Alzacar Academy

Chapter Thirty-One

Gone

My feet are woobly and my mind is in a daze when Cris was coughing blood. Hindi siya makahinga ng maayos. I hurriedly went towards him. Hindi ko namalayan na naglandas na pala ang mga sariwang luha sa aking pisnge. But it can't be visible because of the rain. All I knew is that the hot tears are rolling down gently.

The others are continue to cover me up. I can hear gunshot and the wheezing bullets of the energized guns but my attention is on Cris'.

"It just nothing.. Aleera." nahihirapang anya.

I shook my head and took my scarf to wrap around the deep wounds. Naabot ang kuko nito sa may tiyan niya. He's losing a lot of blood and it worries me. I frantically held the scarf and snatch his scarf to put pressure on his wound. Basa ang paligid at ang dugo galing sa sugat niya'y dumadaloy din kasama sa tubig ng ulan sa lupa.

Panay ubo siya ng dugo. I sobbed as I called for medic.

"Medic! We have one member down!" I said on the line.

"A-Anong down?" he chuckled. "Kaya.. ko pang tumayo kung gusto.. ko.." he heave a breath.

"Don't talk, it will worsen." diing sabi ko kahit nanginginig na ang aking kamay.

"Tell them.. tell them.. it will be fine. I will be fine–" he coughed.

Napatingin ako sa mata niya. "What are you talking about? Yumiree is on her way? You'll be treated in the infirmary once we got back to the academy, okay?" garalgal na boses kong sinabi 'yon.

He chuckled lightly. "I don't think.. I could make it.."

Pumikit ako at pinilig ang ulo. My tears automatically fell when he said he couldn't make it.

"Medic! We have one down!" ulit ko sa linya.

Bahagyang hinawakan ni Cris ang kamay ko't may inabot sa'kin. Bumaling ako roon at tinignan ang nasa palad ko. Cris' weak hand fell lightly.

"What's this?" I said, frustrated. Alam kong kwintas ito pero anong ibig niyang sabihin sa pagbigay sa'kin nito. It's his silver necklace with the small shell pendant on it.

"Give it to my sister.. This necklace belongs to her.." he whispered weakly. "P-Please, don't cry, Aleera.."

"Why? Uuwi tayo, Cris. Don't say that, hmm? Magkikita pa kayo ng kapatid mo. We are going to meet her when this is finally over."

"Tell her how sorry I am.."

Umiling ako. I'm trying to shake the thought away. Makakaya pa niya. I know he can make it.

"Cris, you have to stay with me. Help is on the way." nanginginig ang boses ko.

Yumiree went to our direction. May kinuha siyang rolyo ng bandages at gamot sa kanyang first aid bag. I cried when Cris held my hand. He gave me a small reassuring smile but that smile scared me when he face the sky above.

"Cris.. Uuwi pa tayo." I said.

Nahihirapan na siyang huminga at patuloy parin ang ulan. I looked into his eyes, his chocolate brown hair and his face. Pumikit ako ng mariin at humagulgol ng iyak. He's not talking anymore but he's still breathing, labored.

"Hold on, okay? Don't leave just yet.."

Yumiree took his suit and check the wounds underneath it. Malalim ang kanyang sugat na natamo. Maraming dugo ang nababad sa mga scarf at pati na rin ang kanyang suit. She glance at me. Her eyes welled tears as she shook her head gently but abruptly. May awang nababasa sa kanyang ekspresyon.

"Cris, don't leave us.." nanghihina na ring sambit ko. 

"Cris?"

For the last time, he stared at me until his last breath. I can't help but to cried loudly. Hindi parin napasok sa isip ko ang nangyari. Nanginginig ang aking katawan sa kakaiyak. Cris is a good guy. Bakit siya ang nawala?