Chapter Twenty-five

I couldn't believe that I now wore a pair of hospital clothes and laid in a hospital bed with a scary needle poked into my skin. I rolled to my side and faced the empty side of the room, I could now see the thick brown curtains that was covering, probably, a window.

Halos lahat ng BTS ay narito sa silid at kausap ang attending doctor ko. They listened attentively to whatever the doctor said. She was talking in Korean so I was out of place. Pero alam ko… alam kong iniisip ng doctor na napakasimple lang ng dysmenorrhoea para dalhin pa ako sa hospital at mai-confine pa.

BTS proved me how overacting they could get! They demanded to get me confined even when the doctor told them that I didn't need it.

I really didn't! Not that I couldn't handle a simple stomach cramps, I was used to it. Pahinga lang naman ang kailangan ko. And they couldn't seem to understand it!

"Thank you, doctor." I heard RM kindly say in a firm voice.

"Thanks, doctor!" They all then chorused before I heard the door open and close.

Pumikit ako ng mariin at nagkunwaring tulog. Smell of medicines didn't really vibe with me. Idagdag pa itong karayom na nakatarak sa pulupulsuhan ko. Those were included in my collection of dislikes. Kahit noon pa, sa tuwing nagkakasakit ako noon ay ipapatawag na lang ni Papang si Doctor Sanday, ang aming family doctor para matingnan ako.

Medyo humupa na ang sakit ng puson ko dahil sa pina-inom sa aking gamot kanina plus they had also injected me something that was beyond my knowledge but it miraculously tended my pain.

"Uwah! Miss made me really worried!"

Narinig ko ang nag-aalalalang boses ni J-Hope na pumuno sa kabuuan ng silid ngunit nanatili akong nakahiga patagilid sa side na hindi ko sila makikita.

"I don't know why she was hiding her pain a earlier."

I almost cringed at the soft sound of Jimim's confused yet so worried voice. At sa lahat pa talaga ng makakakita sa akin kanina sa ganoong sitwasyon ay si Jimin pa! Why did it have to be always him?!

"I was worried too. Noona sure is really something." Jungkook's worried voice came next.

I silently sighed. Bilib na ako sa tibay ng loob ng kanilang manager sa pagha-handle sa kanila. Siguro, kung ibang babae lang ako, baka noon pa lang mga unang araw sa bahay ng BTS ay bumigay na ako. I should be proud of myself for still having to think sanely.

At saka paano nila ngayon ipapaliwanag sa mga staff ng hospital na ito kung sino ako? Rumors could spread fast. Baka magising na lang kami kinabukasan na may mga reporters na sa buong hospital.

Hays. Trouble! Trouble! Trouble! Seriously, baka naman 'Trouble' talaga ang surname ko at hindi Ursula? O baka naman sa mental institution na dapat ako at hindi sa ospital? Nababaliw na ako!

"Miss, we bought you fresh fruits. You should eat." I heard RM's gentle voice behind me, it was still soft as if pampering a sick person. Great.

Hindi ako sumagot at nagpatuloy sa pagtutulog-tulugan. Dapat bumabalik na sila ngayon sa bahay. They were not safe here, what if people would recognize them? Isa pa, kaya kong mag-isa. Hindi naman ako tatakas sa kanila, wala rin naman akong mapupuntahan kaya puwede na nila akong iwan. I just didn't want to get in an another issue with them. Plus, It. Was. Just. Too. Embarrassing.

"Let me peel an orange for her." Ang banayad na boses naman ni Jin ang narinig ko kasunod ang ilang mga yapak.

Mariin akong pumikit kahit pikit naman na ang mga mata ko. Magpapagod lang siya dahil kahit sampung peeled oranges pa ang nandiyan, hindi ko iyon kakainin. I didn't like oranges. Mapaprutas man o flavor. That was again, included in my collection of dislikes. Hindi ako kumibong muli. They could do everything they wanted and leave me after. As for now, I was still looking for a face I would show them. Lalo na kay Jimin! Just why?!

Wala naman akong nagawang masama ah? I had been so good to my old friends. I had been a good daughter and sister! I didn't harm other people! Kaya bakit nangyayari ang lahat ng ito sa akin ngayon? Pero bakit ako nagkakaganito ngayon?

I thought, this was a blessing, turned out, this was a punishment.

"I think you should all go. I'll stay with her tonight."

Ngayon ko lang ulit narinig na nagsalita si Yoongi. Mahina lang ang boses niya at tulad pa rin ng dati. That guy! Hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutan ang mga kamanyakan niya sa akin! He was the worst member ever! I didn't technically hate him but why did he do those things to me? Dahil ba hindi ako nagsasalita? Dahil ba tahimik lang ako?

Just why again?

"No. I'll be staying with her tonight." I again heard Jimin say in a stern voice this time.

I pursed my lips. Even hearing his voice could melt my heart but I still couldn't forgive this dysmenorrhoea for embarrassing me in front of Jimin and the BTS!

I really hated being so needy. I wasn't the type of girl really. I could handle myself. I hated seeking help from anyone. I was not a damsel in distress. Pero sa lagay na ito, pakiramdam ko, mas malala pa ako sa isang damsel in distress na tipong laging kailangan ang tulong iba. At BTS ang nasa tabi ko! Matatapos pa ba ang lahat ng ito?

"I want to stay too." I heard Taehyung's persistent deep voice.

I wondered what they were talking about. I just really hoped they would leave now. I really could handle myself alone. Kung papipiliin naman ako, the most I was comfortable among them, it would be RM and Taehyung. They could keep me company without making me feel awkward. Si RM dahil nagkakaintindihan kami at si Taehyung dahil para siyang younger brother ko. He was cute, and well, easy to get along with.

Ang pinaka-ayaw ko namang makasama muna sa ngayon ay sina Jimin at Yoongi, and for a reason! Though I really could handle myself alone.

"I'll stay too. I'll take care for our baby girl." Jungkook's so ever innocent voice that somehow made me smile a bit.

Jungkook was fine too. Kagaya ni Taehyung, para rin siyang bata. Well, he was really a kid since he was just nineteen in a normal aging cycle. I was not Korean so I wouldn't be following their aging cycle. But seriously! What were they talking about? Why couldn't they just all go and leave me alone?

I was sure I could find my way home.

"Yah! Yah! Kook's right! We can't leave our baby girl here!" And who owned a very cheerful voice? Only J-Hope.

"Then I think we all should stay," RM finally said that I only understood.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig at natigil ako sa pagtutulug-tulugan ngunit nanatili akong nakaharap sa kabilang side kung saan hindi ko sila nakikita. Anong… ano iyong mga pinag-usapan nila para mauwi sila sa ganoong desisyon? What the hell? Were they arguing about staying here with me? Bakit wala akong naintindihan? Bakit? Iyon ba ang ibig sabihin ng mga pinagsasabi nila kanina?!

Maybe, God had cursed me to suffer all this!

"Here." Inabot sa akin ni Jin ang tinusukan niya ng straw na banana milk habang nakasandal ako sa headboard ng kama na agad ko namang inabot dahil kanina pa hinahanap ng panglasa ko sa gatas na ito.

I had shamelessly asked him to buy me this when the other members had gone out because their manager called. Dapat ay lahat sila ang pupunta pero naisip nilang hindi nila ako puwedeng iwan mag-isa. They had decided to go but one should stay with me. Nagtalo pa nga sina Taehyung, Jimin at Yoongi pero sa huli, si Jin ang naiwang magbabantay sa akin.

What was I? A little kid? If only they knew how independent I was.

"Thanks," sagot ko sa kaniya at sinipsipan ang straw. I smiled as the thick milky taste touched my throat.

Si Chelsea talaga ang naaalala ko sa inuming ito. Kamusta na kaya ang office? Panigurado sumasakit na ang ulo ni Miss Alecia dahil sa ilang linggo na akong no show sa trabaho at wala man lang notice.

I only asked Jin one banana milk but he bought a dozen. Seriously, sinong uubos ng mga iyon? I could drink three to five yogurts for a day but a dozen was an entirely different thing. Iniisip niya yatang matakaw ako.

Madaling-araw na pero gising pa rin si Jin at nanonood ng kung anong cartoon movie sa TV na nasa living area ng silid. I could see him sometimes yawning but due to unknown reason, he was keeping himself awake.

"Jin." I called him as I let go of the straw.

He raised his gaze to look at me. Naka-upo siya mahabang couch sa sala set ng malaking kuwarto. For an ordinary room, the room was surely big. May sarili kasing sala, may TV set at may sariling banyo.

"You can go home and get some sleep. I can take care of myself," sabi ko sa kaniya.

"Ani. You should sleep and I will watch out for you," aniya habang umiiling.

"I really can't sleep thinking that someone's watching me. If you want, you can sleep there," I told him while pointing at the couch where he sat. The couch looked so comfortable and inviting. At sa tingin ko ay iyon din ang iniisip niya kasabay ng sunod-sunod niyang paglunok. Lalo na at may mga throw pillows sa couch.

In the end, napapayag ko siyang matulog.

Bumangon ako matapos ng ilang minutong pagkakahiga ni Jin sa couch. I could hear silent and peaceful snores from him evidence that he was already fast asleep. Alas-dos na kasi ng madaling-araw kaya malamang sobrang antok na siya. And I couldn't sleep.

Marahan kong hinugot ang dextrose na nakaturok sa pulupulsuhan ko na nagpangiwi sa akin. It bled a bit but I ignored it. Bumaba ako ng kama, nag-iingat na hindi makalikha ng ingay dahil baka magising si Jin at mapurnada pa ang balak kong magliwaliw. There was a pair of pink hospital slippers under my bed so I wore it. Hinaplos-haplos ko ang pulupulsuhan ko dahil kumikirot ito dala nang paghugot ko ng IV tube. Bahagya ko pang hinipan dahil nagdudugo.

From the little fridge beside the bedside table, I took out three boxes of banana milk. Ipinasok ko ang mga iyon sa bulsa ng suot kong upper hospital cloth. I tiptoed very carefully and silently towards the door. I silently uttered a thanks when I finally closed the door of my hospital room where in Jin deeply slept.

Hindi ko gusto ang amoy at atmospera sa loob. It was suffocating. Hindi ako makahinga ng maayos dahil nasisinghot ko ang iba't ibang klaseng amoy ng mga gamot, medical equipments and many more. It stank. There was a reason as to why I preferred our family doctor when I was sick because I hated hospitals and any medical stuff and smells.

Maliwanag ang ilaw sa buong hallway. There were few patients outside wandering just like me while dragging their dextrose stands. Sabagay, anong oras na kaya baka tulog na ang karamihan. Maging nang dumaan ako sa nurse station ay umiidlip ang ibang nurses. I rode an elevator going up to the rooftop.

In order to retrieve my fresh breathing was to inhale some fresh air.

Namangha ako sa bumungad sa akin sa rooftop. I had always loved rooftop scenes ever since. Kahit noong college ako ay ang rooftop ng university ang madalas na getaway ko sa stress na dulot ng mga paper works sa school. Ang rooftop sa opisina rin ang minsang tambayan ko pag-lunch break.

I just so liked rooftops. I thought they were made for me.

The Seoul had an amazing skyscrapers in the morning and had a wonderful city lights at night. At dahil madilim pa ay manghang-mangha ako sa city lights ng Seoul. I could live forever just watching this scenic eye-mesmerizing view.

May nakapalibot na mga benches sa malawak at pabilog na landscape ng rooftop. There was a garden located in the middle, mas nagmukha itong economical dome. Gusto ko sanang pumasok doon kaso naka-lock ang entrance at mukhang hindi privileged ang mga pasiyente sa loob.

I just walked towards one of the benches. Sa isa sa mga benches, may kalayuan sa bench na napili ko, ay may isang lalaking naka-upo. He was a patient just like me because he was wearing the blue version of my pink hospital pair of clothes. Hawak niya ang phone niya at tipong kinukuhanan ng litrato ang city lights. He had his back facing me and he had stunning silver hair.

I shrugged nonchalantly. Kung dala ko lang ang phone ko ay baka kinunan ko na rin ng litrato ang city lights. Naupo ako sa bench at inangat ang dalawang paa ko para maupo ng naka-indian sit. Hinugot ko ang isang box ng banana milk sa bulsa ko at sinimulang inumin kasabay nang pagtitingala ko para salubungin ang sariwang hangin.

"Ah!" I breathed loudly at the touch of coldness in my throat plus the thick milky taste of the yogurt.

Hindi masyadong malamig ngayon bukod sa sobrang mahangin dahil summer na. I could endure the cold brought by the fresh air. It was what I wanted. Pakiramdam ko ngayon lang uli ako nakasinghap ng ganito kaginhawang hangin. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

My eyes twinkled reflecting the dust of stars up the sky. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga habang pinagmamasdan ang napakagandang kalangitan habang sumisimsim sa dala kong gatas ngunit hindi pa man ako nangangalahati sa inumin ko ay may kumakalabit na sa akin mula sa likod. I turned around while biting the straw.

"I thought I was just having an i-illusion. It is really you."

A very familiar man stood tall behind me while staring down at me with those cunningly annoying smile. Ang maliliit niyang mga mata ay nakatitig pabalik sa akin, on his background was the dust of the stars above.

Humigpit ang pagkagat ko sa straw. Ridiculous. Very ridiculous. Hindi ko napigilan ang matawa ng sobrang lakas. I just confirmed that fate wasn't yet finished playing with my life and putting twists and turns to spice even more my already messed up life. At sa tingin ko, kahit pa pigilan ko ang lahat at kahit pa magtago ako. Hinding hindi ako titigilan ng tadhana.

It wouldn't just let me go…

Maybe, fate found my life amusing that it kept on giving me heart-attacking twists and turns.

Sinong hindi matatawa at mababaliw kung nasa harap ko ngayon si Jiro ng Hunters? Sa ikalawang pagkakataon at sa pinaka-hindi ko inaasahang pagkakataon.

Crap! Damnation! Why my life? Why me of all people? Again, for the umpteenth time, just why?

I wouldn't ever consider this as a coincidence because it was far from being just a stupid coincidence! This was a freaking game of the freaking fate! At nakaka-inis lang dahil buhay ko talaga ang napili nitong guluhin at paglaruan!

Jiro of Hunters just stared at me, blinking in confusion as he watched me laughing insanely, because yeah, I really shouldn't be here… I should be in a mental constitution!