Love is a Riot

31

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"Check on Imari."

"Bakit ako?" singhal ko kay Cain sa kabilang linya. I rolled my eyes heavenwards kahit na hindi naman niya iyon makikita. "Pakialam ko dyan sa kaibigan n'yo."

He tsked. "He's really sick right now," napahigpit ang kapit ko sa phone na hawak ko. Does this explain why he didn't show up sa school for a couple of days? I was wondering why I barely see him, ang akala ko nga ay maaga lang siyang umuuwi or whatever. As if I care. "Ayaw naman niyang umuwi sa kanila kasi mag-aalala pa daw ang nanay at ang mga ate niya."

I hissed. "Bakit hindi ikaw ang mag-asikaso? Nasaan ba si Asl? Kasalanan ko bang nagkasakit 'yan?"

"Sandali lang ako, may pupuntahan lang. Promise," he said calmly. "Asl went home for the weekend, so please look after Imari for a short while. I feel really bad na iniwan ko siya doon nang mag-isa kahit na sinabi niyang ayos lang, so I asked you."

I sighed before ending the call without saying a word, at kaagad na kinuha ang mga gamit ko para doon na lang gumawa ng mga kailangan kong gawin. These days, I kept myself busy with schoolworks so I can keep things out of my mind. Nakatulong rin naman ito dahil bukod sa naging productive ako kahit papaano, medyo nawala rin sa isip ko ang mga kailangan kong isipin.

I sighed again, and didn't deny the fact that I still care for Imari even after what happened that day. And I lied to Cain about not considering Imari as my friend. Kahit naman mayroon akong nararamdaman na katiting na tampo sa kanya, I still care for him. He had been there for me during my worst times at ayoko namang balewalain iyon.

Bago ako umalis ay sinigurado kong nakasarado nang maayos ang mga bintana at ang pintuan. After making sure that all are set, I came rushing off to their dorm nang walang masyadong nasa isip. All I know is I'm a bit worried about him.

Bumili lang ako ng gamot at dumiretso na doon. I looked around at medyo makulimlim na naman. Kapansin-pansin rin talaga na palaging umuulan nitong nakaraan, pero palagi rin namang mainit ang panahon tuwing umaga. Maybe he got sick dahil rin sa pabago-bagong panahon.

When I got there, I don't know kung namalik-mata lang ba ako o nakita ko si Damian. I don't know if he's following me or what pero medyo natakot ako kaya naman kaagad akong pumasok sa loob. Nagmamadali akong dumiretso sa kwarto ni Imari at doon ay nakita ko siyang may katabing pusa at tahimik niyang nilalaro. It took me seconds to realize that it was Chou that he was playing with, at kaagad siyang napatingin at napatigil nang makita ako sa tapat ng pinto.

Naaaninag ko lang siya dahil sa ilaw na nagmumula sa labas, at nakita ko ang pagkagulat niya nang makita ako pero kaagad niya rin binawi iyon. He sat properly and resumed to pet the cat. He didn't say a word and didn't bat an eye on me ever again.

Even with my lips trembling, Ihurried to sit by his bedside and risked a peek at him. I saw how pale-looking he is, though he looked pale naman talaga palagi. His face is swollen, he has droopy eyelids and looking really tired, but what surprised me the most was the cut above his eyebrows na parang nagsisimula pa lang gumaling. He had purple patches on his face and had a crack on his lips.

"N-Napaaway ka?"

Nagulat rin ako sa sarili kong tanong because I was supposed to ask it to him mentally. Why did I fucking voice it out!

And hello, Cielo? Ang obvious naman! Malamang napaaway 'yung tao! Di bale na lang kung trip lang niyang iumpog ulo niya ano? Ang tanga-tanga ko na naman, alam ko namang hindi ako papansinin nito kaya bakit pa ako nagsalita!