How Love Grows (Completed)

Kabanata 18

Kabanata 18

Pride

The world is very abusive; there is no exemption; everyone experiences it.

 

The sun rises the way it should, and it is still here waiting for her. Naiwan ko ang cellphone ko sa bahay dahil sa pagmamadali, but I can still figure out what time it is. I feel hungry in my stomach, but I don't mind it. I am still waiting for her. Even now, I am trembling because of my wet clothes. Kanina lang tumila ang ulan.

 

My instinct tells me to wait for her. Kilala ko si Eve; she would never turn back all of her words. Kapag sinabi niyang dadating siya, dadating talaga 'yon! She's my best friend. She is someone I only have. Then, why would I give up on her?

 

Tumulo na naman ang luha ko dahil sa iniisip. My lips feel so dry, and I wanted to drink some water. Nanlamig ako sa hangin, kahit sumikat na ang araw. I stared at the street while my eyes were very tired and my tears were falling. I've waited here for almost 12 hours, but Eve is nowhere to be found.

 

Felicity, konting oras pa. Bakit ba kasi umasa ka? Why are your expectations higher than your side's thoughts?

 

After a minute of crying, ramdam ko na ang pamamaga ng mga mata ko. My throat is drying, and my head hurts. Tumayo ako para sana umalis nalang, pero sa pagtayo ko kaagad akong nahilo. Before I could fall to the floor, large, warm hands caught my back. Nakapikit ako habang nakahawak sa balikat ng lalaki. I know it's a stranger, but I couldn't complain right now. Lalo pa at nahihilo na ako.

 

After a minute, I heard him groan. His scent is familiar, as is the length of his hands. Hindi na ako umangal ng bigla niya akong binuhat na katulad ng bridal style. Isang kamay lang ako kumapit sa leeg niya.

 

Ah! That smell. Saan ko ba 'yon na amoy?

 

"Felicity." His voice sounds worried. The man spoke when he put me down in his car. He gave me a coat, and that felt so warm.

 

"Are you okay?" he asked again.

 

Hindi ko siya sinagot. Hindi ko mabuka ang aking mga mata sa sobrang pagod ko. Nakapikit akong sumadal sa backrest ng sasakyan niya.

"Baby, what's happening?" The gentleness of his voice makes me hope that this stranger is a good person. "Baby… Felicity…" 

 

His voice is very familiar. Something I rarely heard, but my mind can still identify the softness of his voice. Hindi ko lang maalala kung kanino 'yon.

 

Nakapikit pa rin ako at nanghihina. Even though my body is weak, my mind is still functioning enough to notice everything. Pero sa sobrang pagod ko at ng nakaramdam na akong ng init dahil sa kumot na binigay niya sa 'kin. Bigla akong inaantok. But before everything went black, I tried to utter a word.

 

"Home, please," I pleaded.

 

Gumising ako na may nararamdaman malagkit sa noo ko. My head is still in pain. My body feels like a corpse. Winaksi ko ang panyo na nasa noo at dahan-dahan na tumayo kahit nahihirapan na. My eyes were close but emitting pain. May narinig akong tinig ng isang pamilyar na lalaki at paghawak niya sa 'kin.