Sinking Deep (GL)

CHAPTER 21

Nagising ako sa katok ni mom sa pintuan. "Do you have class today, anak?" she asked, her voice soft yet urgent. I blinked a few times, my grogginess dissipating as I realized the day had begun. Gusto ko pa sanang matulog pero nang mapagtanto kong maliwanag na sa labas ay mabilis akong bumalikwas sa higaan

I glanced at the clock, 7 am. Panic surged through me as I remembered my morning commitments. Not only did I have class, but I also had to assist Ma'am Vivien with painting a mask.

"Opo, I have class," I replied, my voice still thick with sleep. "I'll be downstairs in a bit after I take a quick shower."

I could practically hear her nodding through the door. "Alright, baby. Bilisan mo. Breakfast is ready."

"Yes maaa!" I replied, rubbing my eyes.

I rushed to the bathroom, my mind already racing through the tasks that lay ahead. The cold water jolted me awake, and I scrubbed away the remnants of sleep. After a few minutes of bath, tapos na ako at lumabas ng bathroom.

With my damp hair clinging to my skin, I dressed in a white t-shirt under a black hoodie, perfect for the chilly, overcast weather, and paired it with an oversized pair of pants that always seemed to give me a sense of comfort. Medyo cloudy kasi ang weather at parang uulan pa nga.

Moments later, I emerged from my room, feeling more awake and ready to face the day. I called to my mom, who was likely still in the kitchen.

Bumaba ako at nakita ang nakahain na pagkain sa table.

"Kumain ka na at baka ma-late ka ng pasok, malayo pa ang Silvestre anak," she replied, and her voice carrying reassurance.

"Thanks mom," I nodded to her. Paupo na ako nang may napansin akong mga papel sa kabilang table, madami pero naisip kong baka sa project lang ni dad.

Napansin ni mom ang pagtingin ko sa mga papel na nasa mesa kaya agad niya itong kinuha, "A-ah kumain ka na muna anak, ihahatid ko lang ʼto sa dad mo." May tuno ng takot at pagkabahala ang boses niya.

"Where's-

Hindi ko na natapos ang pagsasalita ko nang mabilis na lumabas si mom sa kitchen sabay pumunta sa kabilang hagdanan - sa kwarto nila ni dad. She's acting weird, papel lang naman ʼyon.

Kumain ako at hindi ko nalang pinansin ang kilos ni mom, pawis pa itong bumalik sa kitchen at pilit na ngumiti sakin.

"Ano po pala ʼyon, mom?" I inquired while eating bacon that my mom cooked.

"W-wala iyon anak... papel lang ng dad mo sa project niya." Mom answered, hesitantly.

Her actions is getting weird, really.

I attempted to dismiss her actions and carried on with my breakfast, but suddenly, a sharp, intense pain gripped my chest. It felt as though someone had thrust a knife into me, and a stifled groan escaped my lips.

"Ah!" I managed to utter, the pain overwhelming. Ang sakit, hindi ako makagalaw.

Concern etched across my mom's face as she asked, her voice laced with worry, "Freyja!?"

Nahihirapan akong huminga dahil sa sakit ng dibdib ko, "M-mom... It hurts," I replied, my voice strained. I instinctively placing a hand over my chest.

My mom's concern escalated, and she urgently called out for my father, her voice tinged with panic. "Anton! Anton! Your daughter!!" sigaw ni mom.

The pain persisted, refusing to subside. I found it difficult to move, my body growing increasingly unsteady. A sense of dizziness began to wash over me, further complicating the situation. Dad swiftly appeared, responding to my mom's call. Gently, he scooped me up and settled me onto the couch. Meanwhile, my mom rushed to fetch a glass of water, her movements marked by haste.