Trapped (Amorist Series #1)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Faith helps people conquer fear but it is the cause of mine.

'Cause some of my anticipations are built of expectations, that are made by insecurities.

What Azrael said the other day and what I saw in that parking lot kept me awake at night. They may be friends but what if Kale has feelings for her? He's rich, kind, and a gentleman. I even heard my co-students talk about how lucky Audelia will be if they are together.

Tunog dismayado rin sila na magkaibigan lang sila Audy. Hindi ko mapigilang mangamba na baka gano'n din ang iniisip ng iba. Na isang kawalan kay Audy kapag ako nakatuluyan niya

Baka nga nagtataka rin sila kung bakit pumayag siyang manligaw ako. Kasi sino ba naman ako 'di ba? Estudyante lang ako, hindi mayaman, tapos wala pang pwedeng maibuga.

Nakakapanlumo.

I mean, people value somebody not based on their worth as a human, but based on their net worth.

On my way to our first subject. Like yesterday, it feels like everybody's eyes are on me, that what I do is wrong, that they judge my steps, the way I walk, or even the way I breathe. I feel like a lot of people are silently judging me. It made me watch everything that I do 'cause they do the same thing.

I must always straighten my back, maintain a good posture, and brush my hair constantly. It made me feel like I am only seen but not valued.

Audelia, she's definitely the definition of luxury. Her jewelries, accessories, and branded clothes, it screams her lifestyle and it's nothing compared to mine.

A loud laugh of a bunch of my own co-students echoed in the hallway, some of them turned their gazes towards me.

Umiwas ako ng tingin pero ramdam ko pa rin ang mga titig nila. Pinagtatawanan ba nila ako? Hinuhusgahan?

Mabilis ang aking hakbang palayo, lumiko ako at sa hindi ko inaasahan ay muli na naman akong may nabangga. Nahulog lahat ng libro na hawak niya sa sahig, tiyak na meron na naman magagalit sa 'kin.

Lumuhod ako at nanginginig na pinulot ang mga libro, may inabot siyang panyo. Tinignan ko 'yon at inangat ang tingin, doon ko lang nalaman na si Miss Elena pala ang nabangga ko.

"This might be the second time you bumped into me." Ngumiti siya. Sa lahat ng nabangga ko siya lang ang natutuwa. Pinulot ko muli ang iba pang libro, lumuhod siya at siya na mismo ang pumunas ng mga pawis ko sa noo. Natuod ako.

"You look pale. . ." she said with so much condor. "Are you okay?" She slightly leaned.

Napalunok ako ng dalawang beses at marahan na tumango, my heart beats dramatically like I've done some cardio for about an hour. Ngumiti siya ng matamis at kinuha ang mga libro sa kamay ko, nilagay niya ang panyo sa kamay ko.

"Use that," sabay kaming tumayo. "We're going to the clinic."

"P-po?" Napakurap ako ng ilang beses.

She sighed. "We're going to the clinic,"

"Bakit po?"

"Did you eat?" Lumapit siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko, ilang beses niya itong tinaas baba na para bang tinitignan kung may lakas ako. "I guess you didn't."

"Kumain po ako." Binawi ko ang kamay mula sa pagkakahawak niya. Ang totoo niyan ay hindi, wala akong gana kumain.

For the first time, she arched her brow.

She eyed me from head to toe, then her face softened. "Anxiety?" Bumigat ang dibdib ko.

I lowered my head. Hinila niya 'ko papalapit sa kaniya dahilan para ang mukha ko ay nasa shoulder na niya. I can smell her scent, it smells like caramel. She hugged me with her one hand, she caressed my back. A warmth appeared on my chest, nais kong maiyak.