Scarcity of Chances

Chapter 40

My palms are all sweaty as I held Kylo's hand. Even if the nurse on the University's infirmary assured me that he'll be fine and just passed out due to fatigue, I cannot help but feel uneasy.

I stared at his face void of any pore. He looks so peaceful when he sleeps. The small part in between his lips gives me a glimpse of his gleaming teeth. I heaved a deep sigh before relying on the sliver of tranquil his slow breathing delivered.

Naalala ko kung gaano ako kaalala kanina nang bigla siyang bumagsak sa harap ko. Kahit hindi ko ugali kumausap basta-basta ng ibang tao ay ginawa ko para lang makahingi ng tulong. Mabuti na lang, may isang grupo ng mga lalaki hindi kalayuan sa amin ang tumulong sa akin dalhin si Kylo rito.

I want to inform his mother about what happened but at the same time, concerned that I might worry her, especially now that she and Kylo's brothers went back to Singapore. Iyong tatay naman niya ay hindi ko pa nakikilala subalit kung ibabase sa kuwento niya noon ay mukhang hindi sila ayos nito.

Mabuti na lang din, pinayagan akong manatili rito ng nurse kahit na hindi ako pasyente. Nagkunwari nga lang akong walang pasok kahit na mayro'n naman talaga. Tutal naman ay kakatapos pa lang ng midterms at siguradong wala pang magdi-discuss ng bagong topic.

Kung sabagay, si Kylo lang naman ang pasyenteng naririto kaya't wala naman kaming maaabala. And it's not as if I'll cause some chaos or disruption.

Probably because it was around one o'clock in the afternoon, I suddenly felt sleepy. At first, I was trying to fight it because no one else will look out for Kylo but a few moments later, I unconsciously dozed off while seating on the chair beside the bed, using Kylo's arm as my pillow.

And then, I had a dream. A very familiar one. It was the nightmare I used to have countless nights back in the other bubble. That exact nightmare Miss Bellinda told me that was experienced by our counterparts in real life.

I saw everything again. From the magazine, the turbulence, and the dreadful crash. Bumalik sa utak lahat ng mga detalyeng iyon sa hindi malamang dahilan.

Kaya naman naging marahas ang paggising ko. I was slightly sweaty and my breathing was rapid as I straightened my back. Iyon ang bagay na nakita ni Kylo na gising na pala ngayon. Imbes na ako ay siya tuloy ang binahiran ng pag-aalala.

"Van... what's wrong?"

I immediately collected myself as I shook my head. I scooted beside him and started examining his face, forgetting about the nightmare I just had.

"Don't worry about me. We should think about you. I was so worried! Are you okay? I'm so glad you're awake!"

His eyes suddenly glistened as he stared at my face. The next thing I knew, I was already wrapped in his arms. It was so tight, as if he's been longing to hug me for decades.

"I'm sorry, Van. I'm so sorry," bigla niyang saad sa basag na tinig na siyang ikinagulat ko.

"K-Kylo?"

"I'm sorry I left you. I-I didn't really want to go. I didn't want to leave you alone there."

Time seemed to slow down upon realizing what was happening and where all of his words are coming from. My jaw went slack as I tried to loosen the embrace so I could stare at his face.

Tiningala ko siya at nakita ang namuong mga luha sa paligid ng mga niya. At kahit hindi ito sakit ay hindi ko napigilang mahawa.

"D-Do you... remember what happened now?"

His right hand made its way to my cheek just to brush the tears that pooled in my eyes. He took a deep breath before confirming my question.

"I remember everything now. Every single thing."