Untitled 3

Luckily, natapos ko naman ang assignment ko bago pa ako datnan ng antok kagabi. Now, I'm heading towards the campus, but my eyes are sleepy. "Damn it." I mumbled while I was walking like a zombie. I even left my phone, now I don't have anything to use for music.

While on my way, someone held my shoulder and said "peekaboo!" It was Nico who has this smile. Nakasunod naman dito si Isla na nakasuot na ng school uniform, but this time, maayos na ito. "Yo," bati niya.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at hinyaan na lang ang dalawa na sundan ako. I don't care what they want from me. Fuck, early morning this is what I could see?

"What's up, my friend?" Nico asked beside me. I heard Isla bid her goodbye since her department was on the other building. Kaming dalawa nalang ni Nico ang magkasama.

I remained silent. I don't want to talk, I just felt sleepy. Nang makarating kami sa designated room, pumunta ako kaagad sa hulihang bahagi. Much better this way. If I wanted to sleep, I could do it.

Well, I know I have to focus on my studies, but I need more sleep. My brain would only function if I had enough sleep.

Nico sat next to me---like the other day.

When I'm about to sleep in my bag, he started his story. Fuck, this is what I don't wanted.

"Na-ah. Just kidding." He said before laughing. I shook my head and lay on the other side.

Minutes passed and I fell asleep. Before the class started, Nico woke me up. The lesson went smoothly, I learned what the instructor was talking about maybe because I took a nap then we had a quiz.

Nauna ako matapos kaysa kay Nico, habang siya naman ay hindi nakita na natapos na ako. Hindi ko na siya hinintay dahil gusto ko nang maka-uwi. Hindi talaga maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Kanina ko lang naramdaman na nanlalamig ang katawan ko at bumibigat ang ulo. Buti nga at natapos ko na ang quiz bago pa naman ako dito mag collapse.

Palabas na ako ng (coeng) building nang may humarang sa akin.

"Reggie, right?" She asked as if she knew me. I nodded without looking at her then found a way to pass by but she blocked the way again.

Tinignan ko lang ito ng tamad. "What?" I asked sounded uninterested.

"Wanna join our party this evening?" She asked with this clingy tone voice. She even looked me up and down with her biting lips. Bruh, what are you doing?

I didn't answer, instead I tried again to escape but she clung to my arms. "Why don't you try? C'mon. It's a welcome party, you know." She said while hugging my arms. Damn, what kind of insect is she?

"Can you let go of for a second?" I asked flatly, then she did. "Thanks." I sarcastically said then leave them be. Now, I'm good.

I don't want girls like that. They are so clingy. Just, I don't want that kind of woman, for real.

Habang naglalakad palabas ng school, umiikot na ang paningin ko. As in, totally parang nag mi-mixed up na ang lahat. Iba na rin ang kulay na nakikita ko, more on black and white na. I don't know what's happening, but my head was spinning.

Tumigil muna ako at pumikit-pikit muna ako para maayos ang paningin ko, but it wasn't working

I held my head. Fuck, I could even feel my body lose its balance. I tried my best to stand up straight but it's not enough of a reason for me to fall on the ground.

I even heard people shout from what happened to me, but that was also the moment I lost my consciousness.

Nagising ako ng mabigat pa ang ulo. I tried to open my eyes to see clearly, but my eyesight was blurry. I blinked multiple times then heard someone clanked at the door.

Wait, think of it.

Nilibot ko ang paningin sa buong kapaligiran. It was room, but it wasn't mine. Na saan ako?

Lumingon ako sa kapapasok lang na babae, may dala siyang pagkain. Napadako rin ang tingin ko sa side table at nakita doon ang palanggana na may tubig, at doon ko lang din napansin na may nakapatong na towel sa ulo ko nang mahulog ito pagkaanggat ko ng katawan.

"You awake." She smiled.

"Isla.. " I mumbled. What is she doing here?

"Here," binaba niya ang pagkain. "Eat this. Kailangan mo ng laman tiyan, iinom ka pa ng gamot." Wika nito at pinakita sa akin ang gamot para sa lagnat.

Hinawakan ko ang noo ko at pakiramdaman ito. I have a fever. "Thanks." I said as I helped myself to sit up.

She started to mix the soap and the scoop as she blew on it. "Here," wika nito.

Hindi ko iyon tinanggap sabay tingin sa kaniya. "I have a fever and my limbs are still complete" I said. Yes, sounded rude but it was fact. I don't like to owe from someone.

"Suit yourself." She let me hold the spoon and started to eat, but looked at me.

Binaba ko ng marahan ang kutsara tsaka tumingin sa kaniya. "Do you really have to stare at me?" I frankly asked.

Napakurap siya bago umiwas ng tingin. I even saw how her hands wiped her cheek. I don't know why, but do I have to know?

"S-Sorry." Humarap ito sa akin nang may malamig na ekspresyon sabay pilit na ngumiti. "Sa baba muna ako." Ani nito bago umalis ng kwarto.

I have no idea what is going on with her. She's totally different today. What happened to her?

Hindi ko na muna iyon inisip at nagsimula na kumain. Honestly, I don't have any appetite, but I also hate to waste food. It was just that Ate Chona taught me to have good manners towards food. I'm just used to it.

Nang matapos ko ang pagkaina, dinala ko iyon sa baba then there I saw Nico was cooking at the kitchen. Wow, the food smells good. Nang makarating ako sa kusina, nilagay ko sa lababo ang pinggan at doon tinignan kung ano ang niluluto niya.

I don't know what it's called but it really smells so good, though I don't like the food's image. It was just my choice.

"Oh, hey." He saw me leaving the kitchen.

Humarap ako sa kaniya at hinintay ang sasabihin nito.

"Do you eat spicy food?" He asked while his focus was on the food. Umiling ako at ngumiti nalang ng tipid.

"Oh I see..." Narinig ko pang wika nito. Buti na nga lang hindi na ako kinulit nito. Dahil kapag kaganoon ang nangyari, ewan ko nalang, baka mainis ako sa hindi oras.

Pumunta ako sa sofa kung saan nakatambay si Isla. She was just keep on clicking the remote then the channel kept on changing. Seems like she was unconsciously doing it.

I grabbed the remote at her hands. I could feel how she flinched which make her to bring the sanity back to reality. Umayos ito ng upo at mabilis na kinuha ang kanyang kamay na nasa kamay ko. Binaba ko ang remote habang nakatingin sa kaniya.

Something really bothers her, for some reason I can't still figure out what it was. It's hard to read her, okay.

"How are you feeling?" She asked me. Now, I could see her eyes. It was all pinkish like she cried. What the fuck happened to her? Fuck! I don't even know why I'm so curious about it.

I nodded, not saying any word.

"This is our house. Kuya Nico bought this for us. The university was just nearby." She scoffed. "Yet, I don't even think it was nearby. We even have to use his scooter to get into university."

"You?" I asked unconsciously. She looked at me with a confused face.

"Huh?" She asked.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, while my eyes were on her eyes. I can't help it, for real. I don't know what was gotten into me. But anyways, let's do this.

"Ah..." She beamed a little. "You want juice? Wait, I'll go get it." Palusot nito at tumungo ng kusina.

"Guess I should mind my own business." I mumbled as I scratched the back of my head. Why do I even bother?!

"Rej?" I saw how Nico's head popped up in the kitchen.

Tinaas ko lang ang dalawa kong kilay para malaman kung ano ang kailangan niya sa akin.

"Help me with this one." He said then back to the kitchen. Tinulungan ko naman ito ilagay ang mga pagkain sa lamesa habang si Isla naman ay nilagok na ang dalawang canned juice na sabi niya kukuha daw siya kanina.

Is she nervous or something? Ugh, dude. Let her be.

Inaya pa ako ni Nico na kumain pero sabi ko busog pa ako kaya aakyat nalang ako sa taas. "Thanks for taking care of me. Is it okay to leave later?" I asked.

Napatigil naman ang dalawa, nagkatinginan bago tumango. "Okay, okay. Just tell us what time you want to leave." Nico nodded while he was organizing plates on the table.

Umakyat na ako at kinuha ang bag ko. Maybe I'll do my assignment now since I'm a bit okay. I may still feel the little headache, but I'm okay. I can keep on going.

I did what I had said. I work on my assignment. It takes me 3 hours to finish all of those since I have to recall some courses to answer this assignment. Now, I'm done. I packed all of the things then went downstairs. There I saw the two of them sleeping on the couch. They are leaning on each other while sleeping.

It's cute, yet my focus was only on Isla. She's beautiful even when she is sleeping.

Napatigil ako sa iniisip ko. Rej, ano ba. Tama na kakaisip. You always tell yourself to stop but look, you are the one who can't do both.

Fuck. Napahawak nalang ako sa noo ko sabay iling. Maybe I should get going. Nilagpasan ko na ang dalawa dahil mahimbing ang tulog ng dalawa. I can get home by myself.

Nasa labas na ako ng bahay nila, kaso hindi ko alam kung saan ang daan palabas ng village na 'to. Nak ng teteng naman oh.

Gabi na at hindi ko pa dala ang cellphone ko. Hindi ko naman alam kung saan ang direksyon dahil pareho ng madilim ang daan. Now, what to do?

I remained silent--thinking what would be the best. Come back inside then ask the two or walk on my own.

Ginulo ko ang buhok dahil sa hindi ko alam ang gagawin.

"Hey," agad akong napalingon kay Isla na nasa likod ko. She was wearing a hoodie. I even saw the motor key on her hands. "You in?" She asked with a smile.

"What about Nico?" I asked.

But she just scoffed. "Kuya's sleep can't be cut by anyone. "

"Oh, I see." Napakamot nalang ako sa likod ng ulo ko. "Well, you know..." I don't know what word should be appropriate. But, all I did was to act 'I don't have a choice'. She smiled before going to the garage.

Nang makarating ito sa harap ko, gamit na naman niya ang motor ni Nico. "Hey, you shouldn't have to bring that motor---"

"Get in, before he'll wake up." She cutted my words.

"Huh? I thought --"

Isla chuckled. "When it was his babies who made a noise, he would wake up immediately." She said then I grabbed the helmet. "So, you better hurry if you want to go home immediately."

Fine, let's do this. Just pray that I'll still be alive before getting home.