Beneath The Clandestine Paradise (Chaotic Series #3)

Kabanata 13

Beneath The Clandestine Paradise

Kabanata 13

Kung hindi pa ako tinadtad ng tawag ni Ruiz, hindi ako magigising kinaumagahan. Umagang-umaga, ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko. I feel like I'm going to catch a flu.

"Y-Yeah..." sagot ko sa tawag ni Ruiz at dumapa sa kama, inaantok pa.

"You're not answering your phone calls, babe," Ruiz breathed. "We're here. We arrived early this morning. What's up? Your voice's rough."

"I'm still on the bed. Can't get up yet. Sleepy still..."

My throat feels scratchy. It feels so rough and dusty. Maybe it's because of the dust on the site yesterday. Looks like I might get sick.

Hindi ko na naintindihan pa ang pinagsasasabi ni Ruiz dahil kinumutan muli ako ng kaantukan. My head hurts when I woke up again. Nasa kamay ko ang nakatulugan kong phone at tumutunog 'yon. Ruiz is calling me again.

"Still asleep?"

"U-Uh-yeah..." I moaned and dug the side of my face into a soft pillow. "My head aches and my throat's rough. I feel like I'm getting sick. I can't check the site yet... ugh... sakit."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I wanna check up on you. Can I go up, Ms. Alegna?"

Napapitlag ako sa gulat nang mapagtantong hindi si Ruiz ang tumawag.

Oh my god! It's Grim!

"H-Hey..." napabalikwas ako ng bangon. "I thought it was-" literal na nanuyo ang aking lalamunan kaya hindi ko na nasundan ang sunod na sasabihin sabayan pa ng umaatikabong kumpas ng puso ko. "Grim?"

"Yeah. Ayos ka lang? Are you still in bed?"

I felt like a fool as my heart pounded as I heard Grim's concerned voice on the other line. Where is he now? Nasa baba?

I swallowed hard. "I'm still on my bed. Where are you?"

"Here outside. Been waiting for you."

Mas lalo akong napalunok. "Kanina pa?"

"Seven."

I glanced at the wall clock in my bedroom. It's 11:14 AM! He's been waiting for me outside for four hours! I did not text him, though...

"I'm okay," I said huskily. "Just check the site. Kayong dalawa na lang ni Ani ang tumingin doon. I can't..."

Fuck! I remember how mad I was yesterday at him! I even slammed the door on him. And now this?

"I need to get up and eat. I'll just follow later."

"Can I check you first, then?"

I held my forehead. I'm not running a fever. My head just hurts and my throat. That's all I'm feeling, but...

"Okay!"

I bit my lip. It seems like I'm too happy about saying 'okay,' even though I practically shut him out last night. Really? What's happening to me? Dapat ay naalibadbaran ako sa kaniya kasi sinungaling siyang lalaki at feeling mabango.

It feels like a wrong decision to agree because I panicked about what to do next. I went to the door and unlocked it. I quickly returned to the bed and wrapped myself in the comforter. I sat and held my head, pretending to be in real pain.

I heard a knock on the door. It's Grim! Holy crap!

"Open," I said hoarsely while clutching my head.

The door silently opened. Umalingasaw agad ang matapang na pabango ni Grim bagaman nasa pintuan pa lang siya. I bit my lip and dared not to look at him. I'm in pain but I need to act I'm very hurt.