Dive #Wattys2021

Seventeenth Dive

Meriedeth Salazar

I gained consciousness, I saw Eryx's face a few inches away from me. Napabangon ako, I can feel water coming out. Napaubo ako. Fuck.

"Salazar, a-ayos ka lang ba? May masakit ba sa'yo?"

Napalingon ako sa nagtanong, it was Shelanie. From the looks of it, she cried. They all looked worried.

"Makakatayo ka ba, Shark girl?" tanong ni Rovic.

I just nodded, inalalayan ako ni Shelanie at Rovic. Hindi na ako umangal, ang sama ng pakiramdam ko. Umuwi kami sa bahay, Wesley called my brother telling him about what happened, I speaked to him and told him I'm fine and it was an accident.

I cleaned myself and humiga ako sa kama.

Ang sama talaga ng pakiramdam ko.

I feel so stupid.

It happened again.

Muntik na ako doon.

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Shelanie. She brought a mug ang place it on top of my bedside table, mainit na milo.

"How are you feeling, Salazar?" she's still worried.

"I'm fine, Shelanie. Buhay pa ako, thanks," sabay taas ko ng mug at uminom.

"Wag ka ngang magsalita ng ganyan!" tears started to fall from her eyes. "Na-nag-aalala ta-talaga ako ng makita kitang walang malay habang karga ni Eryx!"

"Eryx?" she nodded.

"He gave you a cpr. Jazrill fainted when he saw you, mabuti nalang at mabilis gumalaw si Kuya Wesley. Hindi ko na talaga alam kung ano ang gagawin, Salazar. Natakot ako, sobra. Ano ba ang nangyari?"

I sighed and put the mug back at the table. Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko.

"I..."

Sinulyapan ko siya, naka-abang lang siya sa sasabihin ko.

"I.. I panicked."

Napabuntong-hininga ako habang naaalala ko ang nangyari kanina. I hugged my knees. I can still feel the weird thing na naramdaman ko kanina.

"A.."

"Hmmm?"

"Ayoko ng umulit."

Ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko ngayon. I feel so stupid. I'm ashamed of what happened. Ang bigat sa dibdib, hay.

"You can rest, sa baba muna ako. Everything will be fine, Salazar," and she gave me a hug.

Its my first time being hugged by someone who isn't a family—I mean, not first time but, it's been a while since someone hugged me.

"Finish your milo and magpahinga ka," as she stood up.

"Uh, kamusta si Jazrill?"

"Nagpapahinga sa kabilang kwarto. He was terrified. Nakausap ko si Jazhel kanina, Jazrill felt guilty. Siya kasi ang tumawag sa'yo. He didn't know na magugulat ka. He saw you slipped. He thought you'll be fine, pero," she shrugged.

"Kakausapin ko siya mamaya."

She nodded and went out of my room. Humiga ako sa kama ko at pumikit. Nakakatakot. I felt tears escaped from my eyes as I lay down at my bed.

Hindi ko alam kung anong oras na. Bumangon ako, I feel light headed. Bumaba ako, I'm hungry. Nakita ko ang box sa sala.

"Hey, maayos na pakiramdam mo?" napalingon ako sa nagsalita, si Melanie, she looks worried.