Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 21

Disclaimer: This chapter contains mature content that is not suitable for young readers. R-18.

21
Sorry

"Alfred Buenaventura," mabilisang saad ni Octavian nang makalapit kami sa nurse's station.

"Room 15, 4th floor, Sir."

Agad kaming naglakad papalayo mula roon at hinanap ang elevator. Saktong walang nakapila at na sa ground floor ito kaya naman agad kaming nakapasok at pinindot ang palapag na sinabi ng nurse. We are both breathing heavily, standing beside each other and anticipating what we are about to see.

Just what the fuck is happening and why is our friend suddenly in the hospital?

Lucifer called to inform that Alfred was apparently rushed in the emergency room, and according to Octavian's reaction, I think the situation's really bad. Kahit noong na sa sasakyan pa kami ay wala siyang binanggit na ibang detalye tungkol dito, and it's frustrating the hell out of me!

He was just silent the whole time he was driving and I was left with no choice but to shut up. I didn't want to trigger an outburst because I knew he was also at the end of the rope.

Regardless of that, I still feel like I need to know the situation of Alfred first before I could see it with my own two eyes. Sobrang kaba ang aking nararamdaman at sa tingin ko'y pwede nang sumabog ang puso ko sa pag-aalala.

"Fuck," Octavian cursed lowly which made me turn my head at his direction.

Hinilamos niya ang kaniyang mukha gamit ang kaniyang mga palad habang hinihintay na umakyat ang mga numero. He looks so exasperated, and upset, and worried at the same time. Mas lalo lamang siyang hindi napakali nang bumukas ang pintuan sa ibang palapag para makasakay din ang ibang mga tao.

I reached for his hand and gripped it tighter. Tumingin siya sa akin bigla at nakita ko kung gaano namungay ang kaniyang mga mata. He levelled the way how I held his hand, trying to take a grip too.

We were able to reach floor and we quickly looked for Room 15. Hindi naman mahirap hanapin ang kwarto dahil halos magkak-hanay lamang sila.

"There," I pointed when I found it.

Kumatok muna kami bago tuluyang pumasok. What welcomed my eyes would be the scariest scene I have seen my entire life. I felt my heart constricting in pain as if I was sharing the same struggle the person lying in the bed is experiencing. Hindi agad ako nakagalaw at gusto ko na lamang umiyak.

"A-alfred," I gasped, dumbfounded. Lying on the bed is our friend, who seemed like he was beaten up. Namumula sa pasa ang kaniyang mga braso at mukha. "A-anong nangyari?"

"Natalia," Octavian mumbled. Ramdam ko rin ang higpit ng hawak niya sa aking kamay. "Damn it, you're shaking..."

Was it because of their fraternity? Alam kong miyembro si Alfred nito pati rin si Octavian. Ang daming tanong na bumagabag agad sa isip ko. Does that mean that what happened to Alfred could possibly happen to him too?

Pwede rin ba? Would he be...hurt too? Pwede rin ba siyang malagay sa posisyon na ganoon?

"Baby," Octavian snapped and that was enough to wake me up. "Are you okay?"

Inabot ko ang kaniyang mga mata at nakita ko ang kaniyang pag-aalala. I drew a deep breath and calmed myself. I nodded at him and quieted my thoughts.

"Ano'ng nangyari?" I asked, looking around the room. Nandito na rin pala sina Dominic at Lucifer, at mukhang hindi ko na sila napansin sa pagmamadaling makapasok kanina.