Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 18

Kabanata 18

"Ah," I grimaced as I gradually lifted myself from the bed. Napasapo ako sa aking sintido at hinilot ito. I was dizzy and I still feel cold.

"Kumusta ka?" tanong sa akin ng isang nurse. I looked at her and immediately concluded that it's our school nurse because of her scrubs.

"I'm okay. . ." sagot ko sa kan'ya. Umismid ako nang mapansin na napalitan na ang damit ko. I was wearing a white shirt and a loose PE pants.

"There's no CCTVs installed in the pool area? Tapos ang mahal ng tuition fee namin?"

Napalingon ako sa lalaking kinakausap ang isa sa mga doctor na nakabantay rito. The doctor looked confused too. Nanggagalaiti naman ang boses ng lalaking nakatalikod.

"Kuya. . ." I mumbled, agad ko itong binawi nang bumaling siya sa akin ng tingin. Naka-pameywang siya kanina kaya naman nang makita ko ang masungit n'yang itsura ay agad ako'ng umayos ng upo.

"Adren."

"Who pushed you?" malamig na tanong ni Adren.

Umiling ako. "Hindi ko nakita ang mukha."

Adren blankly stared at me as if he's disappointed that I couldn't point out the perpetrator. Isa sa mga bilin sa amin bilang isang Reverio — never let anyone belittle a Reverio. At dahil hindi ko alam ang itsura ng mga 'yon ay hindi ko rin alam kung sino ang mananagot sa nangyari.

I clenched my teeth.

"Hijo, hindi kaya aksidente lang ang nangyari? Bakit gan'yan agad ang tanong mo?" tanong ng doktor na pinagmamasdan kaming dalawa.

Nagkatitigan kami ni Adren. We've been trained to always think about the possible danger and that everyone is an enemy, no matter how close they are to you. We were always cautious of our surroundings.

Ngumiti lang si Adren. "If this was an accident, it probably wasn't." matalinhagang utas n'ya.

Of course. We could rule out the possibilty that this was an accident because I certainly heard people laughing at my demise. I glanced at Adren who looked uncomfortable. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. Ayon na rin sa kwento ni Anais no'ng nasa mansion pa siya, Adren was the one who saw Dayanara killing Solstice. He's probably still blaming himself for not saying anything to the police. Hawak siya sa leeg ng kan'yang sariling pamilya.

Ang nangyari kay Solstice noon ay pinalabas din namang aksidente ni Dayanara subalit alam naman namin na hindi 'yon totoo. The Reverios would cover up every dirt that they have to maintain the reputation of their name. At kahit pa buhay ang kapalit ay wala silang pakialam.

It sucks to be a Reverio.

I was discharged after Adren fetched me. Pinagamit n'ya sa akin ang isang jacket para mabawasan ang lamig na nararamdaman ko. May aircon pa rin kasi sa loob ng clinic kung kaya't hindi nabawasan ang panglalamig ng aking katawan.

I sniffed my hair. Agad ako'ng napangiwi dahil amoy chlorine. Ang tapang pa naman nito kaya agad kong winaksi ang aking buhok.

"Do you know who helped me?"

"No," agap ni Adren. "I tried asking the nurses and doctor, but they also couldn't provide an answer. May hinala ka ba?"

Agad ako'ng umiling. "Magtatanong ba ako kung mayroon?"

Adren snickered but his eyes softened. "Palagi kang magi-ingat, Lavender."

Natigilan ako sa paglakad at pinanood si Adren na tumalikod sa akin upang mauna. My shoulders slumped as my heart warmed at the mention of my real name.