Chapter 18

Rhainne Jhammira Alethea Lopez

P.E namin ngayon kaya naman nasa court kami. We're currently warming up kasi mag start kaming mag volleyball. Well I'm good at this, I just stopped playing. Dati akong captain ball sa US so I know to ace this game

"Ako na!"- sigaw ko sa kateam ko ng makitang malapit ng tumama ang bola sa sahig but I was on time to save it.....the problem is I didn't save myself from kamalasan. Fuck!

"ULAN!!"-rinig kong sigaw ng tatlo kong kaibigan kasabay ng pagbagsak ko sa sahig at pag angat naman ng bola. I did my goal. I made it.

"You're so stupid!"- singhal ni Rayla ng makalapit ito sakin. Kasalanan ko pa, I just saved the ball but I didn't save myself "Bitch, tulungan mo nalang akong tumayo. Ang sakit ng paa ko" sagot ko dito at agad naman akong inalalayan ng tatlo

"Ms. Lopez, you should visit the clinic. Your friends will be there to assist you," my professor advised. That's how my friends ended up accompanying me to the clinic, ready to help me through it all. Kaso hindi sila natigil magsermon hanggang sa makarating kaming clinic.

When we arrived at the clinic, the nurse guided me to a bed and helped me settle in comfortably.

"Ouch, masakit nurse"- asik ko ng biglang hawakan ng nurse yung paa ko, shit mukang may pilay pa. Malas ko naman.

"It's your fault. Dapat kasi hindi mo na hinabol yung bola"- asik ni Rayla habang tinatarayan ako "stop saying it all over again" I boredly answer pano ba naman kanina pa siya sabi ng sabi na dapat di ko na daw hinbol, dapat daw pinabayaan ko na lang daw tapos tignan ko daw nangyari

"Will you two stop already. It already happened. Nurse kumusta po lagay ng paa ng kaibigan namin?"- singit ni Jenaiah na kanina pa napapailing sa bangayan namin ni Rayla. Si Amrielle naman ay nasa gilid nakaupo mukang inaantok "what if di ka na makalakad Ulan" biglang sabi ni Amrielle kaya naman nabato ko siya ng unan "Aray!" sigaw nito ng tamaan nung unan. OA ang Lambot na nga nung unan

"Manahimik ka diyan. Papalunok ko sayo yan unan" pagbabanta ko dito na siyang kiantahimik nito. Good girl

“Not really, but it’ll hurt. Let’s just put some ice on it first, then apply some ointment. After that, I’ll give you something to ease the pain,” the nurse said. I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. I had no other choice; it was better than risking swelling, after all. Mas gugustuhin kong mapunta sa clinic kesa sa hospital.

_____

Natapos narin ang trahedya na naranasan ko, that fucking hilot was so masakit. Hindi man lang ako aware na sobrang sakit pala. I almost lost my voice murmuring how it damn pained me. I regret catching that ball though, tama nanaman si Rayla.

"Ali"- tawag ng kung sino kaya naman nawala ang focus ko sa cellphone ko, it's Ate with her Friends. Pag sinabing friends, lahat ng kaibigan niya yon.

"Oh My baby Mira. How's your feet? Hala omg! Namamaga na siya. Can you walk?"- Prof Lacson said at lumapit saakin sabay kapit, kala mo Tarsier e

I mentally rolled my eyes on her. Since when did we been closed? Sa pagkakaalam ko hindi kami gaanong close perp wagas siyang makakapit ha. I was just joking with her but I didn't say that we're close

"Angelie get away from her!"- bulalas naman ni Ate sabay hila kay Prof Lacson at umupo ito sa tabi ko, malaki naman yung bed. Minsan ang hirap basahin ni Ate,  she's like a mother who's so protective of her daughter.

"Relax, Ryleigh," she said, a teasing smile spreading across her face. "I'm just checking on your sister." Her playful tone was hard to resist, a mischievous glint in her eyes that made it clear she was just trying to get a rise out of her. Mahilig talaga siyang mang-asar, asar talo pa naman si Ate.

While the three professors are just watching us.

"I heard what happe--" pinutol ko ang sasabihin niya "bakit ko hinabol yung bola?" I said na siyang kinatawa niya

"No. Silly. I wouldn't blame you for that. I know how much you love playing in court"- she said, her genuine smile wrapping around me like a warm embrace, a reminder of home and comfort.

But how did she know?

"It looks worse"- dagdag niya pa

"I'm fine, uuwi narin ako mamaya maya. I'm just waiting for my friend's Ate"- sagot ko naman

"Umuwi na sila. I told them to go home already"- she said that made me shock, fuck?. Tama narinig ko diba? Iniwan nila ako? Fuck them.

Iniwan ako. Paano ako uuwi? Mga siraulo.

"I'll let Celine get you home. May gagawin pa kasi ako"- Ate said na mas lalong nag pagulat sa buong sistema ko, great just great.

"Wait. Can I just go with Prof. Alvares?” I blurted out, catching her off guard. Her expression shifted, surprise flickering across her face as if she hadn’t anticipated my request. The room felt charged, tension hanging in the air as I watched her process my words. I could sense the unspoken questions swirling between us, and for a moment, ramdam ko ang pares ng mata na ang sama ng tingin saakin, it's Miss Presley.

"I-I'm sorry Ali I can't. I have so many things to do right now"- sagot nya that made me hopeless. I lost again.

Malas nga

"Mauna na kami, Celine please keep her safe, for me"- Ate said while looking in my direction. Nasa tabi niya si Prof Alvares na mukang guilty. Nakokonsensya ata kasi di niya magrant yung request ko. Ayoko kasing makasama yung babaeng iniwan nila dito, pano ba naman everytime na nasa paligid siya para akong hinaheart attack sa sobrang bilis ng puso ko tapos nakakahiya pa dahil lagi niya akong nakikitang umiiyak, damn it.

"Let's go"- she said ilang minuto bago makaalis sila Ate. Let's go daw pano ako mag lalakad? Ano isang paa? Edi nag muka akong tanga

Mukang wala namang balak tumulong to si Miss kaya ako nalang mag isang tatayo. I'm a strong independent woman.

"Stupid!"- sigaw nya ng makitang tumayo ako mag isa. Aba sabing kaya ko eh.

"You just got treatment, and here you are! You're so hardheaded; I don't know why I'm even trying to mend things with a stubborn child like you," she said, gripping my arm. A shock of electricity shot through my body, bursting something deep within me. My heart raced, pounding wildly against my chest. What have you done to me, Miss Presley?

“Gosh, Lopez, now you’re staring at me. You really are strange.” ako tulala? Sakanya? Sa ganda ba naman niya sinong hindi

"Come on let's go" she said at inalalayan ako palabas ng university. Don't tell me ihahatid niya rin ako pauwi?

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked, raising an eyebrow with a mix of curiosity and challenge.

"To my car?" sagot ko na kinakunot ng noo niya, mukang ayaw niya pakong pauwiin

"Did you hear what Ryleigh said earlier? I’ll take you home, Lopez. Can you please stop being so stubborn for once?"- sagot niya at binuksan ang pinto ng kotse niya kaya naman pumasok nako. Ayoko pa mamatay no

Tahimik lang kami sa kotse, wala naman kasing pag uusapan. Tsaka ayoko rin siyang kausapin ngayon. Gusto ko na matulog. Inaantok na ako. Parang ang tagal pa ng oras.

We arrived at my house safely. Syempre bagal nga mag drive ni Miss Presley e. Ingat na ingat ba naman sa pag drive kung ako yon nakipag karera nako sa ibang kotse.

"Here," she said, extending her hands toward me.

"What? Are you just going to stare at it?" She raised an eyebrow, a hint of impatience in her voice. "You can’t walk; that’s why I’m offering my arms." Her expression was fierce, as if she could read my thoughts, challenging me to accept her help. Masyado nang marami ang utang na loob ko sa propesorang to. Hindi ko naman matanong si Ate kung bakit siya ang inutusan niya. Pwede naman sanang si Prof Alvares nalang cousin naman yon ni Mom but as she said she's busy.

Kinuha ko na kamay niya bago pa mas lalong magalit to. She helped me hanggang sa makapasok kami saktong nakita namin ang tatlo kong kaibigan na nag aayos nang hapag kainin

"Oh nandito na pala kayo"- ngiting sabi ni Rayla, kala mo nanay eh. Based on her tone alam niyang si Miss Presley ang mag hahatid saakin. May kasalanan pa pala tong tatlong to

"You left me there"- I said in a monotone voice

"Sabi ni Prof Lopez, sinunod lang namin ang utos niya na umuwi na kasi may mag hahatid daw sayo and it looks like si Miss Presley yon"- Amrielle defended

"Yeah, that sucks, but I’m starving," I said as I stood up. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my foot. "Ouch!" I cursed under my breath, realizing I had forgotten about my injury. Frustration bubbled up inside me. How was I supposed to get food now?

"Ay tanga talaga"- hirit ni Amrielle kaya naman sinamaan ko ito ng tingin. Kapal!

"I think I should go now"- our Professor said. Hindi ko namalayang andiyan pa pala siya.

"Thank y--"- hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko ng biglang mag salita si Jenaiah "Ma'am I think we should eat first. Nagluto po si Rayla ng food for us, halika na po. Hoy Amrielle alalayan mo si pilay"- pag aya niya kay Miss Presley at pang aasar naman sakin. Natawa naman ang dalawa dahil sa pag tawag sakin ng pilay. Gumaling lang ako dito sisipain ko tong tatlong to

"Hayaan mo na yan diyan"- hirit ni Rayla. I could feel my irritation rising as my stomach grumbled in protest. “Fuck you” I muttered, unaware that Miss Presley was listening. The words slipped out, charged with my frustration, and I glanced at her, suddenly conscious of the disapproval in her eyes. The air felt heavy, my hunger only elaborating the tension between us.

"Your words Lopez"- iritadong pananaway naman ni Miss Presley. Akmang aalalayan na ako ni Amrielle na ngayon ay tawa parin ng tawa ng biglang hilahin ako ni Miss Presley, galit yan?

___

"You're gonna leave me here? Gosh paano ako tatayo? Fuck this. Curse this life!"- inis kong turan habang nakaupo sa sofa dito sa sala. Maiiwan akong mag isa dito kasi papasok na ang tatlo.

"Oo, kaya mo na yan diba independent woman ka? Tsaka earth to Ulan kinaya mo nga makipagbarilan sa mga tao tapos yan di mo kaya? Wake up you're a bitch "- Rayla said at umalis na. Wala man lang akong nagawa para pigilan sila. They still have class and sinabihan akong wag na daw ako umattend, mga paladesisyon

I rolled my eyes

Independent woman, pero hindi ngayon. How could I walk if every time I tried it was hurting, damn it.

___

Kanina pa tunog ng tunog anh doorbell pero di ko binubuksan. Bakit? Kasi pano ko bubuksan yon kung di ako makalakad ng maayos.

After a minute tumigil na ang pag doorbell at pumasok ang isang bruh—dyosa pala. What the fck is she doing here?. Kilala niyo na to, yung nag hatid sakin kahapon.

"What are you doing here?" minsan talaga hirap pigilan ng bunganga ko. Yes I know sometimes masakit ako mag salita and I can't even care about it. I just want to be alone right now thats why.

“Your friends are at the university, and here you are, all alone,” she said, scanning the room as if searching for something. Clutching a paper bag in her hands, she paused, a playful glint in her eyes. “I was right you were left here all alone"

Pumasok na siya ng tuluyan at pumunta sa kitchen, at hindi ko na siya tinignan pa. Bahala siya, do whatever she wants to do. Hindi rin namana ako mananalo sakanya pag nakipagtalo pa ako.

After a minute naramdaman ko ang pag tabi nito sa inuupuan ko. Then she handed me a plate with food. So eto pala yung laman nung paper bag. Bigla kong naalala na di pa pala ako kumakain simula kaninang pag alis nila Rayla.

Paano nga naman ako kakain kung di ako makalakad papuntang kitchen. Mag titiis nalang ako ng gutom kesa mag tiis sa sakit ng injured foot ko

"The food aren't going to move for you Lopez" a monoted voice again. Sa sobrang gulat ko ay bigla ko nalang nahawakan ang kutsara para kumain. Gosh, everytime na nadito siya nababalisa talaga ako. Which is very unusual. Is she has some kind of magic?

"Since yesterday, it feels like you’re avoiding me," she blurted out, her eyes narrowing. Confusion washed over me as I looked at her. "Just tell me if you don’t want me around," she added, her voice icy and distant. The weight of her words hung in the air, leaving me unsure of how to respond.

Kahapon pa ba ako hindi nag sasalita?. Wala lang ako sa mood makipag usap that's all and yes I don't want her around or near me. Bakit? Kasi hindi ko na maintindihan ang nangyayari sakin. Bakit pag andiyan siya ramdam na ramdam ko ang bigat ng paghinga at pag bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

"I suppose it's a favor for you po Miss Presley, isn't it?" I replied, watching her eyebrows knit together in disbelief. "See how peaceful your life is now that I’m not there to mend it?" The tension hung in the air, hinting at unresolved feelings beneath her frown.

Ano nanamang meron?. Hindi ko na nga siya kinukulit at ginugulo e. Pero siya naman tong lapit ng lapit. Nakakabaliw siyang basahin!

I see her rolled her eyes before answering me "Yeah right it's very peaceful" she sarcastically said as if napipilitan lang siyang umagree sa akin.

"Ay ewan nakakapagod kayo kausap" I suddenly blurted out, oh gosh. Hindi ko nanaman napigilan ang bunganga ko. I'm in trouble, I think?. "Ah so you're being tired with me?" Asik nya na puno ng pananakot or maybe natatakot lang talaga ako sakanya, muka kasing anytime babaliin niya ng tuluyan ang paa ko–joke

"Ha? Sinabe ko ba yon? Baka nabibingi lang kayo"- maang maangan kong sagot, fck I don't know what to respond. My heart beats are getting fast as fuck.

"And now you're saying that I'm deaf. Gosh Lopez I hate this side of yours!"- pasigaw na sabi niya halatang napipikon na. I tried to holdback my laughter but I end up laughing at what she said.

"And now you're laughing at me! Do I look like a clown to you?. So the Rhainne Jhammira Alethea I know is back, you're being naughty again"- she said with amusement, hindi ba dapat galit siya kasi tinawanan ko siya? Bakit parang masaya pa siya. Hala! napapangiti ko na siya. Normal things, no one can resist me kasi

"Correction, a beautiful clown Miss" I said while smiling, that makes my dimples visible

"Tsk. I still don't want to be your clown on your birthday," she said, her tone teasing yet serious. I turned to look at her, confusion flickering in my eyes. My birthday? Had I forgotten?

What date is it?

"Birthday? Malayo pa naman ang birthday ko. Anong petsa na ba Miss"

Stunned by her words, I couldn't help but feel the sting of her teasing. "It's two weeks until your birthday, you know that, right?" she continued, her voice a mix of mockery and disbelief. "Sometimes I wonder where you inherited that brain of yours. All your sisters are so sharp, and here you are, unaware! Did you hit your head when you fell?" Her words echoed in my ears, leaving me both embarrassed and frustrated. How could she say that? I wanted to respond, but the shock left me speechless.

"Pero wait nga Miss pano niyo nalamang birthday ko?"

"Ryleigh invited me at your party. I thought you're the one who prepared it but I guess I was wrong" madaldal siya ngayon no. Infairness nag iimprove na siya

Pero party? I didn't like those things. Err party makes me wanna puke.

"Now you're smiling alone. I think you should go to the hospital to check if you're still normal" she said while shaking her head

"Okay pa po ako Miss. Okay para sayo"- pang aasar ko at mas lalong nilakihan ang ngiti. Alam kong mas lalong makikita ang lalim ng dimple ko na di ko alam kanino ko ba namana.

"Muka nga, nagiging malandi ka nanaman e"

"Wait nag tatagalog ka Miss?"- I said in disbelief, first time kong marinig siyang nagtagalog! Fuck ang sexy!

"Of course stupid!"

"Finish your food para makabalik na ako sa university"- sabi niya at tumayo na para iligpit ang pinag kaininan ko kanina, may dessert kasi eto yung inuubos ko. Siguro siya nag luto non

"Sama"

"Are you crazy? You can't even walk. I'm not your nanny Lopez!"- inis na bulyaw niya at umalis na. Tinawanan ko lang siya hanggang sa makalabas ng bahay ko.

What a great day

Thank you Miss Presley for making me happy again