darted away.

"That was intense, bakla!" hiyaw ni Sky nang makaalis ang tatlo.

"Nakakahiya.." I whispered and covered my whole face.

"Oy anong nakakahiya? Si Michael pa mismo ang umasikaso sa'yo. You should be happy, bakla! That's a one in a lifetime experience," mahabang turan ni Reese.