Corrupted Lungs (Complete)

Chapter Fifteen

I tap my pen on my desk impatiently, taking small glances towards the clock hanging on the wall above the board.

Two minutes. . .

Just two minutes more and this will be over.

Napatungo ako at hinigpitan ang kapit sa ballpen ko upang pigilin ang sarili na mapubo. Not now.

Sa pagtunog ng bell indicating na labasan na ay mabilis kong binuksan ang bag ko upang ilagay ang mga gamit ko. Desperately trying my best to keep my breathing calm, not to heave.

Just as when our teacher got out the classroom, I scrambled up my feet dashing out through the other door not minding the stares my classmates was giving me. I've reach the restroom in no time, setting myself on the nearest sink.

I heave. Desperately gasping for air as flower petals burst out from my mouth. It tasted iron and blood. Vines clasp tightly around my lungs, squeezing every drob of air I have. Its getting too heavy on the pit of my stomach.

A tear escaped my eyes when a full bloom flower fell, blood dripping from my own mouth. My throat feels dry and stingy. As if wound manifested on my insides.

It hurts.

It's frightening.

It's horrible.

But, it's beautiful.

I flashed away the petals, washing my face as well as gently washing away the bloods painting the blue rose. Delicately drying it, wrapping it with my handkerchief and putting it inside my bag.

I stared at myself in the mirror before washing my face one last time. Wiping away the remnants of petals hanging on my teeth, cleansing the sink before finally heading back. Breathing in and out heavily to calm down the flowers inside.

"Hey," napaigtad ako sa tinig na iyon. Gulat ko pang nilingon ang may-ari nito't 'di ko napigilang mapalunok ng laway nang makilala ito.

"A-Arkie. . . W-what are you doing here. . .?" I asked, taking careful steps away from him.

He narrowed his eyes before speaking. "What happened to you?"

Umiwas ako ng tingin at pilit na ngumiti. "Upset stomach."

"Have you taken any medicine?" muling tanong niya. Tumango naman ako bilang sagot kahit pa hindi naman iyon ang totoo. "Alright, then let's go home."

"Huh?" pagtataka ko. Napakurap pa ako ng ilang beses dahil sa pagtataka. "B-but. . . What about Heather?"

"Her brother picked her up." sagot lang niya saka nagpatiunang maglakad. "Hurry up, the store will close soon."

Nagugulumihan man ay napasunod nalang ako rito. Sabay kaming lumabas ng campus at naglakad tungo sa malapit na café. He ordered the usual frapp and sundae before we headed to the bus station. We were silent the whole minute of walking.

"You've been awfully quiet," biglang basag niya sa katahimikan. Nag-aalangan ko naman itong sinipat at nakitang nakatitig ito sa akin. "Is there something wrong?"

Umiling ako at pilit na ngumiti. "Nothing. I was just thinking about stuffs."

"What stuffs?"

"Secret." I told him, flashing a smile. He eyed me suspiciously, arching an eyebrow up. Ibinaling ko naman ang atensiyon ko sa harapan bago muling magsalita. "Hey, let's not take the bus."

"What?"

"It's still early. And it's been a while. So, let's walk back home." suhestiyon ko bago siya tingnan. Para naman itong 'di alam ang isasagot sa sinabi ko kaya dinugtungan ko ulit ito. "It'll be almost sunset when we get there. We can watch it."