Been Through (SCS #3)

23.

"Yara, tapos ka na sa essay?" I looked up and nodded at my blockmate who approached me. Ibinaba ko muna ang hawak na libro para pagtuunan siya ng pansin.

"Why?" tanong ko.

She hesitated for a bit before, smiling at me. "Uh, hindi naman sa mangongopya ako, ha! Ano kasi... hindi ko lang masiyadong na-gets 'yong instruction ni Sir kaya... paano ba 'yon?"

I nodded and took a peek at my paper with my written essay. I explained to her what she's going to do and I could see her nodding.

"Ayon! Salamat, Yara!"

When she went back to her seat, I was left alone again. Inabala ko ang sarili ko sa pagbabasa ng libro habang wala pa ang susunod na professor namin. I sighed as I heard noises from my blockmates talking but, I remained silent.

It has been a year since I was saved from Portia's scheme. It's been a year since I was able to go back to my family. It's been a year since... that one painful slow dance happened.

I once looked forward dancing with someone but, never did I expected that I will be dancing with someone... with Janus in a bloody and vulnerable state.

It still feels like yesterday when I felt his weight falling to me. It's like yesterday when I felt him... lose his breath. It still feel like yesterday when I held him in my arms... bloody and lifeless.

Hindi ko na alam ang mga sunod na naganap no'n dahil nawalan ako ng malay. I just knew that I woke up at the hospital, seeing the worried glances of my family. I woke up without him.

"Yara, anak... gising ka na..." mahinang bulong ni Mama Kali nang makita ang pagmulat ko. She was crying as she approached me.

"M-Mama..." I whispered. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang mainit na yakap ng nanay ko. A tear fell down from my  eyes as I hugged my mothet back.

"Anak, may masakit ba sa 'yo? Anong nararamdaman mo? Sabihin kay Mama," she cupped my cheeks with her eyes producing tears. My heart aches seeing my mother's restless face. Ang pag-aalala sa mukha ng ina ay nagpapadurog sa puso ko.

"M-Ma..." I muttered. I noticed my father entering the room and when our eyes met, I saw how tears fell from my father's eyes.

"P-Papa," tawag ko at wala pang ilang segundo, naramdaman ko na ang yakap ni Papa sa akin.

My father, who rarely cries, is now sobbing so loud while hugging me.

Ilang minuto bago kami tumahan. They helped me to sit and rest my back in the pillows. Hawak ni Mama ang kamay ko habang si Papa ay nakaakbay sa akin.

I looked around and suddenly remembered someone. Mabilis akong napaayos ng upo kaya napatingin sa akib ang mga magulang ko.

"M-Ma, Pa, si... si Janus..." The mention of his name is enough to make my brain remember what happened.

It aches my heart upon remembering how we danced despite his bloody and weak state.

"N-Nasaan po si Janus? Gusto ko po siyang makita, p-please!" I desperately looked at my parents, only to see them avoiding my gaze.

"Mama, Papa, nasaan po si Janus?"

The look on their faces are giving fear on my system. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi maganda ang kalalabasan ng sagot nila. Natatakot ako sa kung anong nangyari kay Janus.

He's fine, right?

"Papa..." I held my father's hand. I saw how his gaze dropped and a sigh so deep came out from his mouth. "Papa, n-nasaan po si Janus? Duguan po siya kaya gusto ko pong malaman ang lagay niya. Nasaan po siya?"